What Is Fasting?
What Is Biblical Fasting?
Biblical fasting is the voluntary choice to give up food for a period of time to devote yourself to prayer. Examples of fasting in scripture are plentiful, and the reasons for fasting are many (i.e., discernment, protection, grief, worship, repentance).
Biblical fasting is always about food, but it’s not just about food.
Why food? Because food is essential for life. You cannot fast from something that is not necessary or even harmful.
However, it is good to abstain from other things while fasting. Get rid of distractions. What’s the point of fasting if you’re just going to distract yourself with something else?
This is also a great time to focus on growing other spiritual disciplines (i.e., silence, simplicity, scripture memorization, generosity, etc.) as your focus more time and attention on the Lord.
Fasting is a way to decrease the distance between God and us. It’s a way to tune into the Lord’s voice. It’s an invitation for the Holy Spirit to fill us, to use us, and to lead us.
It’s important to note that fasting does not earn you points with God. Fasting is a way to draw near to and remain in God, not a form of coercion to get what you want.
Jesus fasted, and He expects us to fast (Matthew 6:16-18).
When you fast, act normal. Yes, you’re hungry and tired, but don’t make a big deal out of it.
When you fast, don’t be sneaky. Don’t be afraid of talking about it. Don’t boast, but don’t hide it either.
Fasting is an act of self-denial.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).
Self-denial is not about showing off how tough and disciplined you are. It’s about aligning your mind, body, and spirit toward the Lord. We deny ourselves so that we can more fully surrender ourselves.
Fasting is an act of surrender.
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24 NIV).
Prayer and fasting is an act of surrender that leads to increased intimacy with God. Increased intimacy leads to increased spiritual authority. There is no authority without intimacy. God does not give His power to strangers. He gives His power to those who know and love Him.
Fasting recalibrates our hearts and desires, but only if we surrender. Without surrender, fasting is just a diet.
Fasting is an act of abiding.
“Remain [abide] in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5 NLT).
As Jesus fasted in the wilderness, it was just Him and the Father. He was tempted by the devil for a time, but I wonder if those forty days weren’t the best, most intimate days of His earthly life.
Fasting helps to shorten the time between our thoughts of God. It helps to return our drifting minds and hearts to the Lord – to practice His presence.
How to Fast
The only question is, “How long?” How many meals per day for how many days?
Start by fasting one meal per day. What’s important is to make a plan and stick to it. As mentioned earlier, it would also be wise to include in your fasting plan some things you will abstain from (i.e., social media, video games, movies).
Challenge yourself. Don’t just do what you’ve always done. Don’t get comfortable. Try new ways of fasting.
Anyone Can Fast
You may not be able to do a total fast, but figure out how you can fast based on your circumstances and health limitations, even if you can only do a partial fast (i.e., Daniel Fast).
Prioritize Time in God’s Presence
Not eating lunch can be quite convenient. You don’t need to worry about packing lunch or going out to buy something. You can just work through the lunch hour. Don’t.
Plan extra time with Jesus during the day. Pray. Worship. Read the Bible. Intercede for others. Journal. Without this, fasting loses much of its purpose and power.
Am I Doing It Right?
“But I didn’t feel anything. Am I doing it right? What am I doing wrong? What’s wrong with me?”
Maybe you’ve fasted before, but nothing happened, and you were left asking those questions. Those questions and feelings only become louder when you hear amazing fasting testimonies from others. But here’s one simple question for you.
While you were fasting, did you pray more than normal?
If your fasting has led you to pray more than normal, your fasting is making an impact. There’s always room for growth, but I assure you, if you’re praying more, you’re doing it right.
Your prayers are worth far more than a feeling. Don’t give up.
Create a Fasting Plan
How many meals per day will you fast?
How many days will your fast?
What other things will you abstain from during your fast?
What is your plan to spend extra time with Jesus during your fast? When? What will you do? Where?
What other spiritual disciplines are you focusing on during your fast?
