Types of Fasts

What Is the Daniel Fast?

Daniel abstained from meat, bread, wine, and oils for his skin for 21 days (Daniel 10:3; Daniel 9:3).

These would have been things that satisfied Daniel, good food, and relief from dried skin. He abstained after being captured and brought to Babylon. It was likely the royal food was not kosher according to Daniel’s customs. When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and other young Israelite men were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s service, they were to be given food and wine from the king’s table while undergoing a three-year training program. “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8). 

What Is a Partial Fast?

A partial fast is also known as a three-day spiritual fast. We see examples of Daniel and his friends eating veggies, fruit, and drinking water for ten days. They used this fast to honor God while in captivity. Others fasted using different lengths of time and how. This fast could last from part of a day to an entire day to several days or weeks (Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12; Ezra 8:21-23; Jonah 3:5-9).

What Is a Liquid Fast?

In this type of fast, there is no intake of solid foods. All food is replaced with liquids. Liquids can be consumed at any time. Make sure that you drink plenty of water, and you may also include fruit juices, vegetable juices, herbal teas, smoothies, smooth soups, and broth.

What Is a 40-Day Fast?

A complete fast is no food or water for a certain length of time. Jesus and Moses took it to the extreme. Both fasted for 40 days. (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2).

What Is a Fast from Sex?

Before men went to war in biblical times, they sometimes abstained from sex wither their wives to fast. The New Testament also reveals to us that abstaining from sex (to fast) is a good thing to do when a couple decides on it together (1 Corinthians 7:5). This type of fast from pleasurable things short-circuits our tendency to lose appreciation for them. No matter how good something makes us feel, over time we take it for granted and lose the thrill.

What Is a Fast from Social Media, TV, Spending Money?

Sometimes the world gets a grip on us. Picking up our phones instead of our Bibles. Turning to wine instead of Christ to help us unwind. Zoning out on Netflix for hours on end instead of going to God with what we’re trying to numb ourselves from. I truly believe this is the enemy’s best and greatest tactic—to get us to turn to anything or anyone except Christ. Fasting from these things on a regular basis brings the presence of God back into focus. One can fast from any of these for any period of time.

Things to Avoid while Fasting and Praying 

Fasting is not about weight loss or causing health complications or marriage issues. Anytime a fast is being seriously considered, look at the calendar to ensure you won’t be doing anything to jeopardize your fast. It’s not a good idea to fast while taking the family to Disney World. It’s not a good idea of fast from sex unless you have the support of your partner. While you fast:

-       Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs, and homeopathic remedies.

-       Medication should be withdrawn only with your doctor’s supervision.

-       Limit your activity. Exercise moderately.

If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent and seek God’s face, you will experience breakthrough and his presence. Fasting and prayer are difficult, and it takes time to build spiritual muscles. Consider starting small. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out. Fasting changes us for the better.

More resources on fasting https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/fasting.html

"I want to know God's thoughts, the rest are details." Einstein