What comes to mind when you hear the word “fasting”? Have you ever considered adding fasting to your regular spiritual rhythms?
Fasting has been practiced across cultures for centuries. It’s been used for anything from spiritual development, to healing, to protesting against injustices, to dietary regulation since ancient times. Traditionally, many religions have specific fasting days or periods, such as Ramadan in Islam, Lent in Christianity, and Yom Kippur in Judaism. More recently, fasting has appeared in the health and wellness world since, according to research, it offers a plethora of physical health benefits and promotes longevity.
In Matthew chapter 6 while giving His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “When you fast…”
When. Not if. This means that Jesus understood that His disciples would participate in the practice of fasting.
But why? And what is it, really?
What is fasting, really?
Pastor and biblical scholar Tim Mackie says that “fasting is a way to pray with your whole body. It’s temporarily restraining your physical appetites in order to connect with God in a posture of surrender, remembering that only God can satisfy our deepest longings.”
Put simply: in place of eating, you’re praying.
There is no command in Scripture from God to fast. However, it is an ongoing practice, or habit, that marked growth and transformation in the lives of His people throughout the Old and New Testaments and for centuries after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Moses, Esther, the Apostles, Jesus Himself, and many other notable figures in Scripture would mark milestone moments in their lives as sacred by entering into the practice of fasting. Generally, God’s people would fast for one of four reasons: to humble themselves before God (Ezra 8, Psalm 35, 1 Kings 21), to apologize to God and realign their hearts with His desires (2 Samuel 12, Daniel 9, Jonah 3), to grieve (2 Samuel 1, Judges 20, Nehemiah 1), and to hear from God (Esther 4, Matthew 4, Acts 13).
We on Browncroft’s Elder Board have embraced this ritual monthly for a few years now. We began to practice fasting together to seek clarity, direction, and unity as leaders, shepherds, overseers, and protectors of the integrity of the Gospel within our church. As I’ve participated each month, I’ve grown to anticipate the incredible ways God uses fasting and prayer together to deepen my relationship with Him and to teach me. I appreciate how this kind of praying with my body noticeably amplifies my prayers before God, and I have confidence to do the work He’s called me to. I cherish the way this group experience unifies us as God’s people as we work together to disciple our brothers and sisters and fight our common enemy.
Pastor John Mark Comer says that fasting “helps us to discern God’s voice through the noise and distraction of our lives. It sharpens our minds… It makes it easier for us to hear how God is coming to us, to hear His will, and to hear His direction for our lives.” This is great news for us – and devastating news for the evil one.
God has used the people of Browncroft Community Church to advance His kingdom and stand firm against the powers of darkness for over 100 years. Imagining the saints before us praying and fasting for our current ministries, leaders, and every single person who belongs to our church now is both humbling and exciting! God has been faithful to respond to their prayers and fasts, and now it is us to whom He will be faithful to respond.
When your mind reminds you that your body is hungry, use that sacred reminder as an opportunity to lift up words of joy, thanksgiving, confession, and requests for wisdom, discernment, and direction.
As your church family, we want to invite you to practice fasting with us. We believe God can and will use fasting in your life as you practice your faith in a meaningful and transformative way. After all, the Christian faith is not a set of facts we assent to, but a practice we live out that transforms us over time by way of the Holy Spirit.
We invite you to choose a day, or perhaps a string of days, in the near future where you will choose to sacrifice meals, snacks, and drinks (but please keep drinking lots of water… and some choose to include coffee!) and devote yourselves to prayer. (If you are pregnant, diabetic, have an eating disorder history, take medications requiring food, or have any health concerns at all, please consult a medical professional and consider fasting from something other than food.) When your mind reminds you that your body is hungry, use that sacred reminder as an opportunity to lift up words of joy, thanksgiving, confession, and requests for wisdom, discernment, and direction. And remember, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6 NLT). Expect God to be faithful to you as you fast and pray.
If you’d like to share with us a testimony of how the Lord used your fast, please send an email to us via the “Contact Us” button on our Elder Board page. We’d love to hear from you!
I can’t wait to see how God speaks to you as you embark on your fasting journey!
Blessings,
Christina
