"Fasting for Spiritual Break Through" by Towns

Towns, Elmer L. Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts. Ventura, CA: Regal Books. 1996

In the introduction, the author writes "If you seek a closer walk with God, this book is for you... I want every Christian in the world to learn to fast—to fast properly—to fast for results."  The publisher also provides a warning that you should consult your physician before beginning a fast.

God chooses the fast! Using Isaiah 58:6-8 as a base, the author describes nine suggested fasts that the reader can adjust to their own particular needs and desires. All fasts have a goal to grow closer to God. Also, there are four kinds of fasting: going without food; going without food or water; omitting certain foods or one meal a day; eating or omitting certain families of foods for a time period. The various food families are rotated, some food is eaten each day.

The nine fasts include:

• The Disciple's Fast—fasting for freedom from addiction (Matthew 17:20, 21)
• The Ezra Fast—fasting to solve problems (Ezra 8:21-23)
• The Samuel Fast—fasting to win people to Christ(1 Samuel 7:1-8)
• The Elijah Fast—fasting to break fears and other mental problems (1 Kings 19:2-18)
• The Widows Fast—fasting to provide for the needy (2 Kings 17:12)
• The Saint Paul Fast—fasting for insight and decision making (Acts 9:9-19)
• The Daniel Fast—fasting for health and physical healing (Daniel 1:12-20)
• The John the Baptist Fast—fasting for an influential testimony (Matthew 3:4; Luke 1:15)
• The Esther Fast—fasting for protection from the evil one (Esther 4:16)

 "Withholding food does not make us smart. God gives wisdom and knowledge to those who have the self-discipline to withhold food and to spend their time praying, reading His Word and seeking His will." This quote is from the "Practical Principles to Remember" section of the Daniel Fast page 140.