Spiritual DisciplinesSample

Fasting: I Want This, But I want You More

My relationship to fasting is... confused? I’ve had numerous encounters, and each time observed and experienced a practice of fasting that seemed a far cry from what would bring glory to God. Fasting appears all through scripture and is associated with spiritual breakthrough, healing, and deliverance. Yet my experiences were devoid of power and full of striving and religion. How could fasting possibly be something the Jesus I know would ask of me?

Then I felt God highlight a habit that wasn’t serving me–a false idol that I was retreating to for comfort and escape. His invitation to me to experience more was beautiful and enticing. One afternoon, after a hard day, my nerves on end, I felt driven to reach for my "quick fix comfort." I cried out to God. "Lord, I want this, but I want you more! Lord, I need this, but I need you more." Suddenly something dropped about the power of fasting.

Idols take many forms–food, entertainment, social media, our own ambitions. When we fast, we put them aside and acknowledge that nothing can satisfy like Jesus. When we fast, we declare that our need for Jesus surpasses all other needs. When we align our hearts in dependence on the only one who can provide, and place Jesus on the throne, miracles happen, demons flee, and we experience long-sought-for breakthrough. I always desire more of Jesus, but my frailty gets in the way of total surrender. Yet as I engage in His invitation to let go of things that feed me outside of Him, I see that this spiritual discipline is not about striving or religion, it’s about drawing nearer and declaring my love and desire to know Him more deeply.

Written by BEK ROBINSON