Fasting
What
Fasting is the discipline of turning away from an appetite in order to turn toward God for a sustained period of time. In fasting, our primary aim is simply to cultivate a deeper appetite for God and his will. For centuries, fasting from food was a way that people deepened their hunger for God.
Today, we recognize that there are multiple appetites that vie for our attention and affections. We also recognize that our bodily hunger is often matched by psychological, neurological, and emotional. In our present age, we are just as driven by our notifications and social media likes as we are our bellies. As such, we fast from a number of things – social media, technology, whiskey, coffee, lattes, snacks, etc. Still, fasting from food itself is the most straightforward way to grasp, at a bodily level, our sheer dependence on God.
Lastly, fasting is the discipline that helps us cultivate self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit, and/or the virtue of temperance.
Why
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is driven into the wilderness where he fasts for 40 days and 40 nights. By the way, unless you are also fully God and fully man, you shouldn’t attempt to fast from food and water for 40 days and 40 nights. That said, after fasting, Jesus faces a number of temptations and because of the love, endurance, and self-control developed during his fast, he resists each temptation placed before him. Jesus’ responses to each temptation reveal two crucial things. First, that dependence on God’s word, will, and ways is true sustenance for us. Second, that the self-control wrought in us by the Holy Spirit and, subsequently, the capacity to say no to ourselves, is cultivated one refused “meal” at a time.
The writer of Hebrews notes, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Because of the example of Christ before us and the Spirit of Christ within us, we are able to leverage fasting as a discipline that trains us to resist the temptations that we encounter in our lives and live from hearts that are fixed on Christ.
How
Discern | Prayerfully discern the appetite that you will relinquish.
This could be something that you realize takes up a disproportionate share of your time, attention, and focus. This could also be something that you recognize has become spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically harmful for you. This could be social media, Netflix/streaming services, technology, etc. If nothing comes to mind, this could also be as simple as a meal.
Plan | Make a plan for timing, duration, and accommodations for your fast
Discern the amount of time you will dedicate to your fast. Food fasts are significantly shorter than social media fasts; your body can’t survive without food/water for a week but your brain can function without Instagram for a month.
Consider the timing of your fast. If your work needs you on social media for a campaign, it may not be the best time to give it up. If you’re running a marathon, perhaps save the food fast for a couple weeks after.
Discern who needs to know about your fast and make the appropriate arrangements. The person who’s cooking for you and/or sharing meals with you, your colleagues, those who depend on you answering texts, electronic messaging, and phonecalls.
Delight | Discern how you will actively turn toward God with joy and delight during your fast
Fasting is only as dour as we make it. Hunger of any sort is unpleasant but the point of the fast is not the unpleasantness and discomfort but increased hunger, dependence, and delight in the one who created us for relationship with himself. In fasting, we learn to say “no” to ourselves but we’re also learning to say “yes” to God.
Make a plan for how you will turn toward God during this time. Perhaps meditating on a particular verse that you memorized for your period of fasting. Solitude. Listening to a podcast. Going for a walk, hike, or run with God when you would have been “doom scrolling.” Choose something that cultivates genuine joy and delight in God.
A few guidelines for fasting from meals…
Guideline 1 | Start Small
If you are new to fasting, start small with one meal. You can work your way up to two meals, a 12-hour fast with a late dinner, or a 2-3 day fast.
Guideline 2 | Don’t be a Hero
Dietary restrictions should be honored and accounted for as you discern the best way to fast. Drink plenty of water during your fast. Wisdom dictates that you choose a day that doesn’t involve activity akin to a Crossfit workout.
Guideline 3 | Rhythms
The early Christians engaged in a regular rhythm of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. This could look like abstaining from one meal or perhaps abstaining from meat. Rhythms of fasting should be modest and sustainable.
Resources
Paths to Prayer: Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God by Patricia D. Brown
Fasting: The Ancient Practices by Scot McKnight