It is the act of not eating and drinking. Religious fasting is one in which someone stops eating for reasons related to faith. In the New Testament, Jesus recommends fasting to cast out demons. Fasting has been practiced for over 5,000 years by mankind.
Fasting was a common practice among God's servants, as they were aware that it was a way of refueling, of renew the strength to face the difficult battles that lay ahead in their ministries and even in life daily. There are no fixed rules in the Bible about when to fast or what kind of fast to practice, this is something personal.
Fast duration
1 day – The Day of Atonement fast.
3 days – Esther's fast.
7 days – Fast for Saul's death.
14 days – Involuntary fasting by Paul and those with him on the ship.
21 days – Daniel's fast in favor of Jerusalem.
40 days – The fast of the Lord Jesus in the desert.
Types of Fast
• Fasting based on bread and water: when a person who is hungry and thirsty eats only bread and drinks only water.
• Liquid-based fasting: the person who is fasting only drinks liquid.
• Normal fasting: the person who fasts does not eat anything, only drinks water.
• Partial fast: during this fast, the person has only one meal a day.
• Sweet fasting: fasting done by people who cannot go without food, so they do not eat sweets, giving up something they like a lot.
by Eliene Percília
Team Brazil Escola.com
Religion - Brazil School
