Why Should We Fast?
Published Feb 20, 2021
By Joyel Vandenboogart
How many of you have asked this question before?
I don’t know about you, but I know the intent of fasting is to refrain from something to grow closer to Jesus, but I don’t always feel happy when I am fasting…
Yet, this practice has been something I want to incorporate into my life because I think it is clear in Matthew 6:16. It doesn’t say “If you fast…” It says “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their selves to show others they are fasting.”
In High School I did an internship at my church and I studied the spiritual disciplines with Joel Ziener. Joel has now become our Teaching Pastor at our church and just launched a new series called Empty and Filled: Discovering the Meaning and Power of Lent; walking us through a study of lent and fasting from something for something. This is not just a Catholic or Lutheran practice, but can be a time to prepare our hearts and mind for the coming of Jesus. This 40-day time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday has a lot of parallels to Jesus’ 40 days of fasting.
At our church they are asking us to fast from a common distraction such as caffeine, sweets, social media, and then add or increase a spiritual practice like prayer, journaling, or Bible reading.
So, what do you run to for comfort? Let’s run away from the things of this world and run to Christ. You can practice physical fasting from eating or reducing our food intake for a certain amount of time to focus on and add God in. Fasting prepares you for the works God is going to do in and through you. People in the Bible fasted for multiple reasons: to prepare for ministry (Luke 4:1-14), to seek wisdom (Acts 14:23), to repent (Jonah 3:10), to worship God (Luke 2:37) and many others. Although we read in scripture often about fasting, so little take the time to do it. We actually step into this practice of emptying ourselves physically to refill spiritually. Anyone who has done a fast would agree that it isn’t always easy. Yet, sometimes the side effects or discomfort are signs for us to cling to God.
Will you choose to fast from something to make room from the distractions and increase time for Jesus? Increase your margins and fill them with Jesus. Fasting is an exercise that honors God and He promises to walk with us through this time as we anticipate the celebration of Easter! Fast for deeper intimacy with God, not praise from man.
Dear Jesus,
You are good! You are holy. You deserve to be praised. Lead us in the way of Your righteousness. Help us walk in your ways and see what you have for us. As we give up other distractions that keep us from you let us be filled with your kindness, truth, and let us make time to listen to Your voice. Help me pray to you and for your people. Thank you for your kindness and goodness. Let all of our days be an offering of praise to you.
