More and more Protestants are discovering the benefits and power of spiritual fasting. While the practice is common among members of the Roman Catholic clergy and other ecclesiastical clerics (specifically priests, nuns, and monks), not many lay people had fasted until recently. But that is changing.
The Bible mentions fasting frequently. Fasting was common in biblical times and still is for many Jews and Christians. Two specific times of fasting are Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, for the Jews; and Lent, which is practiced for 40 days before the Easter Sunday celebration for Christians. And there are many more.
In this article, I am going to focus on Christian fasting, as that is my personal experience, while acknowledging that many of the spiritual fasts for followers of Jesus Christ have their roots in Jewish traditions (remember, Jesus was Jewish). .
First, let me define fasting. The Hebrew word for “fast” means “to cover the mouth.” The Greek word for “fast” means “to refrain from eating.” Fasting is therefore abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose (for more information on what fasting is and is not, see the links below for “The Daniel Fast is ALWAYS a Spiritual Fast”).
Additionally, there are different types of fasts, including absolute fasting (no food or drink), normal fasting (no food), and partial fasting (abstaining from some specific foods and drinks or abstaining from food and/or drinks for certain periods) . hours). You can learn more about types of fasts by reading the articles referenced at the end of this article, including “Types of Fasts.”
Perhaps one of the most powerful elements of Christian spiritual fasting is that the believer is setting aside a specific period of time to focus more on God. This is a time of “consecration to the Lord.” Consecration means “dedicated to a sacred purpose.” So when a believer decides to fast, the goal is to focus more of his attention on God for a specific purpose.
Fasting without a purpose is like embarking on a journey without a destination. There are several accounts of fasting in the Bible, and they all had a purpose. In Daniel 10, the prophet was overwhelmed by a dream. Daniel “did not eat precious food or meat or drink wine” for 21 days. After this partial fast, the angel of the Lord visited Daniel and told him of things to come.
The New Testament mentions other accounts of fasting, including one in which church leaders in Antioch sought the Lord’s guidance with prayer and fasting. Acts 13:2, 3 says: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them.’ So, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
When we fast and pray, we are “pressing toward God.” We are increasing our focus for a specific purpose. The purpose may be a particular need for guidance, healing, financial advancement, or a desire to draw closer to the Lord.
The discipline of fasting positions us. The believer is putting his body, soul and spirit on alert that he is setting aside a specific time to seek God and his wisdom. Fasting in the Lord always points us to Jesus. . . to his wishes for us. . . and the ways of him.
The Bible says in James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” When we set our hearts on wanting more of God in our lives, and position ourselves to seek him with prayer and fasting, he says that he will meet us.
This is the power and great benefit of spiritual fasting!
ARTICLES REFERRED TO IN THIS ARTICLE: The Daniel Fast is ALWAYS a Spiritual Fast and Types of Fast.
