Hey everyone! I pray that all is well and all will be well in your lives.
This week we’re continuing on with the fundamentals of a Christian life and talking about fasting.
People are so, sooo… resistant to fasting. Hearing the word, makes them cringe up and become uncomfortable with a slight bit of contempt. However, fasting is a blessed time: a time where you can present yourself to God.
People fast for many different reasons, from other religious beliefs, to health reasons, and even fasting before medical procedures. However, as Christians we fast for two reasons: to petition God or for spiritual enlightenment. Personally, I only fast for the latter and no longer fast at an individual level to ask something from God. That is 100% a personal thing, it is perfectly fine and scriptural to fast as a form of petitioning! The reason why I no longer do it is because of the relationship I want to have with God. If I ask God for something I must believe he will give it to me primarily because He is a parent and it’s His heart’s desire.
When I was a child, as most kids do, I often asked my parents for non-necessity things, namely toys. Sometimes, many times :), I had to ask multiple times. Now, if I really wanted it, I would start doing extra stuff without being told, like cleaning, taking out the trash, etc. you know the deal. And therein lies the problem with why I do not like to use fasting as a form of petitioning: those were things I should have always done without being asked. While my parents may have found it cute and yielded, how much better would it have been if I were always that way? Maybe they would have said: “he’s always good, I never have to tell him to do stuff”, “He didn’t ask me for xyz yet, but I know he wants it, so I’m going to get it now and have it ready for when he does”, “Better, let me surprise him before he asks and see his reaction”. That’s the relationship I want with God! I don’t want to do something for him to do something (in context here), I want to live in a way where he delights to do things.
When you fast for spiritual enlightenment, you are attuning with your spirit by denying the flesh its rights: the more you deny the flesh, the more spiritual you will become. And, by being/walking more in the spirit the closer (clearer) you get to God. Prayer, reading the word and all activities with God open up on a whole new level. I mean, with just that alone, why would I waste a fast on petitioning when I can go to a higher plane with God!?
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:24 (NIV)
Now, going without your food is no pleasant experience (for the flesh), but we should still fast with cheer, thanksgiving, devotion and focus.
“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.” — Matthew 6:16-19 (NIV)
As noted in the previous posts, all fundamentals must be done with a cheerful heart and without grumbling. So, when I say devotion and focus that also means don’t daydream or lust after food; it’ll be hard not to, but you can do it 🙂 Your activities while fasting should be focused on spiritual enlightenment as you are attuning with your spirit. Things such as more praying, reading the word, solitude/separation from common things. Now, you will attune whether you grumble or not, which means you are more in the habitation of God. You will be in this state/place for a much longer period of time relative to other things, so the longer you grumble the more God has to listen to it. Remember when I said last week, “When someone shows up like that, you almost want to ask them not to bother.”? Fasting may be voluntary, but grumbling for a prolonged period of time in his presence will grieve His Spirit. God is very sensitive about His Spirit, the third person of The Trinity, and you should be too! DO NOT grieve His Spirit! It is still on our list to talk about The Trinity, and when we do, we’ll talk more about grieving The Spirit.
When it comes to fasting itself, I’ll give you my personal experiences and opinions. This is in no way medical advice, so please consult a doctor or medical advice for your own life.
The very first fast I did was when I was 14. I wouldn’t say I was saved then, but I was just starting to seek God. My grandmother fasted along with me for a petition, where she told me to fast from midnight until 6pm, 18 hours. I think she went longer, but she never told me 🙂 If you have never fasted before, do something very light like a one day and as you mature advance to more. In my opinion anyone under the age of 18, pregnant, has medical issues, or huge upcoming commitments, should not fast: plan and/or wait for a more appropriate time.
Today, personally, I consider 1 to 3 days a minor fast and anything 5 to 14 days a major fast. Anything beyond 14 days is not a topic for this blog, as they need to be led/called by The Spirit. I fast at least four times a year, quarterly, where one is a major fast; I like to do that fast in alignment with Lent. If you choose to follow the quarterly approach I do as someone who has never fasted before (again, please consult a doctor or medical advice for your own life), then for your first year do a 1-day fast each quarter, for three quarters. For your fourth quarter, do 5 consecutive days of fasting from midnight until 6pm (18 hours) as a major fast. Consult medical advice/understanding before starting a major fast as they require extra preparation; you may need a laxative to evacuate your system when going over more than 5-days uninterrupted (24hrs x 5). Drink water for every type of fast! Drink a clear juice (no pulp and not a smoothie) for major fasts.
Last, while it may be hard (it’s still hard for me too), try to enjoy the time with cheer and thanksgiving as you consecrate yourself to God.
May God bless and keep all who read this.
May God bless and keep all brothers and sisters, new and old, in the faith in his name.
With his love and mine,
Chrom