by Billy Wilson
FASTING
IN THE NEW YEAR
It is increasingly common for Christians to take part in the spiritual discipline of fasting at the
beginning of a new year. What are the biblical principles of fasting? Why should believers fast?
A
FEW YEARS AGO, I visited a live without television, the Internet, our selves. The human body has been known

prayer mountain in Korea favorite music, or our favorite hobby, but to survive over 60 days without food, but
where the entire facility we can live for only so long without food. depending on the environment, it can
was devoted to prayer and As we sacrifice that which we enjoy so only survive from three to seven days
fasting. People came by the much and that is basic to our survival, we without water.
busloads to fast for one, three, seven, 21, move into a dependence on God which The extended fast. This is a fast of long
and 40 days. The atmosphere was power- allows Him to invade our hearts with His duration, usually beyond 10 days. It
ful and humbling as so many Christians supernatural provision. includes the drinking of water and per-
were seeking God fervently. haps other liquids such as natural juices.
Some of the early Protestant writers,
There Are Many
When one is able to get past the initial
including John Wesley, believed it was a sin
Kinds of Fasts
pain of this type of fast, the strength of
not to fast, just as it would be wrong for a The water or normal fast. This seems God’s presence is amazing.
Christian to never pray. Wesley reportedly to be the most typical in both biblical Juice-only fasts. Many physicians rec-
said, “One who never fasts will no more and Christian history. This type of fast ommend juice fasts as a means to restor-
enter heaven than one who never prays.” includes drinking only water, with no ative health and cleansing of the body.
I am not sure we can go this far on nourishment from food or other drinks. In a juice fast, the body detoxifies itself
the evidence of Scripture, but we can In my opinion, this is the best type of fast and cleanses itself of impurities, as well as
state emphatically that a Christian who to pursue, especially for a period of three going into limited ketosis, which breaks
has never fasted has missed a significant to 21 days. Breakthroughs are significant, down fat cells for energy.
step in his or her walk with Christ. There and the purity of the experience brings I believe that juices are allowed during
is greater grace for victory over the flesh true discipline before the Lord. times of fasting, and we should not be
and released power for service for those Drinking ample water during this type legalistic in this regard. This is a matter of
who seek Him with all their heart. of fast is very important. I recommend bot- conscience and commitment between the
tled or distilled water to reduce any unwant- person fasting and the Lord. If partaking
Fasting Is Doing
ed chemicals from entering your body. of a juice fast, only 100 percent natural
Without Eating
The absolute (or emergency) fast. In juices should be used because of the effect
I know individuals who have sacri- this fast, no food or liquid—including processed sugar has on the body.
ficed watching television, surfing the water—is consumed. This kind of fast was The partial (or Daniel) fast. The partial
Internet, listening to music, participating followed before Esther risked her life to fast is practiced by severely limiting food
in some enjoyable activity, and sleeping see the king (Esther 4:14-16). Saul of Tar- intake. This is the type of fast Daniel and
in order to use their time in radical ways sus participated in an absolute fast after three other Hebrew young men partici-
to express their desire for the Lord. All of encountering Jesus on the road to Damas- pated in while they were held captive in
these sacrifices have been honorable, but cus. This was a time of total desperation Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
in the strictest sense, they were not fast- and dependence on God. Paul needed his nego joined Daniel in a plan for main-
ing. Fasting is doing without food. eyesight. He needed direction. So he did taining their Hebrew diet, and thus their
When we give up food to seek the not eat or drink for three days. purity. Daniel requested the Babylonian
Lord, we are releasing something that Those who participate in absolute fasts in charge to give them pulse (lentils or
is critical to our very survival. We can must be careful to avoid injuring them- beans) to eat and water to drink for 10
22 EVANGEL • JAN 2010
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