Fasting, a discipline practiced across various religions, offers a multitude of spiritual benefits. It's more than just abstaining from food; it's an outward expression of an inward commitment to pursue a deeper connection with the divine.
As we delve into the spiritual dimensions of fasting, we uncover its transformative power to enhance our relationship with God, foster self-control, and bring clarity to our spiritual journey.
Understanding the Essence of Fasting
Fasting is not merely a physical act of abstaining from food; it is a spiritual discipline that enhances our ability to pray. In the same way that there isn’t one reason alone for us to pray, there isn’t one method of fasting.
Traditionally and most commonly, fasting is practiced by abstaining from food for a set period. Perhaps your fasting will mean abstaining from specific types of food, technology, television, or anything else that would be a genuine sacrifice to you.
Fasting as a Path to Self-Denial
Fasting is a tangible way to deny ourselves-to declare before God that we know it’s all about Him, not about us. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Read also: Interpreting Blood Dreams
Christian fasting is always combined with prayer. When you fast, you slow down to hear from God. Fasting can take various forms and last different lengths of time.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
Besides physical cleansing and restoration, what does fasting do for us spiritually? Why is it so transformative?
Here are some of the spiritual benefits of fasting:
1. Increased Gratitude and Empathy
Experiencing hunger during a fast can heighten our understanding and empathy for those who are chronically hungry. After wanting to eat for several hours, and contemplating the suffering of the poor, I can’t help but feel grateful when I experience that first drink of water and mouthful of food when the sun sets because I realize I have the bounty of having food to break my fast.
Fasting is momentary hunger, experienced with the security of knowing you will eat. Some people experience a fast that never ends, or live a life not knowing when they will eat again - they don’t have the luxury of eyeing the clock, watching the sun set, and calmly saying their prayers. I now better understand the term “food insecurity”.
Read also: Decoding Common Dreams
2. Cultivating Joy and Happiness
If I summon joy in order to follow any of Baha’u’llah’s laws, my happiness increases! Blessed is the one who through the heat generated by the Fast increaseth his love, and who, with joy and radiance, ariseth to perform worthy deeds.
3. Mastering Desires and Temperance
The practice of fasting fosters the virtue of temperance, helping us master our desires rather than being enslaved by them. We are meant to control our physical passions with the use of our reason, and fasting is a practice in exactly that. If you can master your hunger, you can master your anger, lust, pride, and so on.
4. Recognizing Dependence on God
Fasting reminds us of our human frailty, and our dependence on God and each other. Fasting teaches us to trust God at the deepest level. It forces us to depend on Him. That trust builds relationship, and relationship fosters love.
5. Creating Space for God
Fasting detaches us from worldly distractions and makes space for God. When we experience hunger, we are reminded of our spiritual hunger for Christ, the Bread of Life.
6. Receiving God's Grace
When we empty ourselves out physically, we become prepared to receive God’s grace, strength, love, and presence. Physical hunger is a physical manifestation of a spiritual hunger and longing for God.
Read also: Understanding Mercy as a Gift
7. Spiritual Clarity and Revelation
Fasting humiliates our tendency to rely on the natural world and forces us to live from the spiritual. As a result, God’s voice becomes clearer. Fasting is a great way to gain clarity for an important decision.
When I read Scripture on a fast, the Word speaks to me with so much more power, urgency and, again, clarity. It’s like a veil is lifted and I can see the mysteries of Scripture more clearly than before.
8. Unveiling Hidden Traits
When we fast, some of our nastiest character traits are brought to the surface during the difficult portions. Fleshly lusts, anger, irritability, jealousy, and fear are just some of the things that come to the forefront. These revelations are good and healthy, however, because we are forced to deal with them directly.
9. Unlocking Spiritual Power
When we stop relying on inferior sources of power, the power of God is able to more fully envelop and fill us. I find I speak with more authority and power on a fast. I find I do EVERYTHING with more spiritual power and authority.
10. Weakening the Flesh
Whatever strengthens my Spirit weakens my flesh. So if my spirit is strengthened through fasting and praying, then my carnal nature is weakened by the same. Therefore, every benefit that you can receive from a weakened flesh or from empowered prayer, you can receive from fasting.
Consider these additional benefits of fasting:
- Fasting can bring clarity to the voice of God.
- Fasting can help to properly establish a new ministry.
- Fasting can bring favor.
- Fasting can bring healing.
- Fasting can prepare you for the call of God.
- Fasting can prepare you for temptation.
- Fasting can bring about freedom.
- Fasting can bring protection.
- Fasting can increase Spiritual Authority.
- Fasting can teach you dependance on God.
Practical Tips for Fasting
Here’s what Jesus said: “When you fast, don’t make a production out of it like the hypocrites do. Shampoo and comb your hair; brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.”
- If you take medications or have health concerns, check with your doctor before you fast.
- Have a plan prior to starting your fast. When will you fast? From what will you fast? Why are you fasting? Write down your plan.
- Don’t think of fasting as a way to get extra “points” with God. You don’t have to earn His love.
- You will find yourself getting tired more quickly during a fast. Get extra sleep and rest. Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine. Don’t stop getting exercise, but listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
- Carry around gum or mints-many people have bad breath when they’re fasting.
- You will lose weight during a fast; however, this shouldn’t be your motive for fasting. The purpose is to grow spiritually during the time set aside for fasting.
- Break your fast slowly. After fasting, eat a small piece of fruit or have a glass of milk. The longer your fast, the more gradually you’ll want to work back up to your normal eating patterns.
Different Ways to Fast
There are different ways to fast. The simplest kind of fast is to give up food and drink only water for a certain period of time. Here are some other ways to fast:
- Abstain from food, but drink only water and fruit juice.
- Do a “Daniel fast,” where you abstain from meat and “pleasant foods”-dairy, desserts, soda, etc.
- Do a “John Wesley fast,” where you drink only water and abstain from food from sundown one day to sundown the next.
- Fast from desserts, junk food, or some other type of food you really enjoy.
- If you have health issues and cannot fast from any kind of food, you could choose to fast from TV or social media. The point of this kind of fast is to take all the time you’d spend doing these things and spend it instead with God.
How Long Should I Fast?
If you’ve never fasted before, you might start by giving up one meal for one day. Or you could give up one type of food or drink (Diet Coke or desserts, for example) for the entire fast. As you grow in the discipline of fasting over time, you will be able to work up to fasting for days at a time, or maybe fasting from lunch or dinner each day.
If you have fasted before, make it your goal for this church-wide fast to somehow intensify your fast, either in duration or substance. Ask God how long He wants you to fast, and what He wants you to fast from.
What Happens When I Fast?
When you fast from meals, you will find that you have extra time! Use that time for extended prayer, listening to God, reading the Bible, and resting in God’s presence.
The Holy Spirit guides us when we fast. God rewards those who seek Him. Fasting with prayer brings us the greatest reward: His presence in our lives.
Hunger pangs of fasting are a great reminder that God satisfies all our hungers. Fasting will make your “spiritual ears” more acute-you’ll be able to better hear from God. Fasting enables your spirit to be yielded to God’s will. It’s a concrete way to say, “Not my will, but yours, God!”
Fasting renews your spiritual vision and strengthens your faith. When you fast, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence. You will be spiritually, physically, and mentally refreshed!