When you stop and think of it, one of the strangest customs religious people do is fast. Fasting is the act of going without food and/or water for a certain period of time. Most conservative religions endorse fasting, yet almost no one really understands fasting and the benefits to be derived from it.

Fasting is an extremely ancient practice that God encourages throughout the Bible. And yet it is a curious custom that begs the question, "Why?" Why fast? What is it supposed to do? What is its purpose and what instructions does God want us to follow when doing it?

In Joel 2:12, God told Israel: "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." And in Matthew 9:15, Jesus explained to the Pharisees why His disciples didn't fast while He was yet with them but that "the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."

But does fasting necessarily humble an individual before God? The Pharisees fasted often and yet they weren't humble before God! Some of them fasted even twice a week and yet John the Baptist couldn't baptize them because of their unrepentant pride!

"Fasting brings us closer to God" is another stock remark. But the Israelites fasted regularly and God said He didn't even hear them! In Isaiah 58, they are seen as fasting and wondering aloud why God took no notice! In Jeremiah 14:12, God declared against Judah that "when they fast, I will not hear their cry." God didn't seem to see them in their fasting! Does going without food and water bring you closer to God? Does skipping four or five meals automatically humble you in God's sight? Not at all!

We need to look into the whole matter of fasting because this act is actually one of the most powerful acts we can ever do -- if we do it correctly! So what do we need to know?

The Bible clearly shows fasting is to be the temporary absence of eating and drinking in order to worship God. It's also referred to in scripture as "afflicting one's soul" (Isa. 58:5).

Another aspect that must not be overlooked is that fasting is a prayer enhancer. It is always used in conjunction with prayer and serves to intensify its impact on God. (Ezra 8:23; Dan. 9:3). But there is considerable variation in the modes of fasting found in the pages of the Bible.

Sometimes 40-day fasts are mentioned, such as those of Moses, Elijah and Jesus. In the case of Moses, both of his forty-day fasts were without food and water. It's possible in the cases of Elijah and Jesus, however, that they went without food only. It records in 1 Kings 19:8 that Elijah went 40 days on the food he had just eaten, not specifically the drink; and in Matthew, Jesus is described as hungry at the end of His 40-day fast, not thirsty, perhaps indicating that water had still been part of His fast -- an absolute necessity for humans, barring divine intervention. On the other hand, maybe we're too rigid in our understanding of the words, "food" and "hungry": Perhaps abstention from water was understood, for it is difficult to believe that Moses went 40 days without food and water without Christ doing the same.

David fasted seven days on account of his newborn son's illness, while it's possible Job's three friends fasted for Job a similar length of time (i.e., the combined acts of mourning, rending clothes, and pouring dust frequently are associated with fasting in the Old Testament). Certainly the Israelites fasted seven days upon the death of their first king, Saul. Whether these fasts excluded water we'll never know. Nowadays, the human body cannot go that many days without water before death ensues -- an important point to remember!

For single-day fasts of the Bible, neither food or water was taken. This would include the fast on the Day of Atonement and the fast relating to Nineveh's repentance mentioned in the Book of Jonah.

But the Bible also records even shorter fasts. In these cases the fast was simply a large portion of a day -- even just the nighttime hours (Judg. 20:21-23 & 24-26; I Sam. 7:6; Dan. 6:18). Upon close examination, these were food- and water-restricted fasts.

Possibly another kind of fast is testified to in Daniel 10:3, where Daniel mourned three full weeks, eating no pleasant food and no meat or wine. It appears he may have consumed simple food and water. The Bible doesn't call this a fast, but it had the same purpose of one -- to get closer to God and find out the answers to some important questions that had been bothering him.

And therein lies a major lesson about fasting. Regardless of formal or less formal circumstances, there is a greater purpose underlying fasting than simply marking off a period of time without eating. The overall purpose of fasting is to get God's attention for an urgent request, for divine intervention. Make no mistake: a certain prescribed time period is important sometimes, as with the Day of Atonement -- the fast is to extend from "even unto even," from sunset to sunset. This is a holy period of time marked off by God and having His presence in it. It is not within our prerogative to shorten it or extend it.

But with voluntary fasts, there is no sanctified time period stipulated in the Bible. The format and length here is not as important as the overall purpose -- to get God's attention for an urgent request. Fasting is required of all of us, of that you can be sure; but God doesn't want us worshipping Him mindlessly. We should know what fasting does, why it works, and how it gets results.

(1) We purposely choose to truly "afflict our souls" -- our bodies -- and God particularly hears the voice of the afflicted. "For He hears the cry of the afflicted" (Job 34:28). When we correct ourselves with sincere motives, we draw God's attention. He wants to know why we are in pain! Why we have purposely brought suffering upon ourselves! Psalm 107 repeatedly shows how God rescues people from distresses and affliction upon their "hunger and thirst" (v. 5), "their soul abhorring all manner of food" (v. 18). In fact "He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock" (v. 41). Such is the loving kindness of our heavenly Father! (v. 43)

But don't confuse this with self-flagellation. Self- flagellation is the whipping or beating of oneself as a supposed act of humility in worship. This is a self-styled act of chastening, not a biblical one. It does not get God's attention because it is totally inward-oriented and self-seeking -- even when it's not done publicly. And you would actually be guilty of tempting God if you did it, because it purposely harms the human body, something God does not endorse.

