FASTING

Is not this the FAST that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? – Isaiah 58:6

Fasting and Prayer are spiritual disciplines prompted and powered by the Spirit of God. These ‘disciplines’ require hard work and training, but are not energized or accomplished by our will power or determination. The Holy Spirit is like the Trainer or Coach who is able to transform each one of us into a champion in fasting and prayer. Fasting – the denial of food for a specific period of time –is like the inseparable ‘twin’ to Prayer. The words discipline and denial are not popular words in our over-indulgent culture. Fasting seems to be out of vogue today. In the sense that the Bible is old-fashioned, fasting is too. This discipline, however, was invaluable for helping David, Nehemiah, Paul and other visionaries draw closer to God. What then is Biblical fasting? Why is it such a vital discipline? Why should we fast? What should our attitude be when we fast?

There is nothing magical about fasting. It is not an end in itself but a means to a greater end; it complements the spiritual disciplines of studying God’s Word and Prayer. It is not just an exercise in self-denial but a re-investment of time and energy into communion with God in Prayer or Study. Fasting enriches time spent with the Lord. Also, there is a sense in which food dulls our spirits and its denial quickens our spirits. It is usual after a solid meal, for one to feel heavy or even lethargic. Coupling Prayer or Bible Study with Fasting is a way of super-charging our spirits for the presence of God. In addition, fasting dispels distractions and allows us to clearly hear God’s Voice for direction in life through His Word or Prayer. The Lord also reiterates the primacy of prayer and fasting in ministering deliverance – casting out devils (Mt.17:21; Mk.9:29).

The Bible says much about Fasting. The Jews fasted seven days at the time of King Saul’s death (1Sam.31:13). Queen Esther and all the Jews fasted as exiles in Persia (Est.4:3). Nehemiah fasted in distress about the condition of Jerusalem where the Lord’s Temple was located (Neh.1:1-4). King David fasted for the Lord to deliver the son born to the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2Sam.12:16).The king of Nineveh and his subjects fasted and humbled themselves in repentance before the Lord in response to the prophecies through Jonah (Jon.3:5). Jesus fasted for 40 days after His baptism and before He started His ministry on earth (Mt.4:2). The church at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending Barnabas and Saul on a missionary journey, and they in turn did likewise before setting up elders in each church that was started (Acts 13:3; 14:23).

Fasting is a reflection of where our hearts are. The Lord calls us to pay more attention to His acceptable form of fasting. Isaiah 58 describes the case of people living sinfully but fasting ritualistically. They were going through the motions of fasting, and all the while abusing others, yet they seemed astonished that the Lord was not responding to their pleas. Besides giving up food, God wants to give up our sinful acts as part of fasting. We must always be on guard that fasting does not become an empty ritual for mere exhibition (Mt.6:16-18). Fasting is serious business. The shipmen, soldiers, and prisoners caught in the storms with Paul fasted for fourteen days, yearning for salvation (Acts 27:33). We need not wait for emergencies and crisis to fast. Fasting is a Kingdom-first habit that guarantees victory and productivity in life.