Christian Living

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“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting.
(Mt 6:15-16)


Last week, a good friend of mine came up to me and asked “Why do you fast and pray? Does God require you to sacrifice your food in return for answering your prayers? Will He not answer it if you do not fast?” I answered him to the best of my ability, but the questions he asked really got me thinking. What is fasting? Why do Christians fast and pray?

Simply put, fasting is ‘abstaining from food’, although some may also abstain from alcohol, physical intimacy, perfume, etc. Fasting is not a new-age fad nor is it religion-specific. In fact, most of the world’s major religions advocate fasting. For example, Hinduism encourages fasting in order to create harmony between the body and the soul, as a form of self-discipline and also as a means of achieving greater health. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan to learn self-restraint, to experience the sufferings of the poor and hungry and to thank God for all food, drinks and material comfort He has provided.

It is clear that people all over the world practice fasting. But, this raises certain important questions: What does the Bible have to say about fasting? Is it relevant to the modern Christian? How does a Christian’s fast differ from that of a non-Christian?

Fasting during Old Testament Times

The Bible speaks of fasting as a non-religious form of humbling oneself before God and seeking Him genuinely. When we fast, we acknowledge our human frailty and His greatness. It was not an ascetic activity whereby one could attain spiritual enlightenment by exercising self-discipline. It was definitely not a means of finding favor with God or trying to persuade extra blessings from Him by sacrificing one’s ‘daily bread’.

According to the Law of Moses, the Jews were required to fast on only one day, which was the Day of Atonement. Apart from this day, the people could voluntarily fast on any day. The most notable of biblical fasts during Old Testament times were those of Jehoshaphat’s (2 Chr. 20:3); Jonah’s preaching at Nineveh (Jon. 3:5); Ezra’s call to fast (Ezra 8:21, 23); and Esther’s plea to fast when the destruction of her people was imminent (Esth. 4:3, 16; 9:31).

But, over a period of time, fasting became an act of showing others how pious one was. People were known to make a show of their religiosity by donning sackcloth and sprinkling their head with ashes. The Pharisees fasted twice a week and they made it known to everyone to establish their righteousness. Their motive for fasting was to make God fulfill their demands and the Messianic promises.


When and why do people fast?

On reading the Scriptures, we learn that people fasted for the following reasons:

• During times of grief or mourning. (1 Sam. 31:13)
• During times of trouble or distress when they needed God’s urgent deliverance. (2 Chron. 20:1–29; 2 Sam. 12:16–22)
• As a sincere repentance for sin. (1 Kings 21:27).
• As a powerful form of intercession for others. (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
• To gain spiritual dominion over powers of darkness. (Daniel 10:12-14)
• When there is a sacred ordination or a specific call from God. (Acts 13:3)

There are some in the Church who are of the view that fasting is not required for believers of today. They say since God has already pardoned us of our sins (once we accept Christ as our personal Savior), there is no need to keep remembering it or repenting from it! But, it is clear from the Bible, that fasting is not merely an act of confession and repentance. It is a very effective but oft-ignored spiritual discipline that has benefited many believers across the world.

Learning from Jesus

In the early 90’s the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelet became very popular in the United States. It served as a personal motto for Christians and acted as a reminder to keep Jesus as an example in daily life. It will do well for us to remember that Jesus is relevant even in this age of nanotechnology and space travel! He led a sinless life in this world 2000 years ago and His life is the standard by which we should measure ourselves.

Fasting was an important part of Jesus’ prayer life. He fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness before conquering the Devil’s attempt to tempt Him (Luke 4:1-3). In Mathew 6:1-18, Jesus teaches what it means to fast and pray. Specifically when it came to fasting, Jesus minced no words! He warned His disciples against fasting ‘obviously’, so that people will admire them. He went on to say ‘comb your hair and wash your face’ when you fast, so that no one except your Father in Heaven will know you are fasting.

Now, why on earth would Jesus ask us to comb our hair and wash our face? I believe He knew we humans have an innate desire to draw attention to ourselves, even when we are seeking to humble ourselves before God! Therefore, He says we have to pay attention to even our grooming so that no one has the slightest hint that we are fasting.

Thus, it is evident that Jesus not only encouraged His disciples to include fasting in their prayer lives but also modeled it for them in His own life.

Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline

Fasting and praying go hand-in-hand. It is a spiritual discipline, not very different from other disciplines like tithing, communion, worship and studying God’s Word. It is very important in a believer’s life and is essential for one’s spiritual growth and happiness.

Happiness? Isn’t fasting the equivalent of lamenting? Absolutely not!

 It is a wonderful way of joining hands with God in establishing His purpose for mankind.
 It is a means of getting closer to God and knowing Him as He is and not as we want Him to be!
 It is a powerful tool in spiritual warfare and, as Jesus showed, an effective way to assault the powers of darkness and derail their plans.

Fasting and praying are privileges to every believer and, when practiced, they release unimaginable blessings from above. However, our motive is of paramount importance! We shouldn’t fast to twist God’s arm into giving us something. We shouldn’t let our fast become an act of hypocrisy. When we do it for the right reasons, we will experience God as we never have before.

I pray that you savor the victory and power that this Biblical discipline brings to those who practice it.

References:

Holy Bible: New Living Translation. 1997 (Mt 6:15-16). Tyndale House: Wheaton, Ill.

Hayford, J. W. 1995. Hayford's Bible handbook. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville

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