Fasting Defined

Before we look at the different kinds of fasts, let's define fasting:

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines fasting as 1.) To abstain from food; 2.) To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline...

The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary defines fasting as 1.) Going without food and/or water; 2.) Consuming only water and simple foods. It also says, "Many biblical fasts lasted for a day, from sunrise to sunset; some continued for several days. Individuals often fasted when in the grip of some crisis or strong emotion. Public fasting was associated with national repentance. These fasts were typically accompanied by confession and by earnest appeal to God in prayer.

You could say that just by our eating vegan we are fasting daily! Many continue to eat their meats and sweets without a thought of how it affects their bodies until they are in a crisis! We've already made a change in our diet but there is more we can do. We will look tomorrow at the different kinds of fasts and look more into the physical and biblical reasons we choose to fast.