Becoming Like Jesus: Fasting and AbstinenceSample

Is “repent” a forbidden word?

In our example today, we are going to see an entire group of people fasting as an act of repentance. Is this something we can learn from today? Let’s dive into Scripture and see how these verses can lead us to Jesus and help us become more like Him.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, I am open to what you want to teach me today. Show me more of who you are and who I am through your Word. Jesus, thank you that I can find you on every page and in every passage of Scripture. Holy Spirit, please help me understand what I read today. I trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. Jonah 3:3-5 NLT

Consider…

When the people of Nineveh heard Jonah’s message and believed his word, they declared a national time of fasting and repentance. What is repentance? Repentance is when you change your mind about something. It’s like, you were going one way towards one thing, and you turn around and move in the other direction. It’s an intentional action to aim your life in a different direction.

Repentance starts with an internal change in direction. A change of heart about what you will pursue and give your attention to. But it doesn’t stop there. If it doesn’t actually lead to us taking different actions, then it’s not repentance. And that’s why the people fasted when they were repenting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us connect our body with our spirit, the external with the internal.

The people of Nineveh heard the message of God and responded with repentance. Internally, they changed the direction of their hearts away from sin and toward God. Externally, they fasted to demonstrate that they were willing and committed to making a change.

Practice…

So how can we practice repentance in our daily lives?

As you continue on this journey of fasting and abstinence, think about the decisions you make that don’t honor God or other people. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the parts of us that don’t yet look like Jesus. Let your cravings for the things you’re fasting and abstaining from be a reminder to redirect your heart and your actions back to God.

So, the next time you feel hungry, or you really want to do that thing you’ve committed not to doing, pray this prayer:

“Holy Spirit, I admit that I’ve messed up. I don’t want to hide it. Change me from the inside out. Help me bring my heart and my actions back to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you can continue to be alone with God. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Next, ask God to speak to you. When you get distracted, consider it an opportunity to come back to Jesus by praying this short prayer that He taught us:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

When the timer ends, thank God again for the time you got to spend with Him, then head into your day looking for opportunities to better serve Him and love others.