Types of Fasting

Christian fasting is voluntary and a spiritual decision between a person and God. So as you consider fasting, we want to encourage you to listen to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to lead you in your journey. Whether you choose to fast for one day or several days, the point is to humble yourself in a new way and draw near to God. Here are sixx ways to fast that we find in Scripture:

Normal Fast - A normal fast involves abstaining from all food, but not from water. To abstain from food but to drink water or other liquids is the most common kind of Christian fast.

Partial Fast - A partial fast is a limitation of the diet, but not abstention from all food. An example of a partial fast would be the instance when t Daniel and three other Jewish young men had only “vegetables to eat and water to drink” for 10 days (Daniel 1:12). Historically, Christians have observed partial fasts by eating much smaller portions of food than usual for a certain time and/or eating only a few simple foods.

Absolute Fast - An absolute fast is the avoidance of all food and liquid, even water. When Esther requested that the Jews fast and pray before she went to see the King, she said, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day” (Esther 4:16). After the apostle Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:9 tells us, “for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Private Fast - A private fast is what Jesus was speaking of in Matthew 6, when he said that we should fast in a way not to be noticed by others. Though done outside the view of people, God certainly sees and promises to reward those who seek Him this way.

Small Group Fast - Fasting can also be a group exercise done together as a shared commitment. Consider the example found in Acts 13:1-3: "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Congregational Fast -A fast can be practiced by an entire congregation of God’s people as well. The example in the book of Esther has already been said but also Nehemiah 9:1 describes a fast by the entire nation of Israel.