“FASTING”
Drawing Closer to God through Self-Denial
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Introduction: Why Does the Church Ask Us to Fast?
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In this sacred season of Lent, the Church invites us to walk a path of interior renewal. We are invited to deepen our relationship with God through the three great spiritual pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Today, we focus on fasting, the second spiritual pillar, a practice given by God not merely as a ritual, but to transform our hearts and lives.
Fasting is more than abstaining from food; it is an act of self-denial that creates space for God’s grace to work within us.
Through fasting, we acknowledge our dependence on God, discipline our desires, and open ourselves to spiritual renewal. It is a way to imitate Christ, who fasted in the desert, and to unite our small sacrifices with His great sacrifice for us.
Fasting is often misunderstood. Many think fasting is:
• merely skipping meals,
• a health practice,
• or an outdated religious rule.
But biblical fasting is none of these alone. Fasting is a spiritual weapon. It is a discipline of freedom. It is a way of telling God: “You matter more to me than my comforts.”
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I. What Is Christian Fasting?
Christian fasting is not about punishing the body.
It is about training the heart.
In Scripture, fasting always has a purpose:
• repentance,
• humility,
• dependence on God,
• spiritual clarity.
Jesus assumes that His disciples will fast. He does not say “if you fast”; He says:
“When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16)
Fasting, therefore, is not optional for a serious Christian. It is part of discipleship.
St. Basil the Great says:
“Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise.”
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II. Biblical Foundations of Fasting:
Fasting appears throughout the Bible, underscoring its importance:
1. Old Testament:
Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28): Moses fasted for 40 days and nights while receiving the Ten Commandments, illustrating fasting as a means of preparation for divine revelation.
Joel 2:12-13: "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." Here, fasting is associated with repentance and turning back to God.
2. New Testament:
Jesus' Example (Matthew 4:1-2): Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, demonstrating fasting as a source of strength and a means of resisting temptation.
Teaching on Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) Jesus mentions fasting as a private act of devotion rather than a public display, emphasising sincerity in our spiritual practice.
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III. Insights from Saints and Theologians:
Fasting has been revered by many saints who echo its significance in our spiritual journey:
St. Augustine: "Fasting is the soul of prayer, and almsgiving is the lifeblood of fasting." Augustine highlights how fasting enhances our prayer life and connects it to acts of charity.
“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity.”
St. Teresa of Avila: "Prayer and fasting are like two wings of a bird: they help us soar closer to God." Teresa emphasises that fasting should accompany prayer to elevate our spiritual experience.
St. John Chrysostom: “Fasting is a medicine. Though it is rough and unpalatable, the medicine is necessary. Our flesh is wounded, full of ulcers, and needs treatment. Fasting is the remedy.”
St. Basil the Great: “Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes.”
Pope Francis: “Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the Good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him.”
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IV. Jesus Himself Fasted
Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights in the desert (Matthew 4:1–2).
Why did He fast?
• Not because He needed purification,
• but to teach us that spiritual victory requires self-denial.
Immediately after fasting, Jesus faced temptation—and overcame it.
Fasting prepares us for battle.
Without fasting, we are spiritually untrained.
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V. Fasting and Spiritual Power
When the disciples failed to heal a possessed boy, they asked Jesus why. His answer was direct:
“This kind can be driven out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)
Some struggles in life:
• persistent sins,
• addictions,
• deep wounds,
• stubborn temptations,
Do not yield to casual prayer alone. They require sacrifice.
St. John Chrysostom teaches:
“Fasting is the change of every part of our life, because the sacrifice of fasting is not the body, but the soul.”
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VI. True Fasting: More Than Food
The Bible warns us against empty fasting.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God says:
“Is this the fast that I choose? A day to humble oneself? …
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to share your bread with the hungry?” (Isaiah 58:5–7)
True fasting includes:
• fasting from anger,
• fasting from gossip,
• fasting from selfishness,
• fasting from harmful habits.
Fasting from food must lead to fasting from sin.
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VII. Illustrations:
Let us consider a few illustrations that reveal the power of fasting:
• The Prophet Daniel (Daniel 10:2-3): Daniel fasted for three weeks, abstaining from delicacies, meat, and wine, seeking understanding and humbling himself before God. As a result, he received a vision and clarity from the Lord.
• Mother Teresa of Kolkata: She often fasted not just from food, but from comfort, choosing a life of simplicity. Her fasting was not for show, but to be in solidarity with the poor and to depend entirely on God’s providence.
• Modern Example: Many Christians today fast not only from food, but from social media, entertainment, or habits that distract from God. One young professional shared that by fasting from his mobile phone during Lent, he found more time for prayer and meaningful conversations with family.
