“The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.”
-John Piper.
Ouch. I’ve spent most of my life with a sinful attitude toward food. I’ve often turned to food for comfort rather than the Father. I’ve relied on food to bring me happiness rather than finding joy in an abundant life with Christ. I’ve used food to mistreat the temple of the Holy Spirit. This made the spiritual discipline of fasting even more difficult for me to embrace.
For many Christians, fasting seems reserved for the super pious or spiritual giants, but Jesus assumed fasting would be a normal part of the Christian life. That’s why He used the phrase “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16) instead of saying, “If you decide you want to fast…”
If we’re called to fast regularly in our relationship with God, how do we do that?
· What should my motivation and posture be for fasting?
· How do I physically and spiritually prepare to fast?
· What are Biblical reasons for fasting?
Those are the topics covered in this three-part Care Ministries podcast series from Brookwood Church. My regular co-hosts and fellow Brookwood Care Ministries pastors, Gene Beckner, Doug Wildman and I recorded these sessions several months ago as a tool to help believers explore the spiritual discipline of fasting.
I’ve shortened my personal reflections and outline written below to be more blog-friendly, but this is an important topic, so I want to encourage you to listen to the three podcast episodes. If you don’t have time in one sitting, please use the download links and add them to your smart device.
Let’s look at each of these questions.
1. YOUR MOTIVATION AND POSTURE FOR FASTING
The first thing to consider in fasting is your motivation. As I mentioned above, I have struggled with food in the past, but fasting isn’t really about food. It’s about a relationship.
Fasting is a refocusing of your soul from the physical to the spiritual, and that requires us to have a humble posture before God. It’s not a ritual or a legalistic rule to follow. It’s about investing in your relationship with God and learning to rely on Him rather than the world.
If you’re married, imagine the benefit of saying, “We’re going to put aside some time that’s just for us. Let’s remove the distractions in our lives for a few days and just concentrate on being together.”
And what does it do to your relationship if you never invest that kind of time?
You can fast from television or social media if they’re a distraction in your relationship with God, but the Biblical example is always food. Why did God choose food? I think it’s because food is the thing we rely on most in the physical world. So if we hope to better rely on Christ in all things, food is a poignant place to start.
As we humbly approach God in a season of prayer and fasting, our desire should be to hear from Him as we dedicate ourselves to putting our relationship with Him above the blessings and provisions He’s given us.
So how do we physically and spiritually prepare for fasting?
2. PREPARE YOURSELF FOR FASTING
It’s important to note that we are not doctors. I did, however, play a doctor on TV once. Actually, my character was an orderly, but it takes the same amount of training to be a fake orderly as it does to be a fake doctor. In any case, we’re not doctors.
The things we discussed in this episode were from our own personal experience with fasting. If you’re new to fasting, I strongly encourage you to walk with other experienced Christians and consult your doctor before you begin.
The audio above offers more details, additional suggestions, and our honest experiences, but here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for fasting:
- Research fasting before you begin (biblically and medically).
- Check with your family doctor for specific health concerns based on your body.
- Fast in a group of other Christians for encouragement and guidance.
- Spend a few days eating lighter foods (non-acidic fruits, vegetables, etc.) for a less harsh transition when you start the fast. This will help you better focus on God at the beginning of the fast.
- I drink coffee, and if you drink a lot of caffeine drinks, I would really encourage you to do a two-step fast. I always stop drinking coffee several days before the full fast begins. This allows the coffee (or whatever caffeinated/sugar drink you rely on) to be fully out of my system before I start the food portion of the fast. Again, you want to remove any obstacles that will keep you from spending dedicated time with God.
- Stay hydrated throughout the fast.
- Create an environment that puts your mind in a peaceful place to receive from God; create an environment that removes distractions.
- Most importantly, make a plan.
Creating a plan is important or you may squander your time of fasting. Fasting isn’t really about the lack of food. It’s about being drawn closer to God as you rely on Him for strength. So if you just stop eating and go about your day without refocusing on God, your fast won’t be fruitful. How do you plan to replace physical food with spiritual food? Ask God how He wants to communicate with you during the fast.
Once you’ve prepared to fast, what are the Biblical reasons to come before God in fasting?
3. REASONS FOR FASTING
As we mentioned in the first recording, your motivation and posture during a fast are very important. Are we willing to humble ourselves before God to hear from Him? The third podcast recording above goes into detail about our own personal experiences, Biblical examples of fasting, and how to approach these reasons for fasting in your own life. While not an exhaustive list, here are some Biblical reasons to fast:
- To ask God what He wants to say to you with no agenda of your own. Go into your fast completely open.
