Essential Spiritual PracticesSample

Fasting

When we fast, we deny ourselves things we love for something we love even more—a deeper connection and relationship with God. We willingly deprive our body of nourishment and the pleasurable taste of food. The hunger or cravings we feel act as a reminder to turn to God.

In the Bible, fasting was practiced to overcome temptation, to seek God’s will, and even during times of worship. Jesus started His ministry with a 40-day fast in the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.

Fasting stirs a physical reminder in us to turn to God, which should be our primary motive for fasting—not trying to “force” God to give us something. Just like our other spiritual practices, we want to check our motives before we fast.

Jesus was very specific that fasting should be done with humility and not for public praise:

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 NIV

The “reward” that Jesus promises us might not always be the reward we’re hoping for. God doesn’t promise to give us what we want when we fast. Instead, He promises to meet us in the middle of our hunger to be our true source of nourishment and life.

Types of Fasts

• Full Fast: Drink only liquids for at least 24 hours.
• Partial Fast: Only eat during specific hours of the day and/or only eat certain foods.
• Daniel Fast: A type of partial fast. Only eat vegetables and plant-based foods for a period of time.
• Media Fast: Eliminate any choice of media influence–television, movies, Internet, gaming systems, cell phones, etc. (Some Christians call this practice “abstaining” rather than “fasting.”)

Challenge: Prayerfully consider doing a fast. If you’re unsure if a food fast is healthy for you at this time, consider talking to your doctor or trying a media fast.