ILL: A few months ago my son got into an extension class that was working on making a clay movie animation. This completely captured his imagination to the extent that one day he came home with his lunch uneaten. Who needs food when you’re consumed with a project you love?
Fasting is a topic that vexes many Christians. We sort of have this vague idea that it’s in the Bible. But on the other hand we’re not really sure whether it’s relevant for today. Some of the teens are doing the 40 hour famine this week or next, and we can sort of see the point to that, but does it really have any spiritual value apart from testing how cranky low blood sugar can make me?
1. SHOULD WE FAST?
We read quite a bit about fasting in the OT, but does it apply to us?
If you’ve been around at EBC a while you might have heard us talking about a key to applying the OT today. The NT handles OT teaching in one of four ways:
Some things are fulfilled in the cross and are no longer part of our practice. An example is the OT sacrifices which have been fulfilled in Jesus.
Some things are modified so that we do them differently. So, in the OT the Sabbath is Saturday, but in the NT Christians observed the ’Lord’s day’ on Sunday.
Some things intensify so that they are bigger in scope. So adultery is prohibited in the OT, but Jesus takes it further and says don’t even fantasise about it.
And then some things just continue through unchanged. So in both the OT and NT we’re commanded to honour our parents.
So then, what do you think we find about fasting in the NT? Jesus and the apostles pretty much assumed that Christians would fast and taught us how to fast. It just continues right on through to the NT.
Mark 2.18-20 we read how, ’"Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."’
So this is something that you and I can get a hold of and is still very helpful today.
2. WHY AND WHEN SHOULD WE FAST?
So then, what’s the point of fasting and suffering all that discomfort?
A. HUMILITY
In Ezra 8.21 we read how the Jews who were in exile in Babylon were preparing to return home. Ezra, who was leading them, called everyone to fast. He say, "I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey…"
So at it’s most basic level, fasting is a powerful expression of humility before God. We’re recognising that we need God even more than we need food or, in extreme cases, water. We’re so desperate for him that we’re willing to make this sacrifice.
It’s powerful because of the way God views humility. In Isa 66.2 God says, "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
This is why fasting is also linked to repentance. In 1Sam 7.6 the Israelites got a wake up call when they were defeated and Philistine temporarily captured the Ark of the Covenant. So they came together to repent and return to God, and it says, ’On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the Lord."’ In fact, while they were assembled the Philistines attacked them, but God personally intervened and the Philistines were defeated. Was it because the Israelites fasted? Only inasmuch as it was a fast of deep humility and repentance.
This idea of humility and repentance is also linked to what some old writers called the ’mortification of the flesh’. We read about this in Rom 8.12-13 and 1Cor 9.25.
In Rom 8.13 Paul is talking about the Spirit-filled life and says, "If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
And in 1Cor 9.27 Paul writes, "I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
Many people have found fasting really helpful in this process. It’s not a magic formula - it doesn’t do anything if it’s just a religious ritual. But as an expression of humility and repentance it can be very powerful in giving the Spirit room to move in our lives.
B. SPIRITUAL HUNGER
So fasting is an expression of deep humility, and it’s also an expression of spiritual hunger. When we fast, we’re saying we’re more hungry for God than we are for food.
We see some snippets of this in the NT. In Luke 2.37 we read about Anna, who was an old women by this time and had virtually lived in the temple for the 84 years after her husband died! And Luke tells us, "She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying." Wow, wouldn’t you have liked to have met that spiritual giant!? We’re not told specifically what she prayed and fasted for. Maybe it was for the Messiah to come. But certainly this was a deep expression of worship.
We also find in Acts 13.2 that the church came together to fast. Luke tells us, ’While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."’
Again we’re not specifically told why they fasted. It seems it was just part of what they did as they sought after God. These details are important to Luke and he wants us to pay attention to the fasting and worship bit. It’s the context in which God speaks.
3. WHEN SHOULD WE FAST?
Before we move on, it’s really important that we grasp this. Fasting is only valuable insofar as it’s an expression of deep humility and of hunger for God. It’s not a tool for manipulating God or trying to look spiritual - that brings God’s discipline, not his favour.
A. PETITION OR BREAKTHROUGH
But when we’re in the place of humility and seeking his face, fasting can be used to seek God for a breakthrough or to fill a need in our lives.
In Ezra 8.21-23 where the Jewish exiles humbled themselves with fasting before God, they were actually fasting and asking for God’s protection on the way back to Israel. Ezra writes, ’I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.’