- To prepare for ministry, not just professional ministry but God’s purpose for your life (Matthew 4:1-11).
- To seek protection, deliverance, and victory (Ezra 8; Judges 20:26).
- To worship God (Luke 2:36-38).
- To seek wisdom (James 1:5; Acts 14:23).
- To seek repentance (Nehemiah 9:1).
- To seek God in a time of grief or mourning (Nehemiah1:2-7; 2 Samuel 12; Matthew 9:15)
- To pray for the oppressed and overcoming injustice, seeking God’s direction on how you should address these issues as a follower of Christ (Isaiah 58:6).
- To approach God about a specific issue, but be open to what the Father wants to communicate to you. In other words, don’t be so focused on one outcome that you miss the experience God wants to have with you.
How have you approached fasting in your Christian walk? What did you gain from it? We’d love to have you comment below.
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The Brookwood Ministries Podcast is officially available through the Brookwood Church App, iTunes, PodBean, Spotify, and your device’s podcast app. The audio content is the property of Brookwood Church.
I’ve always been so curious about fasting. I especially appreciate the “how to prepare” aspect. As someone who has struggled with “hangriness” and low blood sugar in the past, I’ve avoided fasting till now. But I’m feeling a nudge…
A number of years ago I did a 24-hour fast one day a week during Lent. This was a day I set aside for prolonged time with the Lord in prayer, meditation, and study. I wasn’t working at the time so was able to protect that time. It was a sweet, sweet time. I tried it again the following year when I was working full-time and it didn’t have the same impact – because I didn’t have the time apart to really focus on the Lord. Instead, I was just hungry at work. Recently I’ve done the Daniel Fast during Lent and this has been amazing. While not a complete fast from food – this fast invades every single decision I make about food – and requires and constant awareness of the Spirit. I often wonder why I don’t keep doing it if it’s such a great experience and the honest answer is that it is really too restrictive and I really love food – love to cook, love to eat, love to share meals with friends. And I don’t have any kind of medical issues that mandate such a restrictive diet, so it works for Lent, but I can’t sustain it long term. That said – your thoughts and insights about fasting having me rethinking it in terms of needing to incorporate it somehow. I’m seeking to reconnect with the Lord as I’ve felt distance – and this may be a path forward.
I’m so glad you found this post helpful. I think you’re right about having dedicated time with God during the fast. It’s the most vital part of experiencing a fast. I too have done the Daniel fast and found it very rewarding. Thank you for sharing your story. I know it will encourage others who visit the page.
I don’t think modern churches address fasting as Jesus did, something that was supposed to be a normal part of our walk. I’ve given up something for Lent for the past few years as part of learning to fast. I’m not great about going without food at all. My blood sugar drops and I get shaky, so I often do a more limited fast – no coffee or skip breakfast and lunch as steps of obedience. But it’s something I think I’m still working up to a full fast or incorporating it more fully. Even if it’s just a no junk food fast and only healthy foods, it’s about surrendering what I want for a closer walk with Him. And I’ve learned a lot about surrender and how God fills those places we remove unhealthy things with righteousness.
Thank you for sharing your experience with fasting and your goals for the future. I agree that the American church doesn’t address this issue enough. God bless, and keep moving forward in your efforts.
thank you
a great reminder that fasting involves every part of our body in worship – and I agree — food! Is abstaining from electronics/etc. truly a fast, or is it a discipline in self-control?
That is an excellent question, Marcia, and a fantastic observation. I love your phrase, “fasting involves every part of our body in worship.’ That exactly right. Thank you.
Joshua, God called me to fast a few months ago. Let me just say, I wasn’t thrilled when I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit. I have struggled with fasting because of my life-long issues with food. However, this time the experience was different—much more positive. I did some preparation in my regular diet and within my heart before starting. The Lord took me on some baby steps. My fast was to eliminate processed foods and sugars, and not to eat past 6 pm.
I know the Lord is training me to fast regularly and your post will certainly serve as a great resource.
Thanks for covering this much-needed subject.
Thank you, Beckie. I really appreciate your honesty. It has been a difficult discipline for me to come to as well. I think God takes us in baby steps, knowing He has much greater things planned for us. I will be praying for you. In the meantime, know you’ve already done a great job moving toward God, and I believe He will honor that.
Great advice, Joshua. I’ve practiced fasting most of my adult life. The discipline helps in so many ways!
Thank you, Gail. God certainly works through this sacrifice.
I appreciated your thoughts on different ways (options) to fast, As a diabetic, a food fast is not advisable (coma is too bug a risk). I appreciate your ideas of other ways to fast; and agree, they all require spiritual preparation. My ideas on fasting may be different than some, but I believe the goal of finding a closer relationship with Him through spiritual discipline and enlightenment is common to us all.
