Fasting for God
(Originally published on 2/14/16. Revised 6/3/20)
As our church is entering into a new phase with lots of goals to accomplish for the Kingdom of God, perhaps I can convince you through Scripture that fasting is a worthwhile spiritual discipline to investigate.
Also, I’d like us as a church to engage in this practice on the first Thursday of every month.
What is a fast? It’s abstaining from food for a limited period of time to seek God. It’s a denial of self for the purposes of intense spiritual activity.
In the OT, regular fasters were Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel and Hannah. In the NT, Jesus fasted, and, of course, his Apostles and Anna.
Jesus did not say “If you fast,” but, “When you fast…” (Matthew 16:16), the implication being that this is something we should do.
Fasting is not a hunger strike, nor a manipulative device nor a form of dieting. Fasting should be about God, one that is set apart for him to honor and glorify him, designed to accomplish his will.
But why should we fast today? What spiritual benefits can we get from this ancient discipline? I want to give you 3 reasons why you may want to consider fasting as a regular part of your spiritual life:
40 Days Past My 40 Day Fast
My 40 day fast ended on Valentine’s Day. Good Friday marked 40 days after my fast.
This is what I’ve
learned since eating again, including why everyone needs to use a Squatty Potty.
(Read about my travails while fasting for 40 days by clicking here.)
After the first 10 days I gained about 10-12 pounds, not because I was over-eating, but because my body held onto every calorie. My weight now ranges between 169 and 175 pounds, depending on how much popcorn I eat at night. I love my new waist size; I haven’t been this weight since my sophomore year in high school! (I know what you’re thinking: “He’s going to gain it all back!” Stop it. Stop it now!) Read on….
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