The Purpose of Fasting
Why would we choose to fast as a spiritual discipline?
Verse of the Day
“Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Today’s Devotional
I just read through many of the scriptures that mention fasting. Many of them surround a time of mourning or requesting specific guidance from God about a particular situation. Jesus fasted right after His baptism, likely to fellowship more deeply with the Father in preparation for His ministry. If we were to incorporate fasting into our spiritual disciplines, along with engaging the Word, meditation, and prayer, what would be the purpose or goal other than following the Biblical example?
There is no greater purpose we can seek than God Himself. If the purpose of fasting is to put us in a position to experience more of God, then why would we not? Richard Foster says, “Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained. If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Once our primary purpose of fasting is firmly fixed in our hearts, we will see that more than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.” Foster then gives an example of someone who says they cannot fast because going without food makes them angry. He points out that the anger was always there, but fasting reveals it.
Foster further explains: “Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. In experiences of fasting, we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting! Fasting helps us keep our balance in life. How easily we begin to allow nonessentials to take precedence in our lives. How quickly we crave things we do not need until we are enslaved to them. Our human cravings and desires are like rivers that tend to overflow their banks; fasting helps keep them in their proper channels. Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way. It is a means of God’s grace and blessing that should not be neglected any longer.”
As with all things, I can only share my experience, which is very limited. A couple days ago I mentioned the time that our church asked us to fast. We chose to abstain from food from dinner Friday night until dinner Saturday night, and we used no screens (TV, phone, iPad, etc.) from Friday night until Sunday after church. What I found interesting was how often I forgot that I was fasting and thought, “I’m hungry, I need a snack.” I would then remember that I was fasting and was reminded that my stomach truly behaves like a spoiled toddler. I prayed that God would help me to crave Him the way my stomach craves food. The most interesting part (for me) was spending that much time without my phone or the TV. There were no built-in diversions. So we spent much longer than normal in our Bible reading and journaling. We took the time to read spiritual books that we don’t normally take the time to read. We had great conversations about God and our faith and our struggles. I prayed a lot.
The thing that stands out to me most about that experience is the sweetness of it. It felt special. It made me realize how much I turn to the TV or my phone to “turn my brain off”. It made me want more of that sweet, tender time with God. Since that weekend 18 months ago, I have done a few more fasts. Probably only a handful. Some of them have been very tender and meaningful, some of them have been more more of a wresting match.
If the roots of faith have to dig down deeper into the soil of God to have strong, sustainable growth, then maybe fasting is part of that digging or deepening. I’ll admit that it is not comfortable to be confronted by how attached I am to food and screens. But if we look at today’s verse again, it says that the Father will reward our efforts in seeking Him. And as much as I may want breakthroughs or divine wisdom, there is no better reward than having more of the Father.
So here is my challenge for myself: Fast once a week for a month. Each week, I am going to try a different type of fast. Food, screens, coffee, sodas, speaking, sugar: there are many choices of things I could give up for a 24 hour period that I would miss and that would remind me to hunger for the Father. I am going to be intentional about reflecting on each week’s fast and allow the Holy Spirit to show me what needs to become a regular part of my spiritual discipline practice.
Are you willing to join me?
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
What nonessential things might you be enslaved to?
What spiritual breakthrough would you ask God for today?
Have you ever had a time with God that was especially sweet? Write it down so you will remember it.
Is the reward of having more of the Father enough for you? Why or why not?
How could you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice?