What is biblical fasting?
Fasting is a spiritual practice that the wider church has participated in since the days of the Old Testament.
Fasting is about replacing something we normally have a physical appetite for with something spiritual, meaningful, and even supernatural. When we fast, we deny ourselves things we love for a connection with someone we love even more, Jesus. The giver over the gifts. Fasting is an intimate, purposeful act of discipline meant to draw us closer to God as we starve our appetite for one thing or another to grow in our desire for God to move in our lives.
Although many are familiar with prayer, fasting remains a mystery to some. It's not merely about skipping meals or giving up favourite activities. Instead, fasting is a deliberate act of surrendering our worldly desires to seek a more profound connection with the God who created you.
The Essence of Fasting
Fasting allows us to abstain from our selfish desires and immerse ourselves in the supernatural. It prepares our hearts, nurtures our relationship with God, and sharpens our prayer focus.Demonstrating Dependence
Combined with prayer, fasting is a potent method to show our reliance on God for miraculous interventions. While prayer fosters a connection to God, fasting detaches us from worldly distractions that can keep us from fully relying on him to satisfy our needs.Understanding Fasting
There's a broad spectrum when it comes to types of fasting. Before starting any dietary fast, consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to ensure one's safety. Here are some commonly practiced fasts:- Complete Fast: Consuming only liquids.
- Daniel Fast: Emphasizing fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and ample water while avoiding meat, sugar, dairy, and processed foods.
- Partial Fast: From 6:00 am-3:00 pm or from sunrise to sunset.
- Media Fast: Stepping away from all forms of media, be it television, social media, or other means.
Why Fast?
Fasting amplifies our prayers, highlighting our desire for more of God in our lives. Just as diet and exercise together yield better results than either alone, combining prayer and fasting enhances our spiritual connection. It's essential to enter fasting with a clear purpose and intention.Moreover, fasting isn't just about personal growth. It's an opportunity to pray for others – our communities, workplaces, and churches. The clarity fasting provides can amplify our faith and deepen our love for God, making us more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fasting is a profound spiritual discipline of self-denial, reflection, and reconnection. When we fast, we deny ourselves things we love for something we love even more. Sometimes, we even surrender something we know has replaced God in our lives to connect with him more.
Daily Devotionals
Scriptures On Fasting
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4 NLT
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:16-18 NLT
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
YouVersion Bible Reading Plans
We are creatures of habit, and our habits are powerful forces. Habits like fasting, confessing, praying, and studying the Word of God are not just items on a checklist. These habits have the power to change us. In this seven-day reading plan, explore the habit of fasting and celebrate the hope it can bring to our lives!
In this devotional, I will share why I chose social media as a form of fasting and four ways God revealed that it had become a distraction. As fasting from food serves to cleanse the body of its impurities, a fast from social media will help you return to the Lord, change your habits, and redirect your impulses to healthier choices.
When starting a journey, it is helpful to know where you are going. The same is true when you fast. It does not have to be an elaborate plan with every detail known. It may be as simple as a desire for a stronger walk with God. But there are times when God may be leading you to fast for a purpose. This is a five-day plan with audio.