Common Questions and Concerns

1. Will God give me what I ask for if I add fasting to my prayers?
Fasting is not a means of putting God into a submission hold. It  does not place Him under any obligation to satisfy my requests. Rather, true fasting results in moving me into alignment with God and His purposes.

2. How often should I fast?
Matthew Henry gives this advice in his commentary, Jesus “ does not tell us how often we must fast; circumstances vary, and wisdom is profitable therein to direct; the Spirit in the word has left that to the Spirit in the heart; but take this for a rule, whenever you undertake this duty, study therein to approve yourselves to God, and not to recommend yourselves to the good opinion of men; humility must evermore attend upon our humiliation”.

 3. Is it possible to get “caught up” in fasting and go too far with it? 
As with any spiritual discipline, it is possible to twist it into  something other than its intended purpose. We have the example of the Pharisees who made fasting an end in itself and sought to place it as a burden upon others. I’m sure there are people today who hold a similar opinion, but one person’s abuse of fasting should not be seen as our excuse for not fasting.

4. Should I consult my doctor before I fast?
If you are planning on engaging in an extended fast it is  highly recommended that to see your doctor first. Also, if you have any health concerns, see a doctor before starting a fast. Bill Bright gives this word of caution, “But be forewarned: your doctor may try to discourage you from fasting, even if you are in good health.” If this happens and you sense that God is calling you to fast, then you will be faced with a dilemma: obey your doctor or God.

5. Should I take time off to fast or can I do my normal duties?
It really depends on the length of the fast and type of  activities that you normally engage in. For a person whose job is more deskbound or sitting, there is virtually no need to alter their schedule. For another whose job is more physical in nature, there may be some need to make modifications.

6. Will fasting ruin my health?
People in the health field who are knowledgeable about  fasting can verify hundreds, even thousands, of cases where fasting has been physically invigorating. Bill Bright who fasted for 40 days shared, “From my own experience, arthritic pains in my thumb and fingers were greatly lessened after fourteen to twenty-one days of fasting; and I experienced relief from a digestive condition I had for years.”  

Conclusion:
Having said all this, my number one word of encouragement to each of us is that you ask God to lead you in the area and expect that He will. Then simply obey His prompting as you enjoy your Face time and Fellowship with the Father!