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Fasting: Plain and Simple

Seven Simple Steps to the Power of Biblical Fasting
by Justin Hampton of
The Understand Fasting Blog
This book is dedicated to those that are hungry for the presence of God. Those who would rather go hungry than go without that presence, and are willing to do so in prayer and fasting. May the Lord do amazing things through your sacricial offering of fasting.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is for informational purposes only. Understand that I am not a physician or licensed dietitian. Any dietary advice that I give is my opinion and based on personal experience and the testimony of others. Before conducting a fast of any kind you should always consult your doctor. Any physical results mentioned in this work should not be considered the norm and are subject to many variable factors. Please know that there are some links contained in this book that I stand to benet from nancially. Many of these links in this guide are for Third Party Products. I do not assume responsibility for any Third Party Products or services due to those products and services being owned by and operated by those Third Parties. These products contain the opinions expressed by the owners of these products and in some cases are not my opinion. My publication of Third Party Products is no guarantee of success based on these products, it is simply my personal recommendation and opinion of these Third Party Products. No part of this publication may be resold, reproduced, retransmitted without the expressed written consent of the author. All trademarks and registered trademarks in this material are the property of their respective owners. Those using this book are advised to due their own research before developing their own expectations of the outcome of any type of dietary changes or restrictions. By reading this material you agree that myself and my company are not responsible for the success or failure of any information presented in this book.

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Fasting has revolutionized my relationship with the Lord.

I imagine you got this book by signing up for it on the website or because it was recommended to you by a friend. In any case thank you for stopping by, I pray that you are blessed by the content. If you are reading this it must be because you nd yourself in the same position that I found myself in not more than 5 years ago at the writing to this book. I was becoming increasingly more curious about fasting and just wanted more information so that I would feel comfortable engaging in one. The problem was that I couldnt nd any one book or website that could answer most of the questions I had. Once I did all my research I was ready to get started, but I found that many people were just as confused about the topic of fasting as I used to be. As I spoke with people who had been followers of Jesus for years, seminary graduates, ministry leaders and the like, it became clear that even the most educated Christian may not know about fasting. Over the years Ive seen God move through the fasting of His people in amazing ways. Ive been witness to the healing of diseases, nancial recovery, mending of relationships, and even the recovery of life to person declared dead by doctors. YES, Ive born witness to the resurrection of the dead through a fast. After seeing all these miraculous works of fasting and knowing that much of the body of Christ is ignorant to its power, I knew I had to do something. Thats when the Understand Fasting blog was born. This free guide is just my way of helping the body of Christ draw closer to the Lord and see the amazing power of fasting that God has shown me. I pray this information is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me.

If you have any questions or comments as you read this free guide please reach me on facebook or twitter (@knowfasting). You can also email me if you a more personal concern about the information.

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1. The Importance of Setting Fasting Guidelines

Wearing Blinders

In the scientic community horses are often categorized as ight animals, meaning they dont really have any fearsome defense mechanisms to put into play when The basic reason for this is Setting that we have to set a vision for theyre attacked. They dont have standards for venom, sharp teeth, or claws. For our fasts, otherwise we will not the foods you restrain ourselves for long. Several the most part all they can do when will consume, times I have made the grave error attacked is run away or take ight. the people you of not setting ground rules for my For this reason our creator will involve in equipped them with eyes that fasts and as a result failed in the fast, and the length of time are have amazingly wide peripheral fasting miserably. I had no crucial to the success of your vision. guidelines and no direction and fasting. If you have no set vision Unlike humans, their eyes are for your fast you will be invariably I ended up in the same situated on the sides of their heads unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18 place I started. to allow for a greater range of sight NASB). in order to see danger coming He who fails to plan, from almost any angle. While Where there is no vision the plans to fail. this is great for avoiding people are unrestrained, but danger in the wild, its a huge happy is he who keeps the law disadvantage when it comes to Plan Your Fast Proverbs 29:18 (NASB) making this animal focus its When I didnt set any criteria sight forward when working to uphold from the outset, my (pulling a carriage, racing, or Set some guidelines even if esh was not really brought into plowing). they are somewhat exible. The subjection to any measurable main ways to establish these Horse trainers and riders standard. At any point during the know this all to well, but they have guidelines are through choosing fast I could change the types of the number of days, the type of found a way to harness this food I ate, and even stop the fast dietary restrictions, and whether apparent weakness. Because of a completely if I really wanted to, to make your fast corporate or horses aptitude for distraction, because I hadnt set any type of personal. These guidelines will the trainers require the horses food restriction or a determined keep you on track to nish what wear blinders. They place a set of number of days I would fast for. you have started, and nish well. goggles on the horse that only In my experience these are the allow them to see whats ahead Scripture provides quite a few most ineective types of fasts that and not whats on their sides. fasting variations as it concerns you can engage in. We must set For us, this principle the combination of length, diet, some goals to focus on, so that and inclusion of partners. As we is no dierent.Just westay focused. Strangely take a look at some of these like the horses, we enough, In order to do this we need guidelines and examples, you should begin to get need to apply the same training an idea of what type of fast you standards to act as techniques used to keep race believe the Lord is calling you to. our blinders and horses looking toward the nish Lets start with choosing just how keep us looking line. We must engage in the long our fast will be. forward in our practice of using blinders to fasting eorts. If we dont set direct our vision while we fast. Let standards for our fasting we me explain. wont have a nish line to focus on. We will inevitably be

