When We Fast

Some Christians fast only during Lent, the forty-day period before Easter.

Scripture does not demand that Christians fast. But it does say enough about fasting that makes it a good practice for all believers to do often and not just for Lent. 

Why do we fast?

The goal of the Christian fast is to renew and deepen our relationship with our Father. It is not to punish or deny our flesh.

GOD the Father must be the center of our attention as we fast and not the thing we give up. To think most of the act of denial and sacrifice we make is useless to a fast.

JESUS tells His disciples exactly what their demeanor and state of mind must be during a fast:

“Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

We do not fast to be more spiritual than our friends, nor as an act of penance. We fast with a spirit of humility and joy.

In Isaiah 58 GOD chastises Israel for fasts that are just showy rituals. He says these fasts are empty acts and a sham form of obedience done only to pacify Him. GOD knew the people were breaking all of His laws during their fasts.

This type of fasting has little to do with holiness because it shows no honor or reverence for GOD

GOD tells Israel exactly what He thinks about this behavior – “Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast, and oppress all your workers. You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today, hoping to make your voice heard on high. Will the fast I choose be like this: A day for a person to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord?” Isaiah 58:3-5

Our fasts ought to be sincere, acts born out of the love we say we have for GOD. We are showing Him that we want to be more obedient, grow closer and strengthen our relationship with Him.

We want His will to be our will.

 “Isn’t the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:6-7

How do we fast?

A true fast is to put aside something we enjoy to pay more attention to GOD.

Most people choose to fast from food but for some not eating may not be possible for health or other legitimate reasons.

Other types of fasts please GOD just as well, if our motive and focus are godly. If we look sincerely at our daily lives we will all find plenty we could give up briefly for more fellowship with God.

Social media sites, television shows, smart phones, etc. are as necessary to life for some as is food. So much so that not eating for a week may be easier to do than giving up any of these. There’s an idea, if you need one, and no more need to be said!

The apostle Paul discusses godly marriages to the Corinthian church and he approves a fast from sexual intimacy, if both spouses agree. Do not deprive one another sexually—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Fasting should be for a set period of time, especially fasting from food. Going without food for extended periods can be harmful to our bodies. We do not use fasting as a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight.  

Why combine fasting and prayer?

One of the spiritual benefits of being totally GOD-focused is that we hear the Holy Spirit speak to us more clearly.  Through the Spirit, GOD shows us our true needs and He purifies our motives.

We are given open door of great grace from our Father and we use the gift to bombard heaven. As we talk to Him about things that trouble and concern us, for ourselves and/or people we love, our prayers go deeper and our hearts are more yielding and ready to obey.

We have many examples in Scripture that link fasting with prayer. Several are in the New Testament, for example:

The Book of Acts tell a story of disciples “ministering to the Lord and fasting” for the Holy Spirit’s help to make the best missionary choices to send into a new region: “Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3. Also Acts 14:23

Mark 9:14-29 tells of some of JESUS’ disciples who wanted to know the reason why they were unable to heal a demon-possessed child but He did. His answer shows them what they were not prepared to heal in this case: “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (verse 29)

It bears repeating that our goal in fasting – to give up food or other worldly pleasures temporarily, is deeper fellowship with GOD.

What we choose to give up is not half as important if we make our fast an act that pleases GOD. And to do it GOD’s way will work out for our good in the end:

 “Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer; when you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’” Isaiah 58:8-9:

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Almighty GOD and Father, all praise, honor and glory belong only to YOU! Thank you for the privilege of fasting to draw us into intimate fellowship with YOU while YOUR grace causes us to grow in righteousness. Thank YOU for YOUR WORD that teaches do everything as unto YOU and not to our flesh or to appease humans. May we seek the right attitude according to YOUR WORD so that we may stand mature and fully assured in YOUR will whenever we fast. Give us hearts and eyes that look always toward YOU, or Father, our Protector, our Creator and our Sovereign LORD. YOU delight in us when we delight in and adore YOU; let delight for YOU be the one true desire of our hearts. We pray and ask all things in JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile