Absolute or Full Fast
In the Old Testament, it was during a forty day fast when Moses was given the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34: 27-28). When Esther heard about Haman’s plans to destroy the Jews, she asked all the Jews in her city to join her on a three day fast without food and water (Esther 4-7). These types of fast without food and water were recognized as absolute fasts.
Normal or Regular Fast
In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for forty days. In Matthew 4: 2, the scripture says, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he [Jesus]was hungry.” There is no reference to Jesus being thirsty, so this was a fast believed to be consisting of water only. This fast is known also as the water or liquid fast.
Partial Fast
Many believers recognize Daniel and his three companions’ refusal to eat the king’s meat, sweets and wine for ten days as a form of partial fasting (Daniel 1:12). Daniel and his three friends requested only vegetables and water.1
There is no set period for fasting. However, today, among Catholics, there are just two days of fasting before Easter: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics who are healthy are supposed to fast. Jews still fast traditionally on the holiday of Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement.