diverted o course, because there was no dened course of action anyway. Without guidelines in our fasting we are setting ourselves up for distraction and eventually failure.

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2.Determine How Long The Fast Will Be?

Pick a Number One through Ten

Jesus, we can still return to God by humbling our mind, will, and emotions through fasting.
Three Day Fasts:

These fasts were embarked on for totally dierent reasons. In the In the majority of my jobs over case of Esther she and her people the years Ive usually been given were seeking God to give them the task of working with children favor with the ruling king of their and teens. When doing this one of day to spare their lives from the widely accepted ways to genocide. Paul in Acts 9:9 was eliminate bias when selecting a kid fasting after his conversion to faith to participate in an activity or in Jesus, and as a result received receive a reward, is to have the the revelation of His divine calling eligible children pick a number, and the lling of the Holy Spirit. one through ten. Weve all done that, and while it may be a quick Seven Day Fasts: resolution to picking favorites In both instances the among children, its not the way to fasting was done in choose the length of your fast. You response to some sort of dont just want to pick a random sin issue. The valiant men of number of days. Jabesh-gilead fasted after the Interestingly, there are only a few dierent lengths of time associated with fasting in scripture. They varied in terms of being long term, medium, or short term. For example, although fasting is recorded several times in scripture, it is only recorded as being done in one of six distinct lengths of time; where the length is noted. In each of the dierent fasts listed here, the person or persons engaged in the fasts had specic reasons for fasting. Lets identify some of those fasts, their reasons for fasting, how long they fasted and their application to our lives.
One Day Fasts:

the future. Although God heard the prayer of Daniel from the rst day, the answer did not come until later because of spiritual warfare that was going on during the twenty one days.
Forty Day Fasts:

Forty day fasting has similar traits throughout scripture. In each case it is done by a single individual and the person engaged in the fast is directly touched by God in some way, resulting in the establishment of the Kingdom of God through them, in a new way and powerful way. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus are all recorded as having completed 40 day fasts. Your fast is not supposed to be a ridged legalistic adherence to any particular method. Its designed to make you exible enough to receive what God wants to give you. Choose a particular time frame and stick with it. These suggested lengths are a great place to start.

death of king Saul, who died because of his rebellion against God. David fasted for the healing of his son that was born through his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, although God did not do as he requested. This is perhaps the only place in scripture where fasting did not result in the response the person sought.
Ten Day Fasts:

Biblical Fasting Lengths

One Day Fasts 1 Samuel 7:6, Nehemiah 9:1, Daniel 6:18 Three Day Fasts Esther 4:16, Acts 9:9 Seven Day Fasts 1 Chronicles 10:11-12, 2 Samuel 12:15-20 Ten Day Fasts Daniel 1:12 Twenty-one Day Fasts Daniel 10:2-3 Forty Day Fasts Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, Matthew 4:4

In two of these cases the fast was done to seek Gods forgiveness for their sins, and to humble themselves before Him. Although we have forgiveness through the blood of

The prophet Daniel did not want to dele his body before the Lord by eating the kings food that was unlawful for him to eat according to Jewish custom. He refrained from that food for ten days while God kept his body healthy in appearance and function the entire time.
Twenty-one Day Fasts:

Daniel again fasted to receive wisdom from the Lord concerning the interpretation of a vision of

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3. Decide Which Type of Fast Is Right For You?

Earlier in the book we covered the dierent types of dietary restrictions that you can choose from. Its up to you to determine which one you have the stomach for. Some people simply dont have the faith or mental endurance to attempt a forty day fast, a twenty-one day juice fast, or even a three day complete fast. You have to fast according to where your faith is, and what you are willing to stick to, no

matter what. In order to do this Gods revelation must become more necessary to you than food. Here is a review of the the types of fasts that you can choose from, the various biblical personalities that did them, as well as what to expect physically from their impact on your body.

