Fasting: A Means of Grace
Matthew 6:16-18
In both the Old Testament and the New, to fast means to abstain from food. This is so clear that it would be useless to quote the Scriptures from David, Nehemiah, Isaiah, and the prophets and even the New Testament. All agree that to fast means not to eat for a prescribed time. Fasting is more a matter of obedience than it is the actual act of going without food. It’s an outward sign of an inward commitment to refuse to surrender to the will of the flesh and allow the rise of the desires of the Spirit of God within us. There is a constant battle between flesh and spirit. Richard Foster writes, “More than any other single discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface.” Fasting on a regular basis draws us closer to God and strengthens our faith and resolve to do God’s will. Fasting, like going to the gym, builds the muscle of your faith. Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. And yet, fasting is one of the most neglected of all spiritual disciplines. It is almost a lost practice in the church today. And yet John Wesley, who fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, called all Methodists to fast once a week because it was one of the Means of Grace.
But why fast? What is the purpose of fasting? First is to seek deliverance. King Jehoshaphat prayed and fasted for God to deliver him from opposing armies (II Chronicles 20:3-4) Esther prayed, fasted and asked others to fast on her behalf for the deliverance of her people from annialation. Saul fasted when he and his army was under attack from the Philistines asking that God would deliver the Jews in battle. (1 Samuel 28) In Acts 27, when Paul was in the midst of a storm and had no hope to survive, he and his fellow passengers fasted for 14 days.
Second is to express grief. Three of the first four references to fasting in the Bible connect it with grief. When David learns of King Saul's death: “David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted…” 2 Samuel 1:11 Ezra mourned over Israel’s unfaithfulness with fasting – Ezra 10:6
Third is repentance. When a person was convicted of their sin, they begin to fast as an act of repentance. Examples include the Israelite’s confession of the sin of idolatry at Mizpah in (I Samuel 7:6), Nineveh’s fasting for repentance (Jonah 3:5-8) and Saul’s fast after his experience on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9) Fasting as repentance was often accompanied by the wearing of sackcloth and placing of ashes on the head.
A fourth reason is to draw closer to God with prayer. Prayer in the Bible is often times accompanied by fasting to show the earnest desire for God’s answer. This is what Cornelius the Centurion did as he prayed. He fasted hoping that God would grant his prayer request which he did by sending Peter to him. Fasting doesn’t change God’s hearing as much as it changes our praying. Fasting with prayer is kind of like the difference between a lamp and a laser. The first is diffused and unfocused light while the second is focused and concentrated. It is in the times when prayer and fasting are done together that our prayers are focused and our hearts and minds are are desirous of God’s answer while our ears are attuned to hear His voice.
Fifth is to discern God’s will. Daniel fasted 21 days for God’s guidance in understanding. When Jesus fasted in the wilderness, it was so he could discern God’s will for his life and his ministry. The apostles joined in fasting and prayer when they desired the blessing of God before any great endeavor. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for God’s guidance with the appointment of elders (Acts 14:23) Fasting makes us more receptive to God’s guidance.
These are the reasons people have fasted in Scripture. By why should we fast today? John Wesley answered it this way: Because we are commanded to “Give alms, pray, fast, in such a manner, is a clear command to perform all those duties.” But there are a still further motives and encouragement to fast: Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to move more fully in your life as you are more attuned and receptive. Fasting will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you! Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience. Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others. Lastly, fasting is a Means of receiving more of God’s grace.
There are two kinds of fasts in the Bible, a partial fast and an absolute fast. A partial fast is described in the book of Daniel when he abstained from food but still drank water. Absolute fasts are no food or water. For our purposes today, we’re talking about a partial fast of food only. During a fast, drink plenty of liquids during the fast. The range of length of the fasts in the Bible are one day to 40 days. Most fasts in the Bible are one day in length. And that is what we are speaking about today, a one day fast.
So how do you go about the discipline of fasting? First, prepare. Examine your heart for any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said: “Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!” (Ps. 66:16-20) Fasting is not just spiritual. It is also physical. Resist the urge to have that "last big feast" before the fast. It’s also helpful to wean yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast.