• The Athlete in Training
An athlete who wants to win:
• controls diet,
• follows discipline,
• accepts sacrifice.
No one says, “I want the medal, but I refuse training.”
Christian life is no different.
Fasting is spiritual training.
Without discipline, faith becomes weak.
With fasting, the soul becomes strong.
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VIII. Fasting and Freedom
We live in a culture of instant satisfaction:
• eat when hungry,
• buy when desired,
• speak without thinking.
Fasting teaches us self-mastery.
When we fast, we say:
• “I am not ruled by my appetite.”
• “I choose God over comfort.”
St. Augustine writes:
“By fasting, the body learns obedience, and the soul gains strength.”
Fasting restores freedom to a heart enslaved by excess.
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IX. Fasting in Today’s World
Today, fasting may include:
• food,
• social media,
• entertainment,
• unnecessary spending.
Modern fasting asks:
• Can I skip one comfort for God?
• Can I simplify my life to hear God more clearly?
• Can my fasting make me more compassionate?
Fasting that makes us angry is incomplete.
True fasting makes us gentler and more attentive to others.
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X. Practical Applications for Lent
1. Fasting from Food
• Observe the Church’s prescribed fasts faithfully
• Practice moderation even on non-fast days
2. Fasting from Sin
• Identify one habitual sin
• Make a concrete effort to avoid it
3. Fasting from Distractions
• Limit unnecessary screen time
• Create silence for God
4. Unite Fasting with Prayer and Charity
• Offer hunger for someone in need
• Let fasting open your heart to generosity.
• The money saved from fasting can be used to help people in need, reflecting the true spirit of Lent.
5. Set Your Intention
• Before you begin, ask yourself why you are fasting. Offer your fast as a prayer for a specific intention or for someone in need.
6. Start Small
• If you are new to fasting, begin with a simple fast—perhaps skipping one meal or giving up a favourite food or habit.
7. Combine Fasting with Prayer
• Replace the time you would spend eating or on other activities with prayer, scripture reading, or acts of kindness.
8. Be Discreet
• As Jesus taught, do not make a show of your fasting. Let it be a private offering to God.
9. Listen to Your Body: Fasting should never harm your health. If you have medical conditions, seek guidance from a doctor or spiritual director.
Fasting without prayer becomes pride.
Fasting without charity becomes empty.
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XI. How Fasting Applies to Modern Life
• In today’s fast-paced world, fasting is a powerful antidote to consumerism and self-indulgence. It helps us regain control over our appetites and refocus our lives on what truly matters.
• Fasting challenges us to ask: What are the things that occupy my heart and mind more than God? Is it food, technology, status, or comfort?
• In India, where food is central to our culture and celebrations, fasting is a reminder that our ultimate satisfaction comes from God, not from material things.
• Fasting also opens our eyes to the needs of others—when we feel hunger, we remember those who go hungry every day, and we are moved to acts of charity.
• Let us also remember that fasting is not only about abstaining but also about feasting—feasting on God’s word, on prayer, and on love for neighbour.
• Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Our fasting should lead us to greater compassion and service.
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XII. The Fruit of Fasting
When fasting is lived rightly, it produces:
• humility,
• compassion,
• clarity,
• deeper prayer.
St. Francis of Assisi lived in radical simplicity and taught:
“It is in giving that we receive.”
Fasting empties us so that God can fill us.
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XII. Conclusion: A Call to Courage
Dear brothers and sisters,
Lent calls us not to comfort, but to conversion.
Fasting is not meant to weaken us.
It is meant to free us.
Let us not be afraid of sacrifice.
Let us trust that what we give up for God, He returns a hundredfold in grace.
________________________________________XIV. Prayer
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
You sent Your Son to show us the way of self-giving love.
Give us the grace to fast with sincerity,
to discipline our desires,
to turn away from sin,
and to hunger for You above all things.
May our fasting purify our hearts,
strengthen our faith,
and prepare us for the joy of Easter.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Contact details:
Dr. ADDANKI RAJU.
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addankiraju9@gmail.com
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A Gentle Invitation to Share
If this message has brought you even a small measure of joy, light, encouragement, or spiritual nourishment, I humbly invite you to share this spiritual food with others.
Someone you know may be waiting for a word of hope.
Someone may be silently searching for meaning.
Someone may be thirsty for God.
By sharing this message, you become a simple yet powerful instrument in God’s hands. This small act of sharing becomes a beautiful act of evangelisation — a quiet mission of love you carry out in your daily life.
Let the Word that touched your heart reach another heart.
May the Lord use you to spread His light.
May His Word bear abundant fruit.
God bless you abundantly.
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