I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. - Daniel 10:3 NASB

Three Popular Types of Fasts Complete Fasts:

Luke 4:2 (Jesus), Deuteronomy 9:9-18 (Moses), 1 Kings 19:8 (Elijah), Esther 4:16 (Corporate Jewish Fast)

Partial Fasts:
Daniel 10:2, 3 (Daniel)

Juice Fasts:
Not found in Scripture

The complete fast the most common form of fasting described in scripture. The participants are recorded as eating and drinking nothing.

When fasting, you likely should refrain from all strenuous exercise.
These fasts are done at varying lengths. They are recorded as being as short as one day and as long as forty. Typically modern day participants of this form of fasting will drink water as a part of their fasting regimen.

Partial fasting is refraining from certain types of foods for a given period of time. This type of fast is recorded in the book of Daniel. He refrained from eating tasty/pleasant food, meat, and drinking wine. Pleasant food is typically thought to be sweet and sugary foods. This is where the term Daniel Fast originates. Planning for this type of fast can help us detoxify our bodies, and not miss meals during the fast because we have to refrain from eating the food thats available while we are on the go. This often requires packing a lunch, and planning your meals well in advance during the course of your fast.

Juicing is not mentioned in scripture and is used as a hybrid of a complete fast and a partial fast. This fasting allows for the participants to continue to intake sources of energy and nutrients, while still maintaining the sense of hunger. Juice fasts are a reasonable alternative to long term complete fasts for people with an active lifestyle, however the Lord will sustain you through whatever type of fast He calls you to do. If he calls for a complete fast, dont do a juice fast just because its easier. If you are thinking about juicing I recommend using the Breville BJE200XL juicer.

Congrats!! Youve Made it Halfway Through the Book

First of all, THANK YOU!! I pray this stu has been helpful to you. Only 3 sections to go. - Take a break for a second and think about what God may be speaking to you...then like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (shameless right, LOL!?). In the next section well discuss Personal vs Corporate Fasting

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4. Choosing a Personal Fast or a Corporate Fast?

To reiterate, its perfectly ok if someone nds out that you are fasting. If someone asks you if you The passage of scripture are fasting you dont have to (Matthew 6:17 NASB) has often conceal the fact that you are. You been misinterpreted in such a way can tell them you are fasting with that believers have been rebuked no shame or apprehension about for fasting in any manner where the consequences you may incur other people may take notice of it, from God, because if you are or become aware of their fasting. pure in your motives there are no negative consequences.

Maybe the Biggest Misconception is that You Cant Tell Anybody

participants of the fast itself.

for, if others are directly aected by that issue, and if you have someone that will join you in prayer agreement on the issue (Matthew 18:19).

The application is simple, when fasting dont do it for attention.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:17 (NASB)
The implications are that if anyone nds out about your fast then your fasting is completely nullied in the eyes of God because you have your reward. This is not the intended message of Jesus as He spoke those words. Whether fasting is done by an individual or by a group of people, the key is that it should be an act carried out in humility. Fasting with the specic purpose of being seen by others to be honored by them is an act of pride. However, fasting in a public way that focuses attention on the glory of God is not prohibited. You can fast and let people know about it if your intentions are to encourage those that are watching you. It is still common practice to keep our fasting eorts condential among the

Fasting done by individuals in scripture was undertaken by those The dierence between that were seeking a very personal personal and corporate (group) response from the Lord. Usually fasting is a little more than they were humbling themselves in simply whether or not to let light of a distinctively pressing other people know that you are burden that they carried. This fasting. It is including others in the participation of your fast, or burden weighed on them more joining yourself to another group than their peers, fellow or individual that is going to fast. countryman, or families. The issue that necessitated their fasting was Determining if you are going to engage in an personal or corporate remarkably heavy on their heart. So, they took it to the throne of fast is really a matter of the specic issue which you are fasting the King themselves.

Personal Fasts in Scripture

Nehemiah fasted for favor: Nehemiah 1:4 = He fasted for favor and provision from the king to complete the vision he believed was from God. Daniel fasted to interpret visions: Daniel 10:1-3 = Daniel fasted twenty-one days for the understanding of a message and vision that he had received from God King Darius fasted for the safety of a friend: Daniel 6:16 = A pagan king fasted to the God of Israel after creating a law that endangered his servant and friend, Daniel. Moses fasted to know the will of God: Deuteronomy 9:9-18 = Moses fasted forty days and nights in order to prepare himself to lead the people into the establishing of Gods kingdom on earth. Jesus fasted in preparation for His role in bringing the Kingdom of God to the Earth: Matthew 4:1-11= Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights before being tempted by Satan to deny His own identity, to doubt Gods word, and to escape the cross.

