You're Going To(o) Fast!

One of the ancient practices that is often combined with prayer is that of fasting. Throughout the Bible we find people combining prayer and fasting for special seasons or needs. Jesus assumed his followers would fast when he gave instructions on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:16-18). In a culture that is accustomed to three super-sized meals a day, fasting can be a refreshing change.

It’s important to pay attention to our motives in fasting. We aren’t primarily trying to draw attention to ourselves, or to coerce God into doing something. Neither are we trying to see how much weight we can lose in a short period of time. Rather, we’re trying to refocus our hearts and lives on God, and on his purposes. Here’s how it can work:

• Fasting helps us slow down and reflect. There is more time to pray when that time is not set aside for preparing, purchasing, eating, and cleaning up.
• The physical sensation of hunger puts us in touch with our real needs, and helps us pray for the basic needs of life.
• Fasting helps remind us of how much our appetites drive or control our lives. We can pray that God would be the one in control.

If you’ve never fasted for the purpose of centering your life on God, here are a couple tips:
1. Seek a physician’s advice if you have any type of medical condition that may be affected by fasting.
2. Try a one day, or 24 hour fast. This would involve skipping two meals, and resuming eating the next day. (E.g. Eat lunch on Friday, skip dinner and breakfast, and eat lunch again on Saturday)
3. You can try drinking fresh fruit juice during this time if you want to ease into the practice of fasting.
4. When your body begins to alert you to its demands, use that as a reminder to spend a few minutes in prayer for our church, or for other prayer needs you’re aware of.

During Chapter Two we’re asking God to speak into our lives. You may just find that during a time of fasting and prayer God connects with your heart in a way you will never forget!

For more detailed information, you may want to pick up Richard Foster’s, Celebration of Discipline. It’s an excellent introduction to fasting as a spiritual practice.