while today

Have you given much thought about fasting?  Many references to fasting fill the pages of scripture, and yet we don’t talk about it much, and many Christians do not practice it.  What is fasting all about?  Is fasting something we are “commanded” to do?  While fasting may not be commanded for Christians, it is clearly something that has great spiritual value.  Jesus Himself fasted (Matthew 4:1-2) and pronounced that God will reward those who fast with the right motives (Matthew 6:18).  We also can see that both the saints of old and the saints of the 1^st century church practiced fasting.  Let us turn to the word to see some of the important purposes of this spiritual practice.

Fasting is a way in which we can humble ourselves before God as we pray to Him.  Listen to the words of Ezra: “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey…” (Ezra 8:21 NAS95)

Fasting is a way in which we can more fully turn our attention to the Lord and seek His face, as the prophet Daniel wrote, “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting… (Daniel 9:3 NAS95)

Fasting is associated with repentance from sin.  The prophet Joel writes: “‘Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning’…” (Joel 2:12 NAS95)

Fasting was practiced by the early church when embarking on an important work.  It is said of the prophets and teachers in Antioch, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’  Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3 NAS95) Thus began the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Saul.  In this account, it seems that the apostles and teachers were fasting as part of their usual ministry, but then, upon receiving word from the Spirit to commission Barnabas and Saul, they fasted some more as they prayed for the work they were about to begin. There are many other passages that we could mention, but these should suffice to show us the value of fasting.  Perhaps it is something you and I can incorporate into our own walk with God.