God created the human body as a finely tuned instrument of enormous power, but it requires fuel to operate. To make sure that body gets enough fuel, God created in humans an appetite for food, which we call "hunger." So why would anyone ever ignore hunger and choose not to eat? Going without food for spiritual reasons is called fasting, a spiritual discipline with a long and important history in Christianity. When accompanied by earnest prayer, fasting demonstrates a believer's sincerity to God. In The Beginner's Guide to Fasting, beloved teacher-theologian Elmer Towns introduces the basics to those who may have never fasted before, and reviews the fundamentals for seasoned intercessors. Dr. Towns gives an overview of fasting from the Old and New Testaments, and answers questions about fasting related to physical health, social interaction, spiritual warfare and much more. The Beginner's Guide to Fasting is an essential handbook for all who long to draw closer to God through biblical spiritual disciplines.

Author Biography

ELMER TOWNS is Vice President and Dean of the School of Religion at Liberty University, which he co-founded in 1971 with Jerry Falwell. He teaches the 2,000-member pastor's Sunday School class at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA. Towns is a Gold Medallion Award-winning author and his books include "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough" and "How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say." Elmer and his wife, Ruth, have three grown children.