Read
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
Meditate
Today’s message
The comment against my disciples sounded like that ungrateful comparison between children: 'so-and-so's are exemplary... but yours...'. I understood the jab: 'you haven't put yours in fasting mode.' Jesus responded with the image of the present bridegroom and then left a sentence that cannot be swept under the rug: they will fast. It's not about flaunting sacrifice; it's a mark of those who walk with me in my visible absence.
For years I treated fasting as somewhat optional. Until January 2022. I was writing and fasting when we faced a robust poll: almost 60% had never fasted even once. The Holy Spirit confronted me with Matthew 6:16-18: when you fast. Jesus didn't say if. If He teaches how, it's because He expects us to do it. From then on, I adjusted my heart and my teaching: fasting is not a whim of a few; it is expected of all.
Three questions I had to face
- Is fasting optional? Therefore, no. Fasting is not optional; Jesus said: they will fast.
- Does fasting have rules? The rule is one: there are no fixed rules for format and frequency.
- How to practice? We have a classification of at least three types for you to discern and start.
They will fast.
I want to give you practical paths, without romanticization. I myself have made bad choices and good choices. I remember the first 'fast' as a teenager: we skipped lunch and drank soda for fear of fainting. I have visited the prayer mountain in Asia, with signs prohibiting going beyond 40 days. Between extremes, there is a simple, biblical, and sustainable path that you can start today.
Three types of fasting for you to practice wisely
- Total/absolute: without food and without water; biblically appears for 3 days. Beyond that, it's risky — except for extraordinary interventions.
- Normal: without food, with water; was the standard for Jesus in the desert (Luke 4:2).
- Partial (like Daniel): restricts desirable foods for a period (e.g., 21 days). An excellent entry point and sustainable practice.
Don't wait for 'special action' to start. Decide that fasting will be part of your life with God, like prayer and generosity. Respect your body, seek direction from the Spirit, and if it's a prolonged fast, prepare responsibly. The point is not to win a marathon; it's to afflict the soul, reorder appetites, and make space for new wine in new wineskins. They will fast — and so will we.
Did you know
- Jewish tradition reports that the Pharisees fasted twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
- The Didache instructed Christians to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays to avoid imitating the Pharisees.
- Jeremiah and Luke (in Acts) refer to the Day of Atonement as the day of fasting.
Key phrases
- They will fast.
- Therefore, no. Fasting is not optional.
- The rule is one: there are no rules.
- We have a classification of at least three types.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Luciano Subirá | DECIDE TO FAST
Watch