Fasting is a one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines. However, fasting is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible.

While imprisoned for his faith, Chinese Christian Brother Yun fasted for an incredible 74 days.

During that time, he prayed and asked God to strengthen him. Though he had no Bible, he meditated on the scripture he had memorized.

For much of my life, I didn’t understand biblical fasting. In fact, I rarely fasted myself.

However, when Cassidy and I began our courtship, she suggested that we fast once a week to seek the Lord’s will. We found that fasting brought us together spiritually in a powerful way.

Today, we’ll examine three reasons why you should consider fasting. We’ll also give you a few practical tips on how to start.

1. Direction from God

Many individuals in the Bible fasted to seek God’s will. Consider the following two examples.

On the way to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, Ezra’s faith was tested. He had refused the king’s offered escort, assuring the king that God would protect them.

Ezra 8:21 records, “Then I [Ezra] proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, and seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”

Likewise, as the apostles prayed and fasted, the Lord said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul [Paul], for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). 

2. Dependence on God 

Fasting and prayer communicates that we need God more than food. As John 15:5 says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” 

God can only work when we humbly acknowledge our great need for Him.

Esther

Before going before King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther commanded Mordecai, “Go and gather all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat not drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Nehemiah

Upon hearing the awful plight of his countrymen, Nehemiah responded.

“And it came to pass when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 4:4).

The Ninevites

When Jonah proclaimed “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4), the Ninvevites responded in humility, fasting, and repentance.

3. Denial of Self

Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let Him deny Himself” (Luke 9:23). 

Fasting is a spiritual, mental, and physical discipline that requires one to deny the body’s deepest craving—food. In so doing, fasting strips away the self, making room for the Savior, and strengthening the Christian to live victoriously.

However, fasting without praying is starving. Therefore, those who fast only as a physical and mental discipline miss God’s purpose.

God desires us to empty ourselves ourselves to be filled with the Spirit, following the example of Christ, who, after fasting, “returned in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14).

One note of caution: Fasting is for the Christian who desires to draw closer to Christ. Fasting does not save one’s soul; only the blood of Christ can do that.

How to Start

First, look up the words “fast” and “fasting” in a Bible concordance to see what God says about fasting.

Second, if you’re persuaded that fasting indeed is for today, consider starting by fasting one meal a week.

Moses, Elijah, and Christ

Why did Elijah and Moses appear with Christ upon the Mount of Transfiguration?

Moses represented the law, and Elijah represented the prophets, both which were fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17).

Yet these three had something else in common. They are the only ones the Bible records as having fasted for forty days. 

Moses talked with the Lord “face to face” as a man to his friend (Exodus 33:11). Elijah earnestly prayed, and the rain ceased for 3 1/2 years (James 5:17-18). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect life, fulfilling the Father’s will, and dying for the sins of world.

Truly, fasting is one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding spiritual disciplines. Though few will tap into this powerful spiritual resource, will you?

QUESTION: What’s so powerful about fasting? Why do so few Christians do it?