Why Fasting?

Fasting.

Something Super Christians do.

For the extra-spiritual believers.

Kinda scary to think about, because I personally, love food.

This idea that fasting is for the preachers and evangelists and super-experienced Christians is completely false! Fasting is a way to glorify God and focus us on the only thing we need in this world: Jesus’ saving love!

When I say fasting, I mean giving up eating. The main way of fasting in the bible is skipping meals, but there are other modern ways to fast! Some people take a break from social media, or their phones altogether! Taking a break from both of these superficial outlets are honorable, because they give way to more time to read scripture and pray!

I have been wanting to do a blog post on this for a while, and I knew it was the perfect time to write this as my church organized a fast last week! Today I will be referencing to two passages in the Bible that discusses honorable vs. dishonorable fasting.

Our days revolve around work and meals. A typical person eats 3 meals per day. One in the morning, one in the middle of the day, and one in the evening. We set aside time in the day to eat. The purpose of eating is to give ourselves energy and feel sustained. It’s hard to be accomplished when we lack the factors that keep us alive! Sometimes, food can even become an idol in our lives without us knowing it. Especially in American culture, we have our 2-3 daily meals and also snack and indulge in super unhealthy foods. We don’t take care of the bodies God gave us! So as much as eating is glorifying ourselves, fasting when done right, is God-honoring.

The physical desire to eat and be full is a fleshly desire. Our bodies are sinful and wants to turn to things that make us feel whole. Instead of turning to God, we turn to things like drugs, alcohol, relationships, and even something as mundane as food. Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was good to eat and fill her, and neglected the restraint God gives.

While eating is not a sin, it is a self-glorifying action. Fasting is meant to take time to focus on God and His word. Eliminating the time it takes to eat starves our fleshly desires and gives us opportunity to focus on what God wants for us. Fasting can feel miserable because you are interrupting your routine, but that is what is attractive to God! Through fasting we can have faith that God will sustain us through His word.

Isaiah 58 in my Bible has the heading, “Fasting that Pleases God”. This chapter is so powerful, here are all 14 verses:

“Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek Me daily,
And delight to know My ways,
As a nation that did righteousness,
And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.
They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;
They take delight in approaching God.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

I came across this passage the night that my pastor announced to our church the fast that we could take part in. Throughout this pandemic, and the process of the economy opening back up, our congregation decided to surrender our own thoughts and feelings, and submit ourselves to God. The 24 hour fast that I took part in was meant to ask God for wisdom and clarity in when our church building should reopen. Last summer, I would fast one meal for a couple of days to help me keep my eyes on my true mission, but I had never done 24 hours before. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I was scared! My family all decided to do it together, and it was an amazing experience. 

I solely fasted from food. I did have a cup of coffee that morning and a glass or two of sweet tea during the day, and I really wish I hadn’t. I felt like I had given in to something that allowed me to be distracted from my intentions. Next time, I know I will stick to water, fruit juices, and sparkling water. It sounds strange, but making it hard for yourself makes it easier to rely on the Lord.

Throughout my 24 hour fast I continually meditated on Isaiah 58:11. Usually when I fast I write down a theme verse to keep on my mind when I’m hungry or tired. I would pray like this:

“God, I know that I have a fleshly desire to feel myself now, but Your Word will satisfy my soul now. I’m relying on You to keep me productive today. The Bible says that if I continually seek You, that I will be like a well-watered garden, whose waters do not fail. You always provide, and I delight in You. Please guide my church’s administration and lead them to what You want. Let us forget our agendas and wants, and solely focus on Your will and way.”

Seeking God in His word in a time of fasting is so refreshing. I was more faithful in my praying and worshiping. You never realize how much time eating takes, until you don’t eat. That tie that’s usually set aside to fill myself was transformed to God filling me. His Word filled my stomach, and I got to focus on Him.

Another principle when you’re fasting is to not make it a public affair. Matthew 6:16-18 addresses this:

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

When fasting, you don’t tell everyone, or make it obvious that you’re fasting, lest it be all for attention. Fasting is worshiping God, and we should have pure motives. When you get hungry during a fasting period, meditate and rely on prayer and scripture to carry you through. You should not thrive off the praise you get from other people.

Lastly, I know it seems scary, and that the connotations mentioned before about this practice is intimidating, but fasting is a good way to surrender your will and focus on God. This is a good way to grow your faith and get to know God deeper!

Let me know if you have a unique fasting story, or what God has done in your life through fasting! Make sure to check out some of my other content about bible journaling, biblical poems and in-depth studies and passages. You can reach me by email or from any of my social media accounts linked on the side. If you want to hear a blog post about my faith or about my life in general, be sure to reach out! Thanks for reading this, and I really hope you are encouraged in your walk with Christ!

Terin E. Waller

🙂