Fasting is not a spiritual discipline commonly practiced in the United States. There are many reasons I believe that is the case, but that is not the purpose of this blog. I do believe that Scripture teaches that Christians are expected to fast just as they are expected to pray. A casual reading through the Sermon on the Mount easily communicates this truth. Just as it teaches “as you pray” and we are expected to pray it also teaches “as you fast” because we are expected to fast.
I would like to challenge you to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance this week leading up to Easter and consider fasting for one 24-hour period. The purpose of the fast is to both better prepare yourself for Easter and petition God to do something remarkable in and through our church.
Below are a few simple thoughts on fasting that I have picked up over the years. What are your experiences with spiritual fasting? How have you seen God work in your life during these times?
1. DO check with the Holy Spirit–and your doctor–before beginning a major fast.
2. DO try to get all your household necessities accomplished. Get the shopping done, get the laundry done, whatever. If you have family members to feed, feed them, maybe stick a pizza in or something simple for them. We need to give ourselves time for prayer and especially the time we would normally be eating can be dedicated to prayer.
3. DON’T go around telling people you are fasting. Avoid making it a just another religious ritual. That would indicate pride and remember we are to be humble when we fast. It’s okay to tell someone like your spouse so they know what is going on. The reason you are fasting is what is important. As much as possible keep your fast a secret; beware against pride. Pray, “Cleanse me. Break me. I humble myself before You with fasting.”
4. DO ask the Holy Spirit to anoint you and give you a personal revelation of God: “I want to know Jesus more. Come and bring holiness to me. Make the Word of God come alive to me.” As Job said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You”. (Job 42:5)
5. DO ask the Lord to illuminate His word and give you a greater understanding of who He is. Proverbs 29:18 warns, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. (KJV)
6. DO ask God to renew the hearts of His people. The church needs to be renewed — without racism, hatred, bitterness, envy and strife. Love must reign supreme in all that we do and say. The church of God needs a new sense of holiness and godliness.
7. DON’T try a long fast without first attempting just a day fast, then next time you can try a two day fast, and go a little longer after that.
8. DON’T do business as usual when fasting. Just skipping meals doesn’t impress God. Fasting does not produce merit or make us appear better in God’s sight, but it can express utter unselfish self-forgetfulness and self-denial. Remember that it is to, and for, God that we are fasting.
9. DON’T continue in all of your worldly entertainment, business and preoccupations with no thought of God. All you will do is starve yourself. And what are you gaining? Nothing. Fasting and prayer must go together. This doesn’t mean that you cease your normal life altogether, instead, focus your thoughts on God, with extended periods of time on your knees, crying out to Him.
10. DON’T ever fast for selfish reasons. Fasting is to help you recognize your total dependence on God. You receive God’s blessings and power based totally on what Jesus has done for you, not on anything you could ever do.
11. DO remember that God is more concerned with your spiritual life than with your physical life, so not eating in and of itself is no big deal to God. However, from what you have learned here, along with a humble heart, a broken and repentant spirit does touch the heart of God.
Randy Harp 