Is Fasting For Today?

When you think of fasting, what comes to mind?

Do you see beings with low energy dragging their feet to accomplish daily tasks? Maybe you envision furrowed brows and sharp reactions in response to low blood sugar. Or, perhaps, if you have experienced some sort of trauma where things have been taken from you, your response to fasting may be to flee as fast as possible.

What if I told you that fasting is a posture that ushers you into the presence of God, allowing you to hear Him speak, teach, and share His heart on the matters at hand?

If that’s the case, why don’t we hear people talk about fasting like they used to?

Why don’t we fast anymore?

Looking back over my life, I can confidently say that I don’t fast today as much as I used to forty years ago. I am amazed that I have forty beautiful years with Jesus, but I realize I am also getting old!

So what is it that turns most people off from fasting?

I believe the busyness of our schedules and our on-the-go lifestyles have left no margin for anything else.

On top of that, throw in the reality that this spiritual practice just isn’t taught much, leaving us with a lack of understanding, which draws uncertainty into the picture.

And lastly, fasting requires sacrifice, and we have become a people of convenience and ease in all decisions we make daily.

The History of Fasting

Throughout history, we can find circumstances where fasting was necessary and a first response. 

For example, this spiritual discipline was practiced by the early church. In fact, even our beloved Savior fasted!

This discipline wasn’t just an act they thought about or obsessed over. They did it because they knew it drew them closer to God.

But did you know it’s not just the early church engaged in fasting? Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism also practice fasting. However, the difference is that when followers of Christ fast, it is always to draw near to God.

Types of Fasting

The type and duration of our fast is a very personal and spiritual decision that should always leave us wanting to get into the presence of God.

So here are four types of fasts to consider:

Normal Fast

This fast abstains from eating all food while only drinking water. This was the fasting method Jesus engaged in when He was in the wilderness (Luke 4:2-4.)

Partial Fast

This fast restricts the diet of certain foods that may have become an idol or possibly something one relies on more than God. In Daniel 10:3, we see that Daniel took part in this kind of fast.

Absolute Fast

An absolute fast omits all food and water. While the body can go weeks without food and days without water, I don’t recommend going longer than three days.

There have been supernatural instances in the Bible where people have gone weeks without both. For example, Moses took part in this fast before he wrote the Ten Commandments in Exodus 34:28. 

This fast is for those dire emergencies when you need to get into the presence of God.

Group Fasting

In 2001, I remember God told me to call a fast among the women in my church. So I sent an email asking them to partner with me by praying at a specific location and time. Well, I thought maybe 50 women would participate, and not only did the women come, but the men did too; over 700 people showed up at FBCG, and we prayed and worshiped at five in the morning!

God was calling His children together at that moment, and within a few days, 9/11 happened. Not only were we already united, but we were prepared to repent and pray for the people of our country and the world. 

For more on spiritual fasting, check out Pastor John K. Jenkins’ sermon, “Fasting: Part 1.”

Joel 2:12, in the NIV, says, “’Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’”

I believe God is asking us to turn our hearts back to Him through spiritual discipline. 

I pray we would be Daughters that choose to seek God in an array of acts, fasting included. May we not be anxious about what we are giving up, but remember all that we are gaining. 

For more on spiritual disciplines, check out Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster.