"by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
Food does not sustain us.
God sustains us.
-Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
It's amazing how often the subject of fasting comes up in the Bible. Throughout the texts of both the Old and New Testaments, fasting refers to the abstaining of food for spiritual purposes. The various methods of fasting range from the absolute fast (no food or water), to the typical fast (water, but no food) to an intentional abstinence from specific foods or practices.
Fasting has been such a common occurrence throughout human history, that Jesus made reference to it during His sermon on the mount, saying, "when you fast…" as though to imply that people will fast.
But why? What is the point?
Fasting is an uncomfortable discipline… especially in this time, in this culture. It is a literal way of humbling ourselves and accepting the fact that we are not in control - God is. King David crys out, "I humbled my soul with fasting!" (Ps. 69:10)
Fasting is a means of connecting with God on a deeper spiritual level than found through the routine spiritual practices we allow ourselves. As Chronicles 7:14 states, "If my people humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin."
One of the traditions of the Catholic church is to practice a time of Lent before the celebration of Easter. a person does not have to be Catholic to appreciate this type of spiritual discipline. Daniel declared "I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth…"
Challenge #2: Choose a fast or Lent. Practice the discipline of fasting. Allow yourself a time to abstain from one, two, maybe three meals. Or, if you choose, practice Lent for the next 40 days. Pick something, a food, a habit, something that tends to control you… and let it go! During this time, concentrate on your prayer life, your worship, your study. Offer petitions to God. Praise Him. And listen.
There are two primary results of fasting. Deliverance and Revelation.
We may choose to fast during times of distress or trouble, pleading with God to give comfort, guidance, strength, wisdom… and God may choose to deliver us! Regardless of the intent, the Lord will often allow us to see things we did not see before. We receive spiritual clarity and other insights that God chooses to reveal to us, but that we probably did not expect! These blessings, deliverance and revelation, are extremely important to our spiritual maturity.
God bless you and be with you on this journey. If you choose, please let us know of your choices to fast or Lent, and what you have experienced as a result!
Im a little behind in getting around to reading this, but awesome. I always say I'm going to fast but then never do, saying to myself "I dont need to give that up, I have discipline..." clearly exhibiting that I dont.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a great opportunity to finally do that with a group to hold me accountable, despite the distance.
What are some things that everyone else plans to give up?
-brittany
I just got done fasting and what a two days it is. I have never been without food for that long. So instead, I turned to God. What an awesome two days for prayer. I found myself praying even more than I do. Praying for God to curb my hunger to focus more on him, and just thanking God for actually having access to food if needed. Some go without food for days because they cannot afford it. It made me grateful to be living the life that I am living. Praise God!
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