Fasting God's way, however, is a natural act of mourning. Even irreligious people are temporarily repelled by food and water when extraordinary circumstances upset their lives. Animals, too, frequently eschew food when sick, grieving, or traumatized. Proper spiritual fasting is not harmful to the body when done over a short period of time -- say one to three days.

Individuals who have medical conditions that might threaten their health when fasting can certainly fast with water. Again, the purpose is simply to afflict the body in order to get God's attention, not to injure yourself.

(2) We willingly and totally renounce the ultimate in material comfort -- food and nourishment -- for the express purpose of getting God to listen to our urgent prayers.

"Feed me with the food allotted to me, lest I be full and deny You and say, `Who is the LORD?'..." (Prov.30:8- 9). Do you see the tendency to deny God -- even become slightly removed from Him -- when we are richly nourished and sumptuously fed? Therefore, when we deny ourselves food and nourishment for a short duration, we resist the tendency to deny God. In fact, we show Him how desirous we are of embracing Him, of seeking Him with an unquenchable thirst, starving for His undivided attention -- His intervention. "As the deer pants for the water brook, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Ps. 42:1- 2).These are appropriate words for one who is fasting!

(3) If done in the right attitude, fasting shows God we are willing to chasten ourselves on our own initiative -- to correct ourselves and root out any wrong attitudes.

Fasting is self- punishment that has God's approval. That's what "afflict our souls" means. And "if we judge ourselves we have no need of God to judge us." God appreciates this willingness on our part to chasten ourselves with hunger and suffering. It is a temporary form of suffering that makes us perfect. Jesus also was made perfect through suffering!

By fasting, we are showing God we are willing to humble ourselves before Him and admit our errors. Fasting without this contrition is totally ineffective. Fasting done in self-righteousness does not draw God's intervention. This is why God condemned Israel's fasting in Old Testament times and why Jesus condemned the Pharisees' fasting in the New Testament. The aim of fasting is to humble oneself, to abase oneself before God. The object here is to admit your own shortcomings, not others. You are not to fast with an attitude of patting yourself on the back, thinking how much more God must love you than others around you who don't fast! Even wicked King Ahab, Jezebel's husband, was given a reprieve by God because of his humility through fasting (I Kings 21:27).

Don't boast on account of your fasting abilities! If you fast a day and feel no physical effect whatsoever, go a second day until you do feel it! Remember, the purpose of fasting is to afflict yourself. If you do not feel so bad after a one-day fast, it doesn't make you more righteous than others. It just means that you need to go a little longer to get the same feeling or sensation of affliction.

Again, we must remember that this chastening of our bodies is only supposed to be temporary, not extended. We are not to endanger our health and bring God's wrath upon us for tempting Him!

This gets His attention as much as it does ours! Even if we get tired, hungry, or weak, fasting painfully serves to remind us of why we are tired, hungry, and weak: to focus our hearts and minds on God and get His attention for an urgent request.

As you can see, there's a lot more to fasting than meets the eye at first. Don't underestimate the power of this spiritual act. It really strengthens our ties to God and His Holy Spirit. Even the most stubborn demons can be exorcised from possessed people after "much prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). It was after His baptism by John that Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness and subsequently began preaching the Kingdom of God with signs and wonders following Him! Not before fasting, but after fasting did the signs and wonders occur! Paul's apostleship and ministry was preceded by prayer and fasting -- and look how powerful it was.

The important thing is to fast unto God. Don't go out of your way to let men see that you are fasting. Jesus warned against this in Matthew 6. Keep yourself well-groomed so that you only appear to God to fast, not to men. And God, who is invisible, will reward you openly!

It is very important not to argue or fight with anyone while you fast. Don't harbor grudges or the like, but forgive everyone around you. If you're caught up in any sort of bad attitude or sinful habit, flee from these like the plague! Make sure that you don't hide yourself from your own family when you fast.

Practice kindness and mercy with any of the poor you come in contact with -- feed them and clothe them if it lies within your power. Remember, there but for the grace of God, goes you! Help and serve everyone you can on your fast day, including the sick and unfortunate.

Your mind must to be focused on God. This takes significant blocks of time and effort. You can't be involved in some work project and effectively fast to God! You need time to talk to Him, to pray, and to meditate. Remember, fasting is a prayer enhancer! You can't be so busy that you don't have time to pray.

So while the ideal fast day is not a day to be a recluse, it is also not a day to fill your schedule with every possible chore and responsibility known to man. Free up lots of time to pray, meditate, and mourn, all the while appearing good-natured and pleasant to your family and friends. Remember, you are to appear to God to fast, not men.

