In 2 days, my church will begin a corporate “Daniel Fast”, as many churches around the country do at this time. It’s an amazing way to start out the year. It can help you focus if you’re lacking direction. It can help cleanse your body of all the nasty you consumed over Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s. You can probably come up with more practical reasons of why fasting in the beginning of the year is helpful. Really though, fasting is an important part of our lives as Christians, for some very important reasons. In this blog, although I’m definitely not saying limited too, I will be focusing on four that have really helped me put some perspective on fasting and how to keep Jesus in the center. A lot of times, especially when there is a corporate fasting going on it’s easy to get caught up in the legalistic end of it verses focusing on the importance of it.
I begin by saying this:
My greatest conviction on fasting that it can only be truly good for you if the Lord has laid it on your heart to do so. Otherwise, it isn't the right timing. Before this past January, I had not fasted since I was 16. Why? Because the Lord clearly spoke to me that while I was in school and working that I didn't have time to focus on the main component of fasting which is spending time with the Lord rather than on other things/foods. I didn't have time to really focus on being dependent on Him, it ended up being that I was starving my physical body and not filling it up spiritually. So don’t read this the wrong way, I have incredible grace for those who know in their heart it isn't the right time for a fast.
Here we go.
Some basic reasons:
-Jesus himself fasted (Matthew 4)
-There are 19 verses in the Bible that reference fasting starting from the Old Testament all the way to the New Testament (christianteens.about.com)
Some specific reasons:
1. To increase & deepen your personal prayer life & relationship with the Lord
-Matthew 6:5-8( http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/6.html )
Jesus says "when you fast". He doesn’t say "if you feel like it someday when your new x-box isn't cool anymore or you really don't like chocolate, then fast". I love that although, there are many areas of the Bible that talk about fasting, Jesus not only fasted, but he directly taught about it. Another point to grasp in Matthew 6 is that fasting is linked with prayer. And not just prayer, the most famous prayer EVER. The Lord's Prayer. I firmly believe that Jesus is purposeful in everything. There is nothing that is simply “by chance" about this placement. The word moreover is used. The definition of that word (dictionary.reference.com) is: a "sentence connector" - which means in addition to what has already been said. I love that!! So there you go, prayer and fasting connected :)
2. Giving up pleasurable things, in order to see the Lord.
-Daniel 1:8-17, 9, 10
I have been mulling over many verses in the Bible about fasting, and I think Daniel is key in the definition of what Biblical fasting is. In several accounts Daniel does an act of fasting, sometimes by clear explanation that he is fasting, and then others by the act of "giving up" things.
- In the first reference ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/daniel/1.html ) it's about giving up pleasurable things, from the king's table no less. I love that they gave up what was being freely given to them, in order to not defile themselves to please the Lord to gain knowledge and wisdom.
- Daniel 9 is another amazing reference of prayer and fasting, by name. Take the time to read this chapter. I really believe this prayer and the level of pleading mirrors how Esther and the Jewish people were probably praying, which we will get to later. Although it only talks about fasting in the beginning of the chapter, it's very important to tie in prayer with fasting; also reading a whole chapter is very enlightening. Growing up in church, I regret to say that I took a lot of scripture that I was told at face value, realizing later I wasn't even sure what it meant. Context is crucial!
-Daniel's lifestyle of fasting is mentioned again in Chapter 10:2-3. This is the place that most churches take the "Daniel Fast" being 3 weeks long from. Again, the whole chapter is worth reading, however I found the key components of this chapter are that at the end of his fast, while he was weak he saw a vision (vs. 4-7) and He was encouraged (vs. 11-12).
I feel as if the book of Daniel deserves so much study in comparison to the way we just blew through some highlighted parts related to fasting. I believe my own personal study during this time of fasting will be Daniel.
3. For change
-Esther 4:12-16 ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/esther/4.html )
I have recently been going through the Beth Moore study of Esther, which is amazing, I would recommend it to all women! Learning the strategic moves of God through this book has been such a life giving source for me. I love that even though the devil was using hatred against God's chosen people to wipe them out, God used this threat to turn the hearts of the Jewish people, who had really turned from Him to be a part of the culture in Persia, back to Himself by praying and fasting for their people, to be redeemed. Does that give you chills? That you serve a God who loves to redeem His people?? Oh my gosh, I get so excited!!
-Is there a friend? A family member? Someone who you've been asking God to rescue? Pray and fast for them. Don't limit what God can do in your life and in others. Obviously, His will triumphs over our plans, but who knows if He hasn't put you in the midst of this situation "for such a time as this" (Ester 4:14)? Maybe it's to win someone to Jesus, maybe it's just to plant seeds in their hearts, maybe it's specific words that you need to say to them, maybe it’s just for the Lord to come in an soften their hearts. You don't know, but God does.
Esther prayed and fasted to save a nation, the significance of that is still evident in our world today.
4. For the oppressed and broken; to bring glory to the Lord
-Isaiah 58 ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/58.html )
This chapter is one of my single most favorites. I literally started crying at the end because of how it resonates in my heart.
-In the beginning (vs. 1-5), I think we can tie similarities to how Jesus refers to the religious leaders in Matthew 6 about fasting and praying. And also I think to how sometimes the church can view it. