Fasting: Definition: A voluntary commitment not to eat for a designated length of time in order to privately (as an individually) or publically (as a church) to humble ourselves before the Lord, allowing him to demonstrate his power and grace in our lives.

Hebrew: Lit. "Cover mouth"

Greek: Lit. "Negative eat"

voluntary: purity and simplicity of motive

*When should I not eat?

1. Over serious matters of illness: 2 Sam. 12:16,21,23

2. When the man of God sees the need. A great national deliverance in battle is needed - 2 Chron. 20:3; Esther 4:16

3. When we need to know the will of the Lord for our children and us - Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 10:30

4. When God’s people need rededication or during a time of repentance - Joel 2:12-15; Jonah 3:5

5. When a nations leader dies: 2 Sam. 1:12

6. When sending out missionaries and elders prior to missionaries leaving - Acts 13:1-3; 14:23

7. When we need God’s blessing to return (ark): Judge 20:26

8. During times of great calamity: Neh. 1:4; Ps. 109:24

9. When humility is needed: Ps. 35:13

10. When friends are in deep trouble: Dan. 6:18

11. Under special circumstances with abstinence: I Cor. 7:5

1. In secret as an individual: Matt. 6:16-18; Zech. 7:5

2. When dealing with strong demonic forces: Matt. 17:21; Mark 9:29

3. There is a time to fast: Luke 5:33-35

4. Don’t promote yourself: Luke 18:12

*How long should I fast?

3 days - Esther 4:16

40 Moses, Jesus, David - 2 Sam. 12:16