Fasting is intentionally going without something in order to better connect with God, such as to focus on prayer or to seek his leading when making a decision.
Typically, fasting is going without food for a period of time. The length of time could be for one meal up to several days. But don’t attempt a prolonged fast without first receiving instruction on how to appropriately do so.
Sometimes people will fast from certain foods or categories of food. Other types of fasts are more general, such as abstaining from a certain activity or pursuit.
The important thing in any fast is to do it for the right reasons. Fasting for the wrong purpose will accomplish little. Isaiah talked about fasting with the proper attitude and motives (Isaiah 58:3-14).
Fasting is one of several spiritual disciplines that are found in the Bible.
Key verse about Fasting: On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads (Nehemiah 9:1, NIV).
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