What was motivating Ezra? This was about more than protection, although it was that. It was about God’s glory! Where’s our motivation when we seek God?
I’m sure you know the story of when King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Part of the discipline was that the child from that affair would die. And 2Sam 12.16 tells us, "David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent nights lying in sackcloth on the ground." And guess what? The child died. Fasting isn’t magic, God is God and does as he wills. But it’s OK to ask him when we have these deep needs or desires. The thing is to be submitted to his will and give him glory whatever happens.
B. COMMISSIONING FOR SERVICE
I want to mention one other time fasting can be valuable. In Acts 13.2-3 that we read we find that the fast ends up involving commissioning Paul and Barnabas for their mission. Luke says, "So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
In Acts 14.23 the apostles ordain some elders in one of the cities they visit and we read, "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust."
These were such important tasks that these people needed to come before God humbly and hungrily to seek his blessing and power in the tasks they had to do.
4. WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD FASTING MAKE?
So, should we fast? You betchya! What difference does it make?
Well, do you have breakthroughs you need in your life?
Maybe it’s a sin you’re struggling with - fasting in humility and repentance, asking God for his mercy to overcome - may be just what you need to do. In fact, in Mark 9.29 we read about how the disciples were having trouble driving a demon out of a boy while Jesus was up the Mount of Transfiguration. When they privately ask him why they couldn’t do it, Jesus said, "This kind can only come out by prayer," and versions say, "by prayer and fasting." Sometimes fasting can bring a breakthrough into freedom from sin.
Or maybe you have a family member or friend who’s bringing you grief or far from God. How desperate are you? Would you pray and fast for them?
Maybe you need a financial breakthrough or a breakthrough at work. How desperate are you? Would you pray and fast over it?
As a church we say we want to reach our community and see people come to faith. But it’s tough going! We want our church to grow. We need land and leaders and breakthroughs. How desperate are we? How hungry to see Jesus glorified in our community? How hungry are we for more of God’s presence in our worship? Hungry enough to pray and fast?
And not just pray and fast once… or twice… but until we see the breakthrough!
When I was considering going out to the mission field for two years I really needed direction from the Lord. I wasn’t sure which mission agency to go with or which mission field to go to. I knew God wanted me to go, I just didn’t know where. I was desperate so I spent a day in prayer and fasting. Man it was hard, and the answer didn’t come straight away, but it did come.
Over the last few years I’ve tried to take a couple of days out for prayer and fasting. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to more recently. But the first time I did, you know, it was a real battle. I can’t say I really heard God’s voice. But boy did people comment when I preached that Sunday!
Just last year I was at a prayer retreat. They encouraged everyone to fast, but a lot of people didn’t, and I really didn’t want to either. But I sensed the Lord telling me to do so and by his grace I battled through. And through that time he gave me some direction for our church.
I’m not telling you this to blow my own trumpet. I’ve probably broken more fasts than I’ve finished! It’s not easy and it’s not a magic pill. But if you haven’t tried fasting or aren’t sure what it’s all about, I want you to know that when you fast with right motives, it’s a powerful thing.
5. HOW SHOULD WE FAST?
Let me quickly finish with some do’s and don’ts, because I don’t want anyone to go away and do anything stupid on my account!
First, remember you’re under no obligation to fast - unless you really believe God is calling you to do so, then you need to obey. But it needs to come from a willing heart.
Fasting can be for just a meal and, in the Bible, up to 40 days! A bigger need probably warrants a longer or more regular the fast, but 40 days is the exception. Start small!
Don’t fast if it’s not medically safe, if you’re diabetic or pregnant or have some condition. Check with your doctor if you’re not sure. A good substitute might be a partial fast. In Daniel 10.3 we read how Daniel, ’ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips.’ Remember God sees the heart.
Drink lots of water. You don’t realise how much water you get from your food until you fast, so make sure you drink lots.
If you fast for more than a couple of days, break the fast slowly. A small serving of porridge or tinned tomatoes heated up are really good. You can get quite sick if you break a longer fast too quickly with the wrong foods. Again, get advice.
And remember to switch off the TV and spend the time actually seeking God! And make sure the rest of your life is as straight as you can make it. Fasting is of little value by itself. That doesn’t communicate a humble heart that’s hungry for God!
CONCLUSION
Friends, I believe fasting is a matter of spiritual health. I believe that our churches and communities would be better off if Christians came to God with contrite and humble hearts. I believe God wants us to fast as an expression of our love and hunger for him. Don’t you agree?
And remember what Jesus said in the beatitudes. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt 5.6).
