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Six reasons to fast


Christ in the Wilderness. Ivan Kramskoy

1. Natural fasting: when we are emotionally so full or empty that we do not want to eat. For instance, when we are deep in grief, excited, anxious, sick, in love or simply feeling crushed and broken
People in the Bible fast because they are broken (Nehemiah 1:4; Joel 2:12), anxious (Daniel 6:18; Esther 4:3), or because they long for God, righteousness and heaven (Psalm 69:9-10).

2. By fasting from something we acknowledge that what we have is gift and not right: that the good things God gives us are to be enjoyed and received with thanksgiving, but are not to control us/become our gods (1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Timothy 4:4)

3. By fasting we empty ourselves so that we put aside some of the distractions in the world, and are more open to seek God, his guidance and his intervention (2 Samuel 12:23; Ezra 8:21-23; 2 Chronicles 20:3). Often, when we fast, we become aware of things in ourselves that we have been suppressing and of our sinfulness.

4. Fasting is about making ourselves weak so that we are forced to rely on the power of God. Fasting is a rejection of my own spiritual endeavour, understanding, love or lack of love – so that I become aware of my need for God, and of God’s power at work. We make ourselves weak so that we become aware of our dependence on God. (Matthew 4:2)

5. We fast as an act of submission. We submit our will to the will of the whole people of God (Nehemiah 9:1). The Church of England only requires fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Roman Catholic tradition encourages abstinence from certain foods on other days, and Eastern Orthodoxy has a strict fasting calendar that believers are encouraged to follow.

6. We fast now in anticipation of feasting then (Matthew 9:14-15).


Dangers of fasting

1. When we fast as a way of self-justification, to prove to myself, others or God how religious and right I am, or to make God forgive me. (Matthew 6:16; Luke 18:12)

2. When we fast to try and manipulate God (Isaiah 58:3)

3. Fasting on the day of physical battle (1 Samuel 14.24,29)

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