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Remember that the fast is what God uses to align us with His motivations and will. We have a tendency to view fasting as the reverse; we think we are getting God to align Himself with our desires. This is simply not true. Think about it like this, guidelines help create boundaries that produce proper alignment. This is why we must allow Holy Spirit to establish our boundaries because only He truly knows what is needed to produce the alignment that will cause us to be in sync with the will of God. Lets pray. Dear Heavenly Father, you are the author and nisher of a" life. I ask for your wisdom to establish guidelines for my fasting. I ask that I walk in your grace to adhere to those guidelines. Show me the number of days, diet restrictions, and who I should include or exclude #om my fasts. Help me identify the root issues that I need to fast for or against. Change me in my fasting Father, move in my being and a"ow me to align with your righteousness in every way. In the name of Jesus I ask a" these things, AMEN.

Corporate Fasts In Scripture

Early church teachers fasted before appointing leaders: Acts 13:1-3 = The men in Antioch fasted and prayed. While doing so the Holy Spirit spoke to them and told them to set aside Barnabas and Saul (Paul). After fasting further, they laid hands on these men and sent them out to do the work of the Kingdom of God. Exiled Jews fasted for deliverance from genocide: Esther 4:6 = After discovering the plot of Haman to kill all the Jewish people exiled in the Persian territory of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), Mordecai warns queen Esther. When the decree to kill all the Jews is made public, Esther, in her distress and the distress of her people, asks for all the people to fast for her to have favor with the King to convince him to overturn his decree. The Jews gathered and fasted for deliverance from their enemies: 1 Samuel 7:6 = The nation was tired of Philistine oppression. They had just gained the return of the Ark of the Lord into their possession and were concerned about how to properly handle its presence as well as their enemies. After receiving a prophecy from Samuel that the Lord would deliver them if they turned back to Him, the people fasted, tore down their idols, repented, and returned to the Lord.

5. Eliminate Good Things That Can Be Distractions

Daily aspects of our lives such as smart phones, facebook, internet surng, and even watching hours of television are luxuries that can be considered good things under the right circumstances. But, often when we are fasting, some of these things can actually serve as distractions from focusing on the voice of God.

Along with food, also consider giving up these things as well

For each of us the sacrice in this area may be different. Maybe for you its music, for another it may be video games, while for some it may be the sacrice of social media. In any case, what you should sacrice is likely the thing that you are most hesitant to sacrice. It is likely the thing that hurts even to imagine going without it. can be keenly aware of that spiritual food which is even more necessary, the voice of God. If you normally watch television, consider turning it o for the duration of your fast. If you are into social media, let your network know that you are taking a sabbatical from them for a few days. I promise you wont die, but hopefully the desires of the esh will.

In the case of King Darius in the book of Daniel, he retired to his palace and denied himself his normal forms of entertainment that he was accustomed to. In modern terms he would have turned o the TV, silenced his cell phone, kept his Then the king went off to his Even if you feel as if you have laptop closed, and put palace and spent the night fasting, good balance in this area, your fast down that mystery novel. and no entertainment was brought still provides for a period of He completely dedicated before him; and his sleep ed from deeper self-reection. The his attention to fasting and him Daniel 6:18 (NASB) sacrice of necessary food for the prayer. body is made so that our spirits

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As it concerns fasting, we must be careful not to put more on ourselves than our own faith can bare. Our initial reaction to In his desperate conversation the inner unction, or corporate with Jesus, the man in the call to fast may cause us to lean scripture below was pleading for toward an extreme fast when in the freedom of his son from reality our faith is not able to bare demonic attacks. that sort of load. For example, we may But if you can do anything, take attempt a twenty-one pity on us and help us! And Jesus said day fast only to nd to him, if you can? All things are ourselves not able to possible to him who believes. complete it because our Immediately the boys father cried out faith didnt match our and said, I do believe; help my conviction. We must be unbelief. - Mark 9:22-24 (NASB) aware of not only what we are willing to attempt, but what we He had exhausted every are dedicated to sustain and option that he knew of. He even brought his son to Jesus disciples complete. who then failed to cast the demon The Failed Fast out. Imagine the mans emotional A failed fast can be one of state when bringing the boy to the the most demoralizing men who were becoming experiences that a believer in renowned for the miraculous works of God that were following Christ can have, especially a new believer. Consider that a fast is them wherever they went. Think typically undertaken either in how disheartened he must have response to a deep burden or to an been after their failed attempt to extreme circumstance faced by an heal his son. individual or group of people. If a The boy had been possessed person is a new believer, and is and tormented by this demon responding to the call to fast, they since early childhood and his may be fasting for the rst time father was powerless to stop it. and the fast itself may be their The man must have felt a mix of rst attempted outward act of emotions that ranged from faith since praying for salvation. frustration and bitterness, to Often, well intentioned helplessness, and nally landed leaders in the body of Christ him in a state of unbelief. Before we jump to judge this man it must (pastors, teachers, small group leaders, etc.) will call for corporate be noted that at least he realized his lack of faith and decided to do fasts for the ones they are leading. The problem arises when the something about it. He took restrictions placed on those action to combat his unbelief by involved are too dicult simply requesting Jesus help to increase his faith, and by making a personal because their followers may not possess the faith level to endure declaration of a new level of faith the type of fast that is proposed. by declaring, I do believe.

