Fasting

Fasting is one of the most ancient of the spiritual disciplines.  It is the third most common discipline of the faith, besides prayer and Bible study.

First, let us discuss come misconceptions about fasting. 

Fasting is not a kind of "super prayer."  God is not influenced by a hunger strike.   

Fasting does not make us some kind of super saint.  Going without food does not necessarily make us better--only hungrier.

The real reasons we fast is much simpler

We fast because we are addicted to indulgence.   2: Peter 2:19b  says “For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.”  Food and other appetites can easily become our master.

 We depend upon physical necessities to get us through the day.  Yet as spiritual people, God is more important to us than physical necessities.  We can only know how important God is when we voluntarily go without other necessities.  Our appetites are a louder voice in our hearts than our Lord.  Fasting helps us to put our physical cravings in their proper perspective. 

We fast to give to others.

In Isaiah 58,  the prophet writes. 

 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Isa 58:6-7

Fasting is a way of freeing up resources for giving to others. 

God, help me to master myself, so that I can present my whole life to You, neat and well-ordered, and live daily for Your glory, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Fasting says "no" to our appetites.  Like Sabbath keeping and tithing, the real power of it is to teach us what we do not need.  It is our way of saying to our bodies that they are not in charge.  Regular fasting establishes the regular rhythms