Before we consider why fasting works, we should first understand the different kinds of fast.

The first kind is a "complete fast." A complete fast is described in Esther 4:16: "...Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day..." A complete fast is abstaining from both food and water. Notice carefully that Esther proclaimed a complete fast for three days and nights. You should never go on a complete fast for more than three days. Three days is the limit, because you cannot go without water for more than four or five days.

The second kind of fast is a "regular fast." This is when you abstain from only food. You may drink as often as you like. Some find it helpful to drink juices. You can maintain a fairly long fast this way.

The third kind of fast is a "partial fast." This is found in Daniel 10:2-3: "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over." Daniel said that he ate no choice food. This means he ate, but not tasty foods like enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, and all those good foods we like to eat. This is why Daniel could fast for three weeks--a long time. We should not attempt a lengthy fast without some food.

The only fasts that were longer were supernatural fasts. Moses on Mount Sinai, Jesus in the desert are the famous fasts we think of. But these were supernatural fasts, and we should not attempt these on our own.