Fast when you are in the throes of conflict, anxiety, or suffering; when you have a major decision to make and need God's direct guidance. When you are caught up in some situation and needs some emergency help; when you are scattered from other brethren in God's true church and feel alone and depressed; when you feel you are far from God or encumbered with care and losing interest in Him and His purpose. These are just a few of the times you must fast.

Don't fast to rejoice although you might have already guessed this anyway! Christ confirmed this when the Pharisees asked Him why His disciples didn't fast. Jesus explained that the friends of the bridegroom do not mourn while the bridegroom is still with them. Mourning is clearly associated with fasting in this passage, and it was only after the bridegroom was taken away that His disciples would mourn. Then, and not until then, would they fast. Until then, it would not be necessary. The overall purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God. How could Jesus' disciples have gotten closer to God than they were at that time? They actually walked and talked with God -- Jesus Christ Himself! It was only after His departure that they would need to mourn or fast.

You should not fast on a feast day. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem and wept with repentance and remorse upon hearing the words of the Law read to them Ezra had to tell them to go out and feast despite their sorrowing! (Neh. 8:8-10) They were not allowed to fast because it was a feast day they were to observe. They were to rejoice! They were "to eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those who had none." They were not to sorrow.

It is sometimes necessary to fast on a weekly Sabbath, even though it, too, is normally a day to rejoice. Sometimes it is the only day in which God's people around the world can fast together, at one time. And certainly any of the fasts mentioned in the Bible that went on longer than a week involved fasting on the Sabbath.

Strangely enough, you don't fast to thank God. Again, fasting is associated with mourning and chastening ourselves, as well as getting God's attention for some urgent request. Being thankful is something that we can and should be doing every day of our lives, and if you wish, you can dedicate a Sabbath for this purpose. But don't afflict yourself to thank God!

Afflict yourself for some urgent reason or special request. Your prayers on fast days certainly should contain an abundance of thanks, but this is never the express purpose of a fast.

Some preparation may help you fast more effectively. While the very nature of fasting is to afflict your body, you don't have to be overly generous here! You can prepare for the fast in such a way that your body is gently introduced to the temporary deprivation of food and water. Avoid dehydrating foods immediately prior to fasting to ease the transition considerably. Such foods might include coffee or cola drinks, pepper, sugar, and hot food. Alcohol, too, can have an adverse effect. Concentrate on increasing your intake of plain water during the day or hours immediately preceding the beginning of your fast. After several fasts, you'll discover your own best method of preparation.

Fasting is the Church of God's best-kept secret! When the Bible's directions for this act of worship are properly heeded, it becomes the greatest tool to empower each of us. God is particularly mindful of His chosen and faithful servants and responds to their prayers utterly unlike he responds to others' prayers. Oh, He definitely hears the prayers of others, don't get me wrong. He even sometimes intervenes for them dramatically. But God's people are His elect! They are chosen vessels unto Him to do His work in a world steeped in darkness! He has called them out from among millions on this planet! You bet He hears their prayers, and even more so on fast days.

It is our duty and opportunity to draw close to Him every now and then in fasting and prayer. Our prayers must be heard. We must be effective as God's chosen instruments! We need His miraculous, divine intervention to perform God's will over the entirety of this earth!

Fasting is a wonderful analogy to mail. When you send a letter to someone, you can be reasonably assured that it will reach its destination. This is akin to your daily prayers to God.

But when you need to send an urgent message and you wish to be absolutely certain it gets there, you use registered mail, don't you? This is a metaphor for fasting. Fasting acts as a registered letter for prayer! You can be absolutely certain your prayer goes where it's supposed to go when you fast for the right reasons.

Don't be filled with doubts or disappointments just because you don't get an answer right away. After all, you don't necessarily get an immediate response from a letter sent by registered mail either, and yet you know for sure it got there. God has heard you; you've gotten the message through loud and clear! Now wait and let Him respond according to His perfect sense of timing. This is the part that takes real faith! The prime reason so many people don't reap the benefits of fasting is that they lack faith.

Read the following passages in the Psalms: 10:1; 13:1; 22:1-2,19; 28:1; 42:9-10; 43:2; 44:23; 69:3; 74:1; 77:7; and 88:14. All of these scriptures question God's timing and His slowness to intervene.

Even David's patience wore thin at times, and he was a man after God's own heart! But these passages also testify to God's never-failing intervention. This is what you must realize when you are fasting. Usually you don't need to see answers either during or right after your fast. God hears you when you fast. Just wait patiently and confidently and let Him act at the appropriate time -- whenever that is! But remember, He has heard you! You don't need to doubt that for a moment. As that old time-worn saying has it: "God may delay but He doesn't deny!" Your fasting has intensified your prayers making sure they got to Him by "registered mail."

Take another look at fasting. Are you sitting on some of God's truth you have previously underestimated? Do you truly realize what priceless spiritual riches come from this righteous act?

The men and women of God in former times knew something about the true powers of fasting that we have lost today. We must recapture the knowledge they had about this valuable tool! The potential to develop fruits of the Spirit are limitless! It is the only way God's end time work will have the global impact that has been prophesied!