Wax On/Wax Off – Disciplines of Daniel (3)

Daniel 1 – What should you fast?

Jesus says in Matthew 6:16, “WHEN you fast…”.   He is saying that we should fast – it’s not an option with Him.  However, the times you fast, what you fast, and what you fast for are left up to you.  Here are a couple of fasts in the Bible…

Daniel 1:16 – Daniel and his friends fast rich food and wine in favor of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Luke 4:2 – Jesus fasts from food completely for 40 days (this is a fast that you should consult a doctor before attempting – even if God told you to do it).
Jonah 3:5,10 – Nineveh fasts as a reaction to their repentance for their sin.
Jeremiah 36:6 – There are fast days – where you fast for a day.

At our church, we do what we call Week of War the first week of each month.  We pray at our church from 6-7 PM Monday through Saturday.  Then we encourage our people to fast something and give God that time.

When you fast, I suggest choosing something that takes up time in your day (not work or school – though we’d like that) – so you can re-use that time with God.  If you’re on the Internet a lot – fast the Internet – and give that time to God.  If you watch TV a lot – fast TV – and give that time to God in the evenings.  Even the time you spend cooking and eating – could be reused to spend time with God.

There are many options and possibilities – it pretty much depends on what God is asking YOU to do (or your pastor).  But, listen, because sometimes it’s not what you would expect.  And other times, he lets you choose what to fast.

We’ll talk tomorrow about why fasting is important.