The Purpose of Fasting

“Fasting” is a word that’s gained more attention in the last few years as it’s being used in a broader sense than in the past. As research continues to show health benefits to fasting, including weight loss and disease management, there’s been more and more talk. I bet you’ve heard someone talk about “intermittent fasting” at some point. Today we’re going to talk about the purpose of biblical fasting. Biblical fasting is abstaining from something (usually food) for spiritual purposes. All through the Bible and throughout time, people have fasted, including Jesus, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, St. Augustine, and Martin Luther, to name a few. If you didn’t grow up in church, or weren’t taught about it, the discipline of fasting might seem old-fashioned or unnecessary, or even downright weird to you. Chances are, you’ll have more questions when you’re done reading this, so I’ve included a link at the end where you can find more information about all the aspects of fasting.

“In the midst of living in a broken world, I desperately need to see the face and hear the voice of my heavenly Father. I give up physical food, so I can receive spiritual nourishment.”

Anne Marie Winz

• To repent and return to right relationship with the Father. “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” Joel 2.12 NIV.
• To humble yourself. “And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled.” Ezra 8.21 NLT. 
• To make more time and space for your relationship with God. “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4.4 NIV
• To prepare yourself to do God’s will. “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4.16 NIV
• To acknowledge your dependence and to gain spiritual strength by recognizing your own human weakness. Jesus did this before He began His public ministry. “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”  Luke 4:1-2 NIV.

“Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God. Christian fasting is not only the spontaneous effect of superior satisfaction in God, it is also a chosen weapon against every force in the world that would take that satisfaction away.”

John Piper

Perhaps after reading these purposes for fasting, you recognize in yourself a need or desire to fast. Head on over to the link below to get more great information about how to get started and things to beware of when fasting. God bless!

Cru.org (Campus Crusade For Christ) has many great resources to help you in all aspects of your Christian walk. This link is for more information about fasting, including a starter kit, a personal guide, practical tips, and devotional material. 

https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/fasting.html