Guide to Fasting

Four Types of Fasts

1.  Complete fast
Complete fast from all solid foods only drinking liquids to stay hydrated.  (Always ask your doctor before starting a fast.)
2.  Selective fast
Removing certain foods from your diet.  Examples might be bread, sugar, soda, dairy...
3.  Partial fast
Fasting one meal of the day.  Intermittent fasting would fall into this category.
4.  Soul fast
Depriving yourself of pleasures for a time.  Examples are social media, TV, movies, video games...

Nine Fasts in the Bible

1.  To prepare for ministry
Matthew 4:1-17, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-14
2.  To seek God's wisdom
Acts 14:23
3.  To seek God's power for protection
Ezra 8:21-23
4.  To express grief and to mourn
Nehemiah 1:2-4, 2 Samuel 1:12
5.  To repent and return to God
Jonah 3:10, Deuteronomy 9:18
6.  To seek God's power for victory
Judges 20:26-36
7.  To worship God
Luke 2:37-38
8.  To seek God's favor in desperate situations
Esther 4:16
9.  To engage in spiritual warfare
Ephesians 6:10-12, 18-20

"There's nothing magic or spiritually powerful in the act of fasting by itself.  Fasting simply clears everything else away so that you can channel all aspects of yourself solely on God." - Chris Hodges