Fasting
Fasting is an ancient practice to help us break the power of our ‘flesh’ and to learn to feed on Holy Spirit. We live in a culture of excess, not only in food, but of luxury and addiction. For many of us, our bodies hold power over us and we have become enslaved to its desires. Fasting helps us overcome this.
What is Fasting?
Fasting biblically speaking is what Dallas Willard calls a “discipline of abstinence” for a specific period of time, but one can fast or abstain from other things. Dallas Willard in his book, “The Spirit of Disciplines”, says that “Fasting confirms our utter dependance upon God by finding in him a source of sustenance beyond food”. He also goes onto say that fasting is one of the more important ways of practicing self-denial which is required of everyone who follows Jesus.
Fasting is an exchange
Fasting is an exchange, exchanging one source of comfort to another source, in this case, God and His Word. The idea is that when we fast from whatever in our life that brings us comfort and then exchange that thing for God, allowing Him to become our comfort instead. To some, it may reveal how much we use food as a source of comfort to cover the discomfort we may feel as a result of our lack of self-worth, meaning, purpose, rest or even exercise.
“A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God’s commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands.”
What is the purpose of fasting?
In 1 Peter 2 v 11 we are urged to “abstain from fleshly lusts which wages war against the soul”. The greek word used for abstinence closely relates to the word used for training, as in athletes training for a race. This practice quickly reveals a lot about ourselves. It reveals how much of our peace is dependant on external pleasures such as eating and drinking. One role of fasting is to train us to control our appetites & bodies. Through prayer and fasting, we intentionally reorientate ourselves towards God.
Through fasting we learn to control our fleshly appetites, our bodies and to free up time to seek God instead. As Western Believers, we don’t fully understand how much we are led by our flesh, bodies and carnal (human) nature, our bodies have become our master. The main purpose is to spend time with God and to learn to be led from our spirit and not from our flesh/carnal nature.
Fasting is Personal
It is important to understand the what and why’s of fasting. This will be personal for each person. You need to learn how your body responds and even your emotions during a fast. There are many health benefits to fasting as it helps reset your immune and gut systems.
Maybe you are pregnant or a nursing mother, or on medication that requires food or perhaps a high performance athlete. If that is the case, then one may need to fast from something other than food. We could fast specific food items such as coffee, alcohol, sweet items as well as forms of entertainment like TV or social media.
“Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power. ”
Fasting is not easy
Fasting can be tough because you are choosing to pick a fight with your flesh. Remember it isn't about strengthening your will power. This is an invitation to make space for God and create a deeper hunger for Him.
The Practice
You may want to fast privately or together with your family, friends, home group or larger church community. It is up to you. Fasting is a spiritual practice that you train in. It is very important to start off slowly and work up to the more advanced options.
Prep for your time of Fasting - This is important before a time of fasting, to prep yourself so that you will be ready to go. This means not only physically but mentally and spiritual too.
Some questions to reflect on, in the days leading up to your fast:
What things are you planning to abstain from?(see below*)
Why have you chosen this?
What are you hoping to gain during this time?
Currently, how connected do you feel with Jesus?
What needs to shift so you can invest more in your relationship with Jesus?
What area of expectation do you want God to raise your faith in?
just starting out?
There are valid reasons that some people should not fast, i.e. certain medications & illnesses, eating disorders, pregnant / nursing mothers etc. If this is the case then you can choose the non food options.
To begin - Choose a day or time period - See options below.
Important to Note: If you are a regular coffee or tea drinker, it would be good idea to start tapering your intake a few days before you abstain fully.
When you feel a hungry or thinking about food, use it as a prayer prompt. Turn to God instead and in exchange for food, feast on Him. Think of who He is etc. Use your imagination and picture yourself, sitting next to Him. Ask Him to help you ‘starve’ your flesh and feed your spirit.
Choose ONE of the following:
Choose a specific food item to abstain from - sugar / sweets / carbs / alcohol / coffee etc
Skip one meal per day
Skip one meal in a 24 hour period and then work your way to a full 24 hours.
Skip an evening meal to start and then go through to the next day ending either at lunch or dinner.
Another option is a 12 hour fast, so from sun-up to sun-down.
Fast from social media / TV / entertainment / exercise. Decide on what you are going to exchange your time for doing. If you normally watch TV in the evening, then devote that time to reading of scripture and prayer. Maybe go for a walk, if during the day.
Advanced Fasting Methods
Only attempt these options once you have practiced fasting on a regular basis for some time. Once you are more attuned to your body’s responses, you can move to longer time periods.
What to replace your time with
Reading scripture - Instead of preparing food or watching TV / social media, read a portion of scripture (Psalms 119 is a good place to start) to ‘feast’ on scripture. Try doing the Lectio Divina as an option.
Use a Journal - Write down what thoughts that are consuming you, or ask a question “Why do I feel this way?” especially if you are hangry and you feel like you can’t last a few hours. Remember not to guilt trip yourself.
If you need to break a Habit - Identify a habit or sin pattern in your “flesh” that you want to break. Spend the day in prayer asking for freedom in this area. Just focus on one habit at a time.
If you are fasting in community, It is important to join the corporate prayer times for encouragement and talk about your experiences and pray together. Keep choosing to join even if you are tired, hungry or have a headache! When you end your fast in community, you can celebrate by bringing light meals and sharing with each other.
Questions to work through:
What is your response to this practice?
How does it make you feel?
Do you believe in fasting on a regular basis?
Do you have an encouraging story to share about fasting and it’s role it has played in your following Jesus?