Fasting: What and Why?

You only have so much space.

Fasting is not about what we’re giving up. It’s about what we’re gaining that is greater than what we could get if we didn’t give something up. It’s motivated by deep desire for God. It’s the intense pursuit of God. It’s saying - I have to have this! - It’s all about ingesting the Word of God, the presence of God, and the blessings of God.

The honest truth is that our lives are full. Our hearts are full. Our minds are full. They’re full of media, information, and the onslaught of life. Our bodies are full of satisfaction and comfort and we always get whatever we want.

The spirit of our time is instant self-gratification. Fasting may sound odd, but I bet there’s something in you that resonates deeply with this truth. You know you’re running too hard and there’s too much information coming at you.

Fasting makes some space. We turn off the TV or our phones. We eliminate some immediate gratification of food and we somehow supernaturally leave some space for Jesus.

Spiritual purposes for fasting: 

• Strengthening prayer (Ezra 8:23; Joel 2:13; Acts 13:3)

• Seeking God’s guidance (Judges 20:26; Acts 14:23)

• Expressing grief (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:11–12)

• Seeking deliverance or protection (2 Chronicles 20:3–4; Ezra 8:21–23)

• Expressing repentance and returning to God (1 Samuel 7:6; Jonah 3:5–8)

• Humbling oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27–29; Psalm 35:13)

• Expressing concern for the work of God (Nehemiah 1:3–4; Daniel 9:3)

• Ministering to the needs of others (Isaiah 58:3–7)

• Overcoming temptation and dedicating yourself to God (Matthew 4:1–11)

• Expressing love and worship to God (Luke 2:37)