Kingdom Piety: Fasting Matthew 6:16-18
I. What is fasting? Abstaining from food for a period because an issue is so urgent you set aside 
     bodily appetites & humble yourself to focus on God.
II. How long? 40 days- Moses went without food or water twice (Deut. 9:9,18). Jesus fasted from food at 
     the beginning of His ministry (Lk. 4:2). Elijah (I Kings 19:8); 3 weeks- Daniel had a partial fast for 3 
     weeks (Dan. 10:3); 7 days- (1 Sam. 31:13, 2 Sam.12:16-18; 3 days – (Esther 4:16); The usual time was 
     from morning until evening (Judges 20:26, 1 Sam. 14:24, 2 Sam. 1:12).
III. How often? 
 1) Jews were commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27-32- “humble your souls”). This 
     was from evening of the 9th- evening of the 10th day of 7th month. 
 2) With the feast of Purim there was fasting & celebration (Esther 9:31). After the destruction of temple 4 
     -fast days were remembered (Zech. 7:3-5, 8:19). Tied in with the destruction of the temple (2 Kings 
     25:9, Jer. 52:12,13), murder of Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:22-26), beginning of the siege of Jerusalem (2 
     Kings 25:1), the fall of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:3,4). 
 3) Pharisees fasted twice a week (Lk. 18:12, Monday & Thursday). The Didache exhorted Tuesday & 
     Friday for early church. 
 4) Jesus’ Disciples did not fast while He was here, but did after His departure (Matt. 9:14,15).
IV. Why did people fast?
1) Non-religious fasts: Some were so overcome emotionally they didn’t eat (1 Sam. 1:7, 20:34, 1 Kings 
    21:4, Acts 27:33). On some of Paul’s journeys, he did not have food (2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27).
 2) Mourning for someone’s death (Saul- 1Sam. 31:13, 2 Sam. 1:11,12)
 3) Seeking someone else’s well-being (Ps 35:13, 2 Sam. 12:16), Matt. 17:21- deliverance from a demon 
     (mss. question)
 4) Seeking aid & protection- possible crisis (Ezra 8:21-23)
 5) Facing a crisis/great temptation, 2 Chron. 20:1-5= national fast, Matt. 4:2= individual, Jesus- Matt. 4:2 
     (the devil’s OR the Father’s agenda).
 6). In the midst of a crisis, disaster struck (Neh. 1:4f, Dan. 9:3). God’s intervention was crucial.
 7) Showing repentance (community- 1 Sam. 7:6, Joel 1:14, 2:12,15-17, Jonah 3:5, individual- 1 Kings 
     21;27, Acts 9:9). Fasting without a commitment to justice & righteousness is meaningless (Is. 58:3-9).
 8) As a pietistic habit (Lk. 2:37), Anna, Matt. 6:16-18 is general and fits this & other categories.
 9) Seeking God’s will & God’s Blessing (Acts 13:2,3, 14:23)
10) Waiting on God to reveal Himself (Deut. 9:9, Acts 9:9)
V. What part should fasting have in our lives?
 1) Jesus assumed His disciples would fast v 16 “whenever” (9:14,15)
 2) His concern was not to draw attention to it by looking sad or neglecting hygiene; washing & oil were 
     normal steps of hygiene. (Morris) “The Rabbis forbade washing on the Day of Atonement… They 
     similarly forbade anointing”.  Sometimes sackcloth & ashes accompanied fasting.
 3) Usually fasting & prayer go together: be focused on the reason(s) why you are fasting: crisis, decision, 
     repentance, closer walk. Consider writing it down. When you normally eat- pray. Let your hunger 
     pangs be a reminder that you are seeking God concerning a particular issue.
 4) It is not a means of manipulating God: getting your way when pray is not enough. 
 5) As long as it is not for attention, a church or group might agree to seek God in this way.
 6) There will be a battle with the flesh: irritability, concentration, weakness but it can foster repentance & 
     humble dependence. Your mental & spiritual facilities will be more sensitive to God.
 7) Fasting in other areas to pursue God has its place (I Cor. 7:5), but beware of ascetic extremes.
 8) Fasting as a pietistic practice is wise, but there are no commands as far as frequency.
 9) “Father who see in secret will reward you”- with answers & provision for what you are seeking.