Christian Fasting - How long should I fast?

There is not a set length that makes Christian fasting acceptable. However, there are some general tips that may help you decide on a duration that will work well for you.

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In Bible times, fasts were generally one day in length. Judges 20:26 says, "Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD."

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Occasionally, fasts in Bible times were three days (Esther 4:16) or even seven days (1 Samuel 31:13). And on three occasions, fasts lasted 40 days: Moses receiving the 10 Commandments (Exodus 34:28), Elijah encountering God (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Since these were unusual circumstances, it is normally not recommended for a person to fast for 40 days without medical supervision.