Fasting

As we walk on the ancient paths with the Lord there are several disciplines of the heart that we can practice that will strengthen our spirits and help us to be more sensitive to the Spirit of God. Today I want to talk about the discipline of fasting, not because I love to fast but because of its value and importance.

First of all I am not an expert on fasting. I have tried and failed so many times. I have also tried and by the grace of God been able to hold fast! I find it very humbling because when I fast from food, I realize how much of my life revolves around food and how often my flesh wants to eat! Fasting is essentially an exercise in dying to self. It is not my favorite discipline of the heart but I do appreciate its worth and I commend it to you.

Fasting is simply abstaining from something for a period of time. Fasting helps us connect with God. Because it is difficult, fasting requires that we lean into Him, draw closer to Him. When we detach from something, we create more space for God in our lives. When we deny our flesh we strengthen our spirit. Fasting provides a way to remind us to continually turn to the Lord. It is a time to recalibrate and tune in to the Spirit of God.

There is a wonderful old classic book on fasting that you will enjoy if you want to dig deeper into the subject. It is God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis. In it Wallis explains the why’s and how-to’s of fasting. He also emphasizes that our fast is unto the Lord. It needs to be initiated by God and enabled by Him, our job is simply to follow His leading. I found this link that gives a great introduction to the book. https://renovare.org/articles/fasting-unto-god.

From my personal experience, fasting is hard. In fact if you have decided to fast from something and it is not difficult, then maybe you should choose something else! Fasting is meant to be a sacrifice. I remember when I was a child. We went to a church that observed Lent and all my friends there talked about what they were giving up for Lent. One friend said her brother was giving up chocolate. We all groaned, that would be so hard! She said, “Actually my brother doesn’t like chocolate so it won’t be hard for him!”

Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18, “And when you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen as fasting by men. Truly I say to you they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t say if you fast but when you fast. He assumes that fasting will be part of our regular lifestyle as believers. Also notice that when we fast we are not trying to impress others with how committed we are to the Lord. We should not even tell anyone we are fasting. (Of course do not be legalistic about this! For instance I usually tell my husband if I am fasting but quickly assure him he will have plenty to eat!) As we fast, we need to wash our face, get dressed and get on with our daily lives, not calling attention to our fast.

Once in our women’s Bible study a woman from out of town joined one of our small groups. She was in Houston with her husband waiting for him to get a heart transplant at one of our local hospitals. Her small group began to pray for him. They were led by the Lord to do a continual fast until he got a new heart. They each took 24 hours and rotated through the group fasting for this man, one day at a time. They fasted until the day he received his new heart! It was a powerful witness to all of us who watched. God answered the prayer of this small group who did what they could. As they pressed in to God’s heart, the man received his new heart!

I have also been a part of a group who felt led by the Lord to fast and pray for a young man in our church who had a terminal disease. We were full of expectation and faith as we prayed and fasted. Each one of us took a 24 hour block of time that we covered with fasting and prayer. In the end, we were sorely disappointed because the Lord did not answer our prayers in the way we asked and heal our friend. Fasting is a way to draw closer to the Lord, but it is not a tool with which to manipulate God.

Fasting prepares our hearts to hear from the Lord. Moses fasted for 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai just before he received the Ten Commandments. Fasting prepares and strengthens us for ministry and enables us to resist temptation. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before He was tempted and began His ministry. Fasting is often associated with prayer and worship. “And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”” Acts 13:2-3. Fasting also helps us to discern the direction and will of God. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23.

In the Bible fasting is often abstaining from food and drink. Moses and Jesus abstained from food and water for 40 days. (I do not recommend fasting from water.) Daniel and his friends did a partial fast. In Daniel 1 they refused the king’s choice food and wine and ate vegetables and water. In Daniel 9 Daniel began a fast to seek God about the release of the Jews from captivity. In Daniel 10 he embarked on a three week fast to gain insight into a vision the Lord had given him. “I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.” Daniel 10:3. So there are total fasts and partial fasts and even fasts from lotions! Esther fasted in preparation for her appeal to the king. She asked others to join her. “Assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the King, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16. Fast for preparation, fast when there is a crisis, fast as part of your normal discipline of the heart. Most of all fast to deepen your connection with the Lord.

You do not have to fast from food, you can fast from social media, playing a video game or watching sports, etc.. The author Catherine Marshall wrote about fasting from criticism. There are an infinite number of things from which we can fast! If you feel the Lord nudging you to begin to practice this spiritual discipline, ask Him to put his finger on what He wants you to fast from. The important thing is that you are fasting because it is God’s fast for you. If He initiates the fast, He will supply the grace for you to complete it as you lean into Him. And you will need His grace.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Are you calling me to a fast? If you are, will you show me exactly what I am to fast from? As I quiet my heart before you, will you give me your leading? (Wait on Him, don’t rush, take time to listen.) If you are calling me to a fast, give me your strategy for the timing of my fast. As I embark on it, help me to hold fast to you. Thank you that you supply the grace and strength I need to complete this fast. Give me perseverance. Do a deep work in my spirit and draw me closer to you as I practice this discipline of the heart.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen