Down through the years fasting has become an undesirable, unused, and misused tool that most Christians shudder and cringe upon hearing. Seemingly, the mere thought of having to give up one’s favorite meals or snacks somehow hurts the human psyche. Food has become such a crutch for so many people instead of the source of nourishment it was ordained to be, that some people view fasting as a completely unattainable task.
Fasting is not only attainable for every believer, but it should be regularly practiced by believers as it is beneficial for one’s spiritual growth and intimacy with God. Spiritual fasting should never be used as a way to “earn” favor with God; nor should our fasting be a bargaining tool. Instead our fasting is to induce a change within us and give us the ability to be more focused on the work of God in our lives, and consecrate our hearts, minds and spirits to hear the voice of God without distractions. Having a clear understanding of the purpose and benefits of fasting will increase one’s willingness and expectation during this time of consecration.
• What is spiritual fasting? Spiritual fasting is one purposefully choosing to deny or refrain from one’s specific habitual acts of living and continually choose to await direction from God as well as drawing close to God.
• The main focus of spiritual fasting is to abstain from eating all foods and concentrate on continual prayer. It is a means of redirecting your attention from temporal (earthly) things, to God. It is also a way of demonstrating to God that you are totally dependent on him, and you have assurance that he will sustain you during this time.
Fasting is a great time of consecration as you give total submission to God, petitioning him with a certain need; you may be seeking deliverance, clarification, or direction. Fasting is not only a way to petition God for yourself, but can be done as intercessory for another or corporately as a church body. When starting out, set a realistic timeframe; start off slowly and as you grow in your experience in fasting increase your time.
Also note there are many ways to partake in a spiritual fast: there is a complete and total fast, in which you completely abstain from all foods for a certain amount of time, only consuming water. Then there is the Daniel Fast, in which you only consume fruits, vegetables, water and 100% natural juices. Your decision to fast should be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Fasting should never be done publicly for acknowledgment or accolades, but fasting should be done in a private way. Jesus spoke against this type of false act of religious demonstrations (Matthew 6:16-18)
My brother’s and my sister’s whenever you fast, however you fast, how often you fast, make sure that your purpose is pure and honorable before God, and watch the Lord bless you for your act of sacrifice, and for your desire to be closer to him.
**Scripture Ref: 1 Kings 19:7-18, Daniel 1:3-13, Esther 4:13-16, Nehemiah 1:4-2:10, Isaiah 58, Luke 2:37, Matthew 4:1-11, Acts 9:9
Be Blessed
TLJ
