The practice of fasting, for multiple reasons, was well known to people in the ancient world—from prophets and priests to princes and paupers. A discipline intentionally engaged in by millions of people throughout the centuries, it is still practiced today. The practice of refraining from eating or drastically reducing our food intake for a certain amount of time can focus our thoughts and sharpen our responses to certain situations.
When we break from our regular routines of eating at certain times of the day, we allow our bodies to assist our minds in understanding that, for a time, we are going to be denying ourselves one thing in the interest of pursuing or considering another, typically higher, question or goal.
Why do people fast? While in the modern world, fasting has become popular for weight loss and other purported health benefits, individuals and people groups in ancient times fasted to show their devotion to their deity, to demonstrate the depth of their sorrow over a sin or some situation in their lives, or to show their commitment to a certain cause—among other reasons. Author, editor, and professor Joe Carter has collected ten reasons for biblical fasting 1 :. To strengthen prayer e. To express grief e.
To seek deliverance or protection e. To express repentance and a return to God e. To humble oneself before God e.
To express concern for the work of God e. To minister to the needs of others e. To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God e. To express love and worship for God e. Christians who want to pursue a fast will benefit from studying other instances in the Bible where fasting was practiced.
To pursue this kind of topical study, a simple internet search will bring up many different resources. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved. Jesus told them to fast after He had gone to heaven. For believers, His presence is an everyday reality through the Holy Spirit.
We are created to crave more of our heavenly Father, and our souls ache for the day our Savior returns. It is a hunger that is rooted in -based on- an already present, experienced reality of Christ in history and in our hearts. Fasting is a form of worship, an acknowledgment that we need God more than food. Fasting is not the same as a diet; nor is losing weight the goal of a fast.
Gratitude for the food God provides gives worship to God! In all we do, the aim is to keep God on the throne of our hearts, the center of our lives, and the top of our minds.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Jesus did not command fasting, but it was a normal occurrence in His earthly time, and it would have made sense to His followers to take up this practice as a spiritual discipline.
Fasting is not just for food, but food is widely used in different types of fasting. Fasting from food should be progressive and can be full or partial. Sam Storms, in his Crosswalk. Prepare your body Fasting, especially for days or weeks, can have unexpected and even detrimental effects on your health. There is no scriptural warrant for harming yourself to undergo a fast. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting any fasting regimen to make sure you can fast in a healthy manner.
Fasting is an appropriate bodily reaction to the grievous state of our soul. If it is done correctly you can expect many results, including growing closer to God, feeling more solidarity with those who suffer, and increasing self-control. Grace Ruiter is digital content coordinator for the Reformed Church in America. If you'd like to connect with Grace, her email address is gruiter rca.
Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Close Search. What is fasting? Why should you fast? Fasting is biblical. We see examples of biblical fasting in the lives of figures like Moses, Jesus, and King David.
Fasting and prayer can restore or strengthen your intimacy with God. Fasting is a way to humble yourself in the sight of God Psalm ; Ezra You may find yourself relying on God more fully for strength when you fast. Fasting and prayer can help us hear God more clearly. To listen to God as you fast, consider combining a time of fasting with a practice of listening prayer.
Together, fasting and prayer can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience of God.
Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition. When you experience revival in your own life through fasting, the grace and love of God can shine through you into the lives of others. Types of fasting According to pastor and author Sam Storms, there are several different types of fasting from food or drink you can try.
Spiritual preparation for fasting and prayer In preparation for this special time with God, cru. How to fast safely Fasting can be practiced safely.
Safe fasting tips and guidelines: Fasting until a specific time of day or skipping a specific meal each day is safer and more sustainable than a complete fast. For a fast that will be longer than days, this is often a good option.
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