An Intro to Fasting

When we think of fasting, we may think of a doctor telling us to fast before bloodwork or a medical test. According to the dictionary, fasting is a limiting of food, especially when voluntary and as a religious observance.

Fasting is actually very biblical practice for Christians and one of the classic spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. These disciplines, along with fasting, include Bible intake, prayer, journaling, silence/solitude, worship, and many others.

Fasting for spiritual reasons can provide tremendous benefit and should be included as part of a Christian’s overall balanced approach to spiritual growth. In the strictest sense, fasting involves food. However, there is great freedom for a person to fast from a variety of things.

During the time of fasting, we can fast from a specific food, such as sweets, or a particular daily meal, or from watching TV, or from social media, or any number of life activities. The idea behind this discipline is to fast from that item or activity and replace that time intentionally seeking God through prayer, bible reading, journaling, personal worship, or many other ways.

Fasting helps us seek direction and guidance, overcome sin, intercede in prayer for others, draw near to the presence of God, and grow in discipline. Don Whitney wrote, “Fasting adds a unique dimension to your spiritual life and helps you grow in Christlikeness in ways that are unavailable through any other means.” (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian life, p,171)