Going into a coma is not good, J.D. So I’m glad you take steps to prevent that from happening. I think fasting is a personal thing with God, and He calls us to seek Him in different ways. Spiritual preparation and vulnerability are the key to drawing close to God. Thank you for your thoughts.
You’re a blessing sir. I pray you continue in your journey my friend; and I thank you for your kindness to bring us along. You help us in our own journey sir. God’s blessings.
Thanks for your insights Joshua. I too am feeling God is calling me to fast. For me it’s just a matter of following through with the commitment. I appreciate your encouragement to push forward.
I’m glad this was an encouragement to you, Loretta. I pray the Lord will strengthen you and draw you closer to Him.
Such a needed topic and there’s so little good stuff out there! My husband and I have practiced fasting since the early 90s. It deepened our relationship with God and with each other.
Thank you, Edie. I think it’s so powerful when spouses fast and seek God together. I really appreciate your encouragement. I don’t think enough people talk about the importance of fasting.
I feel like God is calling me to fast, that this post is yet another reminder to do so. I certainly want to be closer to God, and I want to seek Him especially about certain problems in the way I act. I have three issues that hold me back:
1) my children are always a distraction during fasting—it’s hard to have long, dedicated time (more than an hour)
2) I think I’m hypoglycemic—my doctor thinks I might be, too, although she hasn’t tested me. At the end of my last one-day fast, I had hot flashes, cold sweats, and I couldn’t get up off the floor in weakness.
3) I really want to lose about five pounds. When I think of fasting, I know my motivation isn’t perfectly clear—it’s hard to put the possible weight loss due to fasting out of my mind completely.
Any thoughts on how to overcome and fast with these holdups?
Heather, thank you so much for your honest response. I really appreciate your openness. Here are a few thoughts on your 3 questions:
1) This is a problem a lot of parents face when it comes to many spiritual disciplines. But be encouraged by what you can do rather than what you can’t. If you can start with that one hour to focus on God, I believe God will honor that. You don’t have to be one of the Desert Fathers or wander into the desert for 40 days to start fasting. It’s okay to start slow. Start by fasting one meal and spend that hour with God. In the future, would it be possible to have the kids stay with family, so you could have a 24 hour period to focus? Either way, start with what you can and know the Father will cherish that time with you–whatever it is.
2) I’m certainly not a doctor, so I would encourage you to talk through your options with a physician. They will know your limits, but if it’s safe, I would start by fasting one meal and see how that goes. Also, if possible, I’ve done 24 hour fasts where I stop eating after dinner at night and fast until dinner time the next day. That way you’re fasting a full 24 day, but you still eat a meal. Finally, if your doctor says it’s not safe for you to do a full fast, ask them what is the least you could eat and only eat bland things as your fast (and the minimum required by your doctor). Daniel only ate vegetables for 21 days. Again, I would talk those options over with your doctor (and be honest about why you want to fast–maybe they’ll have other ideas).
3) You’re not the first to struggle with that idea. Don’t let that stop you from fasting, though. Instead, use it as a conversation starter with God. Confess the struggle to him during the fast and ask Him to reveal why that’s become a distraction for you. The struggle may be the very thing that draws you close to God.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. I’m happy to be an encouragement in any way that I can.
These are really helpful answers—thank you! You really answered my concerns
I’m so glad it was helpful. Please let me know if I can be a help in any way.
Joshua, thank you so much for sharing your insights on fasting. I am humbled and encouraged as I start my fast today, refocused on the spiritual rather than the physical. Too often I look for answers to my questions rather than spending time in relationship with God. So today I become Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet, rather than scrambling to do more good works through fasting.
Marisa, I’m so moved by your comment and grateful God spoke to you through this post. May you have an encounter with God that is transforming as you seek Him. I just prayed for you in your time of fasting.
Thank you for sharing. Not many people participate in this spiritual discipline.
I fast regularly. Recently during a longer time of fasting, I thought I struck a deal with God. The fast was going to go over my birthday. I told God that I was going to fast, but I was going to have birthday cake on my birthday. I happened to be at a retreat center on my birthday. They always serve cake for every meal. On my birthday? No cake! I think God was telling me that I do not get to make demands. Several days later when the fast ended though I did have my cake. 🙂
I truly love that story, Traci. I think God likes to gently remind us that we’re not in control, which is what the discipline of fasting is all about. I’m grateful to hear you regularly fast. Thank you for sharing your experience, and I’m very glad you got your cake.