Overview
Fasting is one of the most abused and least used spiritual disciplines. Yet, for millennia, it has been a core practice for followers of Jesus. All the great heroes of the Old Testament fasted. The first story we read about Jesus’ adult life is about fasting for forty days and nights, like Moses and Elijah before him. The central characters of the New Testament continued this practice, as did the early church, which fasted twice a week - every Wednesday and Friday - for over millennia. It was not until relatively recently that fasting fell out of favor.
And that comes as no surprise. We live in a culture not only of food but of excess and luxury and addiction to what psychologists call “the pleasure principle.” Yet, for so many of us, the desires of our bodies have come to hold power over us. In the battle with our “flesh,” we have become its slave, not its master.
Fasting is an ancient Christian discipline to break the power of the flesh in our life – our desires, sins, and cravings – and to feed on the Holy Spirit.
Like all the spiritual disciplines, it’s straightforward to lose sight of the “why” behind fasting.
Here’s the Practice
Set aside a day to fast. Pick a time to end the fast. We recommend starting your fast with your meal in the evening and going through lunch tomorrow. Another option is the “regular” fast, which goes from sunup to sundown, about twelve hours – so you would skip breakfast and lunch and then eat a late dinner. You can make your fast longer by skipping more meals (perhaps fasting for a full twenty-four hours) or shorter by breaking your fast at noon or 3 pm. Again, it’s your call.
As you fast on the day you decide, each time you feel a hunger pain or think about food or take a lunch break (with no lunch!), use it as a prompt for prayer. Use your imagination to “see” yourself drawing strength from God himself. Turn your heart to God and ask him to starve your flesh and feed your Spirit.
If you want a “value-added” experience, here are three other things you can do:
1. Break a Habit: Identify a specific sin, habit, or pattern in your “flesh” that you want to break. Spend the day in prayer for freedom in that area.
2. Journal: Take a little time for self-reflection. Get your journal out or go for a walk and think about what this practice reveals about you. Richard Foster said, “Fasting reveals the things that control us.” If you feel “hangry” all day or can’t make it more than a few hours, ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” Treat yourself compassionately, as God does, yet honestly as well. Remember: the point isn’t a guilt trip but freedom.
3. Read Scripture – “Feed” on the word of God, as Jesus did in the wilderness.
Find someone to talk to about your experience. Again, we recommend you begin your fast by skipping your regular meal and spend the time you usually eat praying together. But that’s up to you!
Work Through These Questions
1. How do you feel about this new practice?
2. What area of your life would you love to get more freedom in?
3. In what ways do the dangers of a spiritual discipline like fasting often keep us from God's good for us?
Prayer
You may have more time to pray if you're not eating. Take as long as you want. Start by reading a Psalm and ask Jesus to turn your affections to him. Ask him to reveal the areas in your flesh that need to be starved and begin praying into those.