A Hunger for God
If you’re anything like me, sometimes hearing the phrase “fasting” can feel a bit daunting. What does it even mean and how do we even do it? Well, the Bible clearly talks about fasting in the Old and New Testaments, and there are several different examples of why and how we should!
A fast is defined as “abstain(ing) from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance.” Now, that’s a very cut and dry definition that can be helpful to define exactly what it is that we’re talking about; however, I read an excerpt from a book that explained fasting in a way that I found felt beautiful and yet attainable. It said “Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God.” I love the way that this quote describes it, because at its core, fasting is a hunger to set aside the desires of our flesh so that we can focus on God, His beauty, what He’s saying, and all that He has for His kingdom on Earth. So, besides knowing that we are to give up food of some kind for an allotted amount of time, what does the Bible actually have to say about fasting? Let’s look at a few specific passages on fasting in the Bible so that we can really begin to understand what it has to say about it.
In the Old Testament, we read in Isaiah 58 where the nation of Israel is fasting and God wants to talk with them about it. In verses 3 - 9, it says, “‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
Then in the New Testament in Matthew 6, we see Jesus talking to his disciples about fasting. Verses 16 - 18 say, “”And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
So what can we learn from these two passages of scripture?
Fasting is important because it helps us live in submission to God instead of submission to our flesh. It says in Galatians 5:22-24 to crucify our flesh so that we may walk in the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But what I love about these two scriptures is that they highlight the fact that God cares much more about the posture of our hearts while fasting than exactly how long and hard we do it. God looked at the people of Israel and said, “Hey, you’re doing this fast for yourselves and not for me, and that’s going against the entire point.” Then Jesus looks at His disciples and warns them not to fall into the same trap that can so easily ensnare each of us. Fasting is a beautiful way to help keep your eyes on God, and so I encourage you that as you pray and discern how exactly the Lord is calling you to fast, remember that the Word of God calls us to keep our hearts pure and humble before Him and before each other. Let us all be hungry for more of the Lord each and every day.
PRAYER/ACTIVATION: Pray and ask the Lord what exactly He would like you to fast and for how long, then write down either in a journal or on your phone what you feel like He is saying, and then do your best to be obedient to His voice! I also encourage you to pray a prayer like this: “Lord, as I enter into this period of fasting, I pray that I would stay humble before You and attentive to what You’re saying and how You’re moving. I pray that You, O God, would help me as I set aside my flesh to pick up more of Your Spirit. May everything that I do be pleasing to Your heart. Amen”
A fast is defined as “abstain(ing) from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance.” Now, that’s a very cut and dry definition that can be helpful to define exactly what it is that we’re talking about; however, I read an excerpt from a book that explained fasting in a way that I found felt beautiful and yet attainable. It said “Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God.” I love the way that this quote describes it, because at its core, fasting is a hunger to set aside the desires of our flesh so that we can focus on God, His beauty, what He’s saying, and all that He has for His kingdom on Earth. So, besides knowing that we are to give up food of some kind for an allotted amount of time, what does the Bible actually have to say about fasting? Let’s look at a few specific passages on fasting in the Bible so that we can really begin to understand what it has to say about it.
In the Old Testament, we read in Isaiah 58 where the nation of Israel is fasting and God wants to talk with them about it. In verses 3 - 9, it says, “‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
Then in the New Testament in Matthew 6, we see Jesus talking to his disciples about fasting. Verses 16 - 18 say, “”And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
So what can we learn from these two passages of scripture?
Fasting is important because it helps us live in submission to God instead of submission to our flesh. It says in Galatians 5:22-24 to crucify our flesh so that we may walk in the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But what I love about these two scriptures is that they highlight the fact that God cares much more about the posture of our hearts while fasting than exactly how long and hard we do it. God looked at the people of Israel and said, “Hey, you’re doing this fast for yourselves and not for me, and that’s going against the entire point.” Then Jesus looks at His disciples and warns them not to fall into the same trap that can so easily ensnare each of us. Fasting is a beautiful way to help keep your eyes on God, and so I encourage you that as you pray and discern how exactly the Lord is calling you to fast, remember that the Word of God calls us to keep our hearts pure and humble before Him and before each other. Let us all be hungry for more of the Lord each and every day.
PRAYER/ACTIVATION: Pray and ask the Lord what exactly He would like you to fast and for how long, then write down either in a journal or on your phone what you feel like He is saying, and then do your best to be obedient to His voice! I also encourage you to pray a prayer like this: “Lord, as I enter into this period of fasting, I pray that I would stay humble before You and attentive to what You’re saying and how You’re moving. I pray that You, O God, would help me as I set aside my flesh to pick up more of Your Spirit. May everything that I do be pleasing to Your heart. Amen”
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