CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

A GUIDE TO FASTING

What is Fasting?

Traditionally, fasting is voluntarily going without food for a period of time for spiritual purposes. There are a variety of different reasons for fasting but ultimately it is about our relationship with the Lord. Fasting is a way of consecrating or setting yourself aside for the Lord. Fasting is not simply turning away from something desirable it is the turning toward the Lord. By withholding something that our body or mind desires we are choosing to fast in order to feast on God.

Throughout the Bible, fasts were done individually (1 Samuel 7:6; Nehemiah 1:4; Matthew 4:2), in groups (Ezra 8:21; Acts 13:2), and by entire nations (2 Chronicles 20:3; Esther 4:16; Jonah 3:5).

For some, fasting will bring a new dimension to their walks with the Lord. For others, fasting will be a catalyst to spiritual revival. Some will experience greater release from the bondage of sin. Others will experience greater fruitfulness in ministry or witnessing.

Jesus told His disciples that they would receive more from the Lord as a result of their fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) and Anna the prophetess who fasted regularly was able to discern that the baby Jesus was the Messiah who would bring redemption to Israel (Luke 2:36-38). When Jesus was physically hungry He found spiritual sustenance from doing His Father’s work (John 4:31-36, Matthew 4:2-4).

Fasting is usually combined with prayer and can be an expression to the Lord of our deep feelings and desires such as anguish (Judges 20:26); sorrow for sin (1 Samuel 7:6); mourning (1 Samuel 31:13); earnestness (2 Samuel 12:16); and humility (Ezra 8:21).

Fasting is NOT a hunger strike where we try to manipulate God to act on our behalf. We cannot twist God’s arm through fasting with the misguided goal of controlling Him. Instead, fasting is a way of posturing ourselves before the Lord such that we are yielded to Him and align our hearts with His will.

The Purpose of Fasting

Generally, there are three primarypurposes for fasting:

  1. To seek God’s help during times of crisis or challenge.

The Israelites were often under attack by foreign armies (2 Chronicles 20:3), threatened with annihilation (Esther 9:31), in need of divine protection (Ezra 8:21), or needing divine favor (Nehemiah 1:4). Fasting during these times expressed the deep anguish due to the circumstances and dependence upon God to act on their behalf. The church leaders at Antioch faced the great challenge of fulfilling the Great Commission. Therefore, as they were fasting and worshipping the Lord, they heard the Holy Spirit direct them to send Paul and Barnabas on the inaugural missionary journey (Acts 13:2).

  1. To draw us closer to the Lord.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is seldom practiced by most Christians in spite of the fact that when Jesus gave instructions regarding this discipline He did so assuming that His followers would fast (Matthew 6:16). Fasting can be a spiritual discipline that heightens our hunger for Him and expands our capacity to hear and receive from Him. We live in a culture and society where self-gratification is not just the norm, it is celebrated. Every craving and desire is sought after and justified. Fasting is one discipline that teaches us to say ‘no’ to our flesh. Although food is a necessity for life, it is not a necessity that needs to control us. Fasting is a tangible way for us to offer ourselves to the Lord as we abstain from food for a period of time yet feast on God. When fasting is done as a spiritual discipline it can train us in the area of self-control (2 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Corinthians 7:5) so that we are not controlled by our physical needs (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) but by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

  1. To prepare us for intense ministry responsibilities or encounters.

After hearing from the Lord that Paul and Barnabas should be sent on the missionary journey, the leaders of the church again fasted and prayed then commissioned them for this historical work of bringing the gospel to Asia Minor (Acts 13:3). Paul and Barnabas likewise appointed elders in the new churches and before commissioning them they fasted and prayed (Acts 14:23). Before Jesus was tempted by Satan He fasted (Matthew 4:1-11) and there appears to be a possible correlation between fasting and effectiveness in deliverance of certain kinds of demonic spirits (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29).

What to Fast From

Fasting typically involves abstaining from food for a period of time. There may be times when people participate in a partial fast, abstaining from certain types of foods as in the case of Daniel and his colleagues (Daniel 1:8-16), or limit the number of meals they eat.

There is much freedom in terms of what we might choose to fast from. When seeking to fast it’s a good practice to ask the Lord what would be appropriate and for how long. Some examples of this might be fasting from watching television, sports, Facebook, surfing the web, playing video games, shopping, wearing make-up, reading secular books, etc. Whatever it is it should be something that is significant to you and perhaps something that has the allure of capturing too much of your heart, time, or thoughts. The time you would normally spend participating in these activities should be devoted to intentionally connecting with God.For example couples may choose to fast from sexual intercourse for a period of time in order to draw closer to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:5).

Cautions Regarding Fasting

  • Avoid ritualistic fasting

Like any other form of worship, fasting can lose its benefit if it’s done in a manner where it becomes ritualistic and disconnected with our hearts. This was the problem addressed in Isaiah 58 where people fasted yet fought amongst each other, exploited each other, and basically did as they pleased (Isaiah 58:3-4). We must make sure we don’t fall into the error of going through the motions (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).

  • Substituting fasting for acts of compassion

Another error to avoid is thinking that there is no value in fasting and instead we should do works of charity, mercy and justice. When the Lord said through the prophet that the type of fasting he has chosen was to “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free (Isaiah 58:6-7),” etc. the emphasis wasn’t on replacing traditional fasting but rather it revealed God’s heart for these things and that when we fast with the right heart these are the types of things we will have a greater desire for. The person who would rise up and denounce a call to fast by insisting that there should instead be a focus on social justice issues would be overlooking the obvious fact that Jesus and His disciples fasted.

  • Fasting to appear spiritual

There is a general warning against seeking to appear spiritual through fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), probably to gain greater standing or authority in the eyes of others. Therefore, the command to fast in secret should not be taken to mean that group fasts are illegitimate but simply a warning to have pure motives when we fast.

  • Health Risks

If you’ve never fasted before then it may be wise to consult your physician before engaging in fasting. If fasting from food poses a health risk, then things other than food can be substituted. Drinking water or fruit juices during a fast is also recommended.

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