Reclaimed DisciplinesSample

Prayer: Father, You are our ultimate satisfaction. I confess that I often lose sight of that and look to other things to sustain me. I pray that You would help me become increasingly dependent on You and You alone each day. Amen.

The Holiness of Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual discipline we see quite a bit throughout the Bible, but one we also tend to forget. Maybe you’ve tried fasting and it was uncomfortable, or maybe you’re scared to try it because it sounds daunting to go without food. Maybe you just don’t think it’s for you. Whatever the reason, fasting often becomes a spiritual discipline we put aside and reject to practice. As humans, our natural inclination is toward sin - this includes our thought processes and the way we see the world. Notice how the few excuses I pointed out for not fasting all point back to self. Spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, call for a posture of humility before the Lord. It is in this posture that we are able to give Him our true worship. 

This is the call we see Jesus give at the Sermon on the Mount. He calls the people to humility, that they would not be seen by others but that their worship would be unto the Lord. Fasting takes us outside of our comfort zones, and it puts us in a place where we are able to refocus our attention and adoration. It allows us to grow ultimately more dependent on the Lord as we begin to see Him as our only source of satisfaction and hope.

Look in the Word

1. Look at Psalm 51:16-17. What does David mean when he says God will not delight in sacrifice? What does this look like in your life? 
2. Why does Jesus ask the people to fast in secret?

What’s Next?

1. If you’ve never fasted before, it can be overwhelming! Start small. Try this week skipping a single meal or cup of coffee, using that time to instead refocus your attention and affection on Him.
2. Spend time in prayer each day asking God to show you more of His character.