Fasting is a sacred and special sacrifice; it is for the Lord, not for human approval or notice. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus cautions those who choose to fast for human admiration and approval, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Please understand the spirit of Jesus' message. He is not saying that absolutely no one should know when we are fasting. In fact, it is very important to have a trusted Christian friend or a network of Christian friends who can pray for you while you are fasting. Jesus is cautioning against fasting for the approval and notice of man, just as He cautions against giving for sheer spectacle.

Below, in chronological order, is a representation of those who fasted in the Bible, but it is not a complete or exhaustive list.

Moses

(Exodus 34:28), in a 40-day radical fast (no food or water), sustained by the Lord as he received the 10 commandments

The Israelites

(Judges 20:26-27), in a corporate fast, to seek the Lord's guidance

(Nehemiah 9:1), in a corporate fast, confessing their sins and worshiping the Lord

(1 Samuel 7:6), led by Samuel in a corporate and intercessory fast, repenting for their sins

King David

(2 Samuel 12:16), in intercession for his ill son

(Psalm 35:13) in mourning and intercession for the illness of others

(Psalm 69:10) in humble repentance, asking God for personal mercy and restoration

Elijah

(1 Kings 19:8) in a 40-day radical fast, prompted and sustained by the Lord

Ezra

(Ezra 8:21-23), in humble petition before the Lord

Esther

(Esther 4:16), in a three-day fast, accompanied by fasting intercessors, as she sought the Lord's favor in interceding for the Jews

The Ninevites and the King of Nineveh

(Jonah 3:5-10), in a corporate fast, earnestly repenting of their evil ways

Jesus

(Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:2), in preparation for His earthly ministry

New Testament Leaders and Prophets

(Acts 13:1-3), in worship of the Lord before He instructed them to set apart Barnabus and Saul for His designated missionary appointment

Paul and Barnabus

(Acts 14:23), in committing the appointed church elders to the Lord

There are four basic kinds of fasts: absolute, radical, normal, and partial. Below is a brief explanation of each as well as additional important information.

Absolute fast- No food or liquid (not even water) is consumed. Supernatural sustenance is necessary. An absolute fast is VERY, VERY RARE AND VERY, VERY DANGEROUS unless the Lord has specifically and unquestionably called you to this type of divinely protected and sustained fast.

Radical fast- Only water is consumed. A radical fast is also rare and not recommended for long periods of time unless the Lord has specifically and unquestionably called you to this type of fast.

Normal fast- No food is consumed; liquids include water, clear broths, and fruit and vegetable juices.

Partial fast- Some foods and drinks are sacrificed; for example, processed foods, sugary foods, and caffeinated beverages may be eliminated from your daily intake. A Daniel fast (see "Biblical Types of Fasts" link) is an example of a partial fast.

Those whom He calls to absolute and radical fasts (Moses, Elijah, Jesus) are sought for extreme and divine purposes. One who is radically fasting consumes only water; one who fasts an absolute fast ingests nothing - neither food nor water. We do encourage you to test the Spirit (Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1) for confirmation as you sense a call to fast, especially for a radical fast. We do not recommend an absolute fast unless you are absolutely certain that the Lord is calling you to completely abstain from food and drink; biblical heroes who were called to an absolute fast were divinely anointed and supernaturally sustained for the duration of their fast. It is a rare person whom God calls to a radical fast; rarer still is the one He calls for an absolute fast.

More commonly, those convicted to fast undertake a normal fast where no solid foods are consumed, and physical sustenance is provided by broths, and fruit and vegetable juices. Others may participate in a partial fast where some foods and drinks are sacrificed (processed foods, sugary foods, and caffeinated beverages, for example).

As always, we at Trumpet and Torch recommend that you consult your physician before beginning any type of fast. We especially urge you to consult the Great Physician for His discernment and guidance. Expectant mothers, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical concerns may participate in the spirit of fasting while still receiving essential physical nourishment.

In the account of Jesus' desert temptation, both Matthew and Luke record that, at the end of His 40-day fast, "He was hungry". Jesus, fully man and fully God, experienced every emotion and sensation as His children do: hunger, weakness, tiredness. The significant difference, of course, is that even in His weakened state, Jesus perfectly avoided temptation and sin. He did so by completely relying on the Word of God. Jesus knows that you will feel weak, hungry, sick, and even afraid at times, but He will sustain you in ways you never thought possible. To receive that sustenance, you must persevere in trust and faithfulness.

"Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4)