6. Know Your Level of Faith

I believe this is the very reason that forty day fasts in scripture are only undertaken by individuals. If people enter a prolonged fast moved with emotion and under the conviction of the their leaders alone, they will fail at some point because they are not acting in true faith, they are acting under the belief of another person.

A New Level of Faith

This doesnt mean that in fasting we shouldnt attempt a new level of spiritual extension that we may not have attempted before; we should continue to grow in our fasts. It does mean, however, that the guidelines placed on ourselves and those fasting with us, shouldnt be beyond the realm of belief for those fasting. The restrictions and time allotted for fasting should seem dicult, but not impossibleunless you can believe for the impossible. We must use our own faith and enter our fasts with a heart of courage and not fear, of faith and not unbelief. We must be willing to not only count the costs of our fasts but to believe that we can endure them through the grace of God. Our faith should be in God not only to supply that which we are fasting for, but also to sustain us during the process. Fasting is a righteous action that awaits the an expected reward based on faith. It is completely an exercise in faith. Allow your fasting to grow and expand your expectations of the Lord, as well as increase your expectations of His power to keep you during the process.

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7. Do It & Teach It
We have covered many topics in this book. Some of which you may still be wrestling through in our own thought processes. You could read multiple books on the subject of fasting, and I invite you to, but the power and revelation of this biblically mandated righteous work of fasting (Matthew 6) will only be experienced through participation. You can search the world over and nd no work of literature that accurately depicts the pain and pleasure, bitterness and sweetness of what God provides through a well conducted fast. It is truly indescribable.

moves in your life in a way that He never has before. Lets pray over what we have learned and allow me to declare a blessing over what God has shown you and will show you in the days to come. Lets Pray Together,

Fasting Resources
Click Links Below Books
Toxic Relief by Don Colbert A detailed overview of how fasting can change your physical and spiritual well being. I highly recommend it. Im Hungry by Justin Hampton Download a sample of my latest full length book. Learn how fasting really works, why it works, & how to break through the barriers keeping you from Gods best for your life. Full release COMING SOON

Final Thoughts and Prayer

Father God in Heaven, your name is holy above a" others. Your word says that anyone who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in the heart. We ask that you give us wisdom and enlighten our understanding of fasting so that we would fast in a way that is pleasing to you. Teach us your ways that we may know you more deeply. Move on our behalf, and draw near to us as we draw near to you.
Resources:

You Are Responsible

The things that you have learned here are not to be simply meditated upon. The revelation that God gave you, and truth that Holy Spirit revealed to you are not yours alone. They are to be shared. It is now up to you to take what you have learned, apply it, and teach it to others who are hungry to know what scripture teaches about the power of fasting.
What now?

Products Breville BJE200XL 700Watt Juice Extractor Breville has many fantastic juicers out there, but this one seems to be the best balance of durability and quality at around $100. When juicing this is the preferred method over purchasing pasteurized juices, which heat the juice and destroy benecial enzymes.

Take your new understanding of the discipline of fasting and use it. As you do, the Lord will reveal more and more of Himself to you, creating a deeper hunger for His Thank you a for reading my eBook! If this book has been a truths, and a more blessing to you, please stop by our website, or connect with us on passionate desire twitter and facebook. Drop us a comment with your thoughts and to see Him move questions. in a miraculous way. Step out in I want to do all that I can to help you draw closer to the Lord so faith. Fast and pray feel free to email me at justin@understandfasting.com or even in a way that you better, share the link to this ebook. - Thanks Again! - Justin never have before, http://www.understandfasting.com/fasting-plain-and-simple/ and watch as God

To the right you will nd a short list of valuable resources that I recommend for your fasts. Yes - if you purchase these products through the links provided I wi" earn a slight commission. So, Thanks! Be blessed as you seek to Understand Fasting.

Thanks - From Justin

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