Second, keep it a secret. Jesus repeats his warning that fasting to draw attention to yourself and receive the praise of men does nothing but make you a hypocrite. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matt 6:16-18 Fasting is not to be broadcast in order to make us look good. Jesus warns us that the applause of people is the only reward we’ll gain for it if we do.
Third, spend significant time with God. Fasting is not just denying yourself food. It is exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spiritual. There are three things we do in the midst of a fast: prayer, praise and Bible study. The more time you spend with God in these three activities, the more meaningful your fast will be. While fasting, if you focus your energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the neglect of spending special time with God, you will starve both physically and spiritually. So take the time you would normally use to prepare food, eat it and clean up after it and spend that time with God instead.
First is prayer. Long times of prayer and listening for God’s voice are essential if you are to enter into a more intimate communion with God to maintain your fast to its completion. Remember that fasting is meant to put you in a place of waiting on and listening to God. God will enable you to experience His command to "pray without ceasing" as you seek His presence. Fasting, without spending significant time with God is nothing more than dieting.
Second is praising God. While praying for your own needs and the needs of others are also important reasons to fast and pray. Don’t become so caught up in praying for yourself and others that you forget about simply praising God. True spiritual fasting focuses on God. Center your total being on Him: your attitudes, your actions, your motives, your desires, and your words. This can only take place if God and His Holy Spirit are at the center of our attention. Your motive in fasting must be to glorify God, not to have an emotional experience, and not to attain personal happiness. Third, read His Word. Meditate on Him when you awake in the night. Sing praises to Him whenever you please. Focus on your Heavenly Father and make every act one of praise and worship.
Fourth, anticipate the battle and it’s more than physical. As you enter this time of heightened spiritual devotion, be aware that Satan will do everything he can to pull you away from your prayer and Bible reading time. When you feel the enemy trying to discourage you, immediately go to God in prayer and ask Him to strengthen your resolve in the face of difficulties and temptations. The enemy makes you a target because he knows that fasting is the most powerful of all Christian disciplines and that God may have something very special to show you as you wait upon Him and seek His face. Satan does not want you to grow in your faith, and will do anything from making you hungry and grumpy to bringing up trouble in your family or at work to stop you. Make prayer you shield yourself against such attacks.
Although fasting can be an indescribable blessing, it is not always easy for everyone. Don’t be surprised if you experience mental and physical discomforts. To begin, you may experience some inner conflict when you deny yourself the pleasure of eating delicious food. Any sort of fast may sometimes leave you feeling impatient and irritable. Hunger Pangs may plague you. But when your motives are right, God will honor your seeking heart and bless your time with Him in a very special way. A renewed closeness with God and a greater sensitivity to spiritual things are usually the results of a fast. Don’t be disappointed if you do not have a "mountaintop experience.” Many people will feel a nearness to God that they have never before known, but others who have honestly sought His face report no particular outward results at all. Still for others, their fast was physically, emotionally, and spiritually grueling, but they knew they had been called by God to fast, and they completed the fast as an act of worship and God honored that commitment.
Lastly, consult your doctor before you fast. But also be aware that many doctors have not been trained in this area and so their understanding is limited. Even so, it would be wise to have a physical exam to make sure you are in good health and are not on any medication which could conflict with a fast. That being said, there are some people who should not fast:
• Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated.
• Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders.
• Those who suffer weakness or anemia.
• Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or who have heart disease.
• Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or other important organs.
• Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia.
• Women who are pregnant or nursing.
What if you can’t go without food for medical reasons? Will you miss out on this means of grace? No. Today media fasts are just as important as fasts from food. They include no TV, cable, radio, magazines, or even newspapers! The question is this: am I willing to give up any or all of that for a period of time so I can focus on God for a while?
Fasting is an intensely personal decision as are all the Means of Grace. This week I want to challenge you to pray about making fasting a regular part of your life. Fasting isn’t just a practice for the religious fanatic. It’s for those who want to get serious about Jesus. Jesus expects us to fast, and the benefits are just phenomenal. If you’re satisfied with the status quo of your spiritual life, then just go ahead and ignore everything I’ve said today. But if you’re ready to move on to another level, and you’re not fasting as a part of your walk with Christ already, then I’d say, start right away. Don’t deny yourself the blessing of focusing on God this way, okay? And watch God do his thing.
