Fasting

Today I have sensed that God is preparing me for a fast. The only way to explain it is that there is a drawing to do so. I usually fast a couple of times per year, so I’ve learned to know when the time is coming. Fasting is not a natural, human activity, especially for me, because I love to eat! I love the taste of food, I love the act of eating food, and unfortunately, I love food that’s not very healthy for me; such as Wendy’s hamburgers, pizza from just about anywhere, poptarts, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate shakes, and doughnuts. You get the picture. And that’s probably why, when I do fast, it’s from food, because it really is a sacrifice for me to abstain from it.

Fasting is not a public thing; it’s personal, between the individual and God. We hear about fasting from time to time, but because it’s personal, we don’t really know how often it’s practiced. People who fast for the right reasons aren’t walking up to others and saying, “Hey, just wanted to let you know that I’m fasting this week.” It wasn’t designed to be watercooler conversation. In fact, in Matthew 6:16, Jesus instructs us to not let our appearance show that we’re fasting, so that others will feel sorry for us, or draw attention to the fact that we’re fasting. But when we fast, to present ourselves in such a manner that others will not know, and the Father, who sees in secret will reward us openly.

Fasting is modeled for us, and taught to us, in the bible in numerous places. But what is an accurate description of fasting? Fasting is voluntary abstinence from food or other habitual actions for spiritual purposes. Fasting also means “to afflict the soul.” Not eating for a week is definitely an affliction to my soul.

Fasting is usually abstaining from food for a period of time, or skipping specific meals on a regular basis to devote that time spent eating to prayer and/or bible study. But it doesn’t have to be food. What activity in your life tends to be more important than it should? Computer, TV, sports, shopping, gossiping on the phone, reading romance novels. The bible in 1 Cor. 7:4-5 even speaks about husbands and wives abstaining from sex for a season to devote themselves to prayer.

The point of fasting is to show God that we are willing to give up something important to us for a season, so that we may receive direction from him, and hear his voice more clearly.

For me, food clouds the mind. And I’ve found that when I fast from food the cloudiness goes away. My thoughts are clear, my prayers are more direct, and the answers from God are heard more clearly. When I need specific direction concerning family issues, fasting is vital. Many times a pastor will call his church members to fast when they are faced with certain issues, such as a building program, or setting leadership in place. Some have fasted for the healing of someone else.

Here are some biblical references to fasting…
To strengthen prayer life…1 Corinthians 7:1-5, Matthew 17:14-21
To set apart and prepare for ministry…Acts 13:3, Matthew 4:1-11
For deliverance and protection…Psalm 109:21-25
For humility and intervention…Psalm 35:13-14
For overcoming temptation…Matthew 4:1-11
To express love and worship toward God…Luke 2:36-38

Abstaining from anything that’s important to us is tough, but if you’re serious about receiving direction from God, or pressing into his presence, or knowing him on a much deeper level, then a food fast is most effective. Because it truly is depriving your body of what it wants and needs. Not watching TV for a week, or staying off the computer is more of a convenience thing. But for some people it’s a place to start.

My experiences with fasting is that the first two days are usually the toughest. I’m hungry just about all the time, except for the short time when I’m drinking my water or juice. But something happens the third day. I find the hunger pains going away almost completely by the end of the third day. By the end of the seventh day I feel that I could go on fasting. But I always break the fast at the seventh day. The challenge at that point is to eat small portions of healthy food to allow your body time to adjust to processing food again. I’ve not conquered that yet. After seven days of not eating I plow into what ever is near. I pay for that for a couple of days, if you know what I mean.

Those of you who experience the spiritual benefits of fasting know what I’m talking about. If you’ve never fasted from food before for spiritual purposes, let me encourage you to try it. Start with a one or two day fast. Then later try a three day fast. And work your way up to a seven day fast sometime. It truly is an awesome season with God, as we seek him, and hear his voice more clearly.

I welcome comments and questions. God bless you!

Brian

~ by Brian on May 3, 2007.