Fasting is something that Jesus tells us we will do in Matthew 6:17, “But WHEN you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face…” Fasting is never commanded of us throughout scripture, it’s only inferred that we WILL do it. Along with praying and meditating/reflecting on scripture, fasting is one way we can remove distractions to draw closer to God. Most of the time people will fast because they want renewal in something in their life. This renewal comes in the situations we fast for if we truly seek God in it. We shift our focus from tempting food, addictive social media, sweet sugar, television, etc.. and completely focus on God.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. – Esther 4:14-17
Why fast? If you are going to fast you have to identify reasons you are fasting. Many times it will be because you want something to change in yourself. You may want the Lord to change your heart towards a certain person, or maybe you want Him to give you more of His joy. Whatever it may be, your heart needs to be willing to be in alignment with God’s. There are different kinds of fasts: there’s the full fast (which is only liquids), and the partial fast such as the Daniel fast. “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over,” Daniel 10:2-3. These fasts are the two I feel like I have had the most “experience” in. Fasting is essentially giving up something small for something greater. For example, you give up sugar for a few weeks and chose to focus on God other then the cravings. Your reward will be you feel healthier, and your reliance and trust in the Lord is strengthened along with whatever else He changes in your heart.
In fasting, one way to truly focus and realign yourself to God is add to your prayer time. Just like cookies and milk, prayer and fasting go together. Another way to completely saturate ones self into God’s purpose and will is to be in the word more often and worship Him in your fasting. Be intentional about your time with the Lord and try to listen to what He is really trying to say to you. “On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God…They cried out in loud voices to the LORD their God…’Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise,’” Nehemiah 9:1-5.
One question you can ask yourself when fasting is: How is the Holy Spirit moving in and through me? “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:2-3.
What does revival look like in your life? The Holy Spirit moves when you fast and pray. If you feel a pull to go pray for that person in the grocery store, say yes to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Be obedient to that quiet still whisper. If you are scared, ask the Holy Spirit for help, He will fill you. “In the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a time of fasting before the LORD was proclaimed for all the people in Jerusalem and those who had come from the towns of Judah,” Jeremiah 36:9. Fasting is all about realigning ourselves to the Fathers will and heart (Isaiah 58:1-14). One way we can grow and serve during a time of fasting is to step out in the community. Serving others helps us see others the way Jesus would. You can start an awakening.
Fasting is a time of learning about yourself and humbling yourself before God. It also helps us clear away distractions so we have ears that are willing to listen. “for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me,” Psalms 69:9-11. Humility is key when it comes to fasting. We are dying to our fleshly desires and admitting to God that we need Him to sustain us. Listen to what the Spirit is trying to tell you throughout the day. Receive what he says to you and seek to change.
More passages in scripture on fasting: Joel 2:12-13. Zechariah 8:18-23. Matthew 6:16-18. Luke 2:36-38. Acts 14:21-23.
