What is fasting and why do Christians do it? Deepening Your Spiritual Life

Fasting is a spiritual discipline where Christians voluntarily abstain from food or specific comforts to focus more deeply on God. It isn’t about earning favor or dieting; it’s a tool for humbling the soul, sharpening prayer life, and seeking divine guidance. By quieting the physical body, believers create space to hear the Holy Spirit and align their hearts with God’s mission and purpose.

Biblical Foundations for Fasting

Before we dive into the "why" and "how," let’s look at what the Word of God says about this practice. Fasting is woven throughout the fabric of Scripture, from the prophets of the Old Testament to the early church in the book of Acts.

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Isaiah 58:6 (NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

Acts 13:2 (NIV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"

Joel 2:12 (NIV) "'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'"

What is Fasting?

At its simplest level, fasting is the act of going without food for a spiritual purpose. While the world often views fasting through the lens of health or weight loss, for the follower of Jesus, it is a matter of the heart. It is an intentional "no" to the physical body so that we can say a louder "yes" to the Spirit.

Fasting isn't just about what you take away; it’s about what you put in its place. If you skip a meal but don’t spend that time in prayer or reading the Bible, you’ve simply gone hungry. True biblical fasting is always coupled with seeking God. It is an invitation to experience the presence of God in a way that regular daily life sometimes distracts us from.

Why Do Christians Fast?

You might wonder, "If Jesus already paid it all, why do I need to fast?" That’s a great question. We don't fast to make God love us more, His love is already perfect. We don't fast to "move" God as if He’s a vending machine. Instead, we fast to move ourselves closer to Him.

1. Humbling the Soul

One of the primary reasons we fast is to humble ourselves. In our modern world, we are used to getting what we want, when we want it. Fasting reminds us that we are dependent on God for everything, even our next breath. It breaks the pride that says, "I can do this on my own." When we feel those hunger pangs, they serve as a physical reminder of our spiritual need for the Bread of Life.

2. Seeking Divine Guidance

When the early church needed to make big decisions, like who to send out as missionaries, they fasted and prayed. If you are at a crossroads in your life, maybe a career change, a relationship question, or a health struggle, fasting can help clear the "noise" of life so you can hear the "still, small voice" of the Holy Spirit more clearly.

3. Strengthening Prayer

There is a unique spiritual weight that comes when prayer is combined with fasting. It signals to God (and to ourselves) that we are serious about what we are asking. It’s a way of saying, "Lord, I want Your answer more than I want my dinner." If you’ve been praying for a breakthrough or for a loved one to meet Jesus, consider adding a period of fasting to your intercession.

4. Self-Control and Sanctification

Fasting is a powerful exercise in self-discipline. As we grow in our faith, we are called to live Spirit-led lives rather than being controlled by our physical impulses. By saying "no" to a basic need like food, we strengthen our "spiritual muscles" to say "no" to temptation and "yes" to the things of God. This aligns closely with the 16 Fundamental Truths regarding sanctification: the process of being set apart for God’s purposes.

Different Ways to Fast

There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach to fasting. The Bible shows us several different ways people engaged in this discipline. Depending on your health and your schedule, one of these might be a better fit for you:

• The Partial Fast: This is often called a "Daniel Fast," based on Daniel chapter 10. It involves abstaining from certain types of food (like meats, sweets, or "delicacies") while still eating simple vegetables and drinking water.

• The Normal Fast: This usually involves abstaining from all food but drinking water or clear liquids. This might last for a single meal, 24 hours, or several days.

• The Complete Fast: This is a total fast from both food and water. This is rare and usually very short (like 1 to 3 days), and it should be approached with extreme caution and prayer.

• The Soul Fast: For those who cannot fast from food due to medical reasons (like diabetes or pregnancy), a soul fast involves giving up something else that takes up your time and attention: like social media, television, or a hobby: and dedicating that time to the Lord.

Practical Tips for Your Fast

If you’re new to fasting, it’s best to start small. Don't try to go seven days without food on your first try! Here are some practical steps to help you succeed:

1. Set Your Objective: Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal? For a specific request? Write it down.

2. Prepare Spiritually: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin. Fasting is a time of cleansing, and that starts in the heart.

3. Prepare Physically: If you’re doing a longer fast, ease into it by eating smaller meals the day before. If you drink a lot of caffeine, be prepared for a headache as your body detoxes!

4. Schedule Your Time: Decide when you will pray. Use the time you would normally spend cooking or eating to dive into a Clarion Call Bible Study or listen to recent Sunday Sermons.

5. Stay Focused on Jesus: If you slip up and eat something, don't quit! Just keep going. The goal is the relationship, not a perfect record.

Fasting and the Holy Spirit

In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe in the power of the Spirit-empowered life. Fasting is a key way we surrender our will to the Holy Spirit's power. When we are empty of ourselves, we have more room to be filled with the Spirit. This isn't about being "extra holy"; it's about being "extra available" to what God wants to do in and through us.

Whether you are a shift worker in a busy city, a caregiver at home, or someone seeking God in a quiet corner of the world, fasting is a tool available to you. It levels the playing field. It doesn't require money or a special degree: only a hungry heart.

A Prayer for Your Journey

"Heavenly Father, I thank You for the invitation to draw near to You. Lord, as I consider the discipline of fasting, I ask that You would guide my heart. Help me not to do this out of obligation or for the praise of others, but out of a genuine hunger to know You more.

Lord, as I deny my physical body, fill my spirit. Give me clarity in my decisions, strength in my temptations, and a deeper love for Your Word. I pray that through this time, I would see Your hand move in my life and in the lives of those I am praying for. Let my life be a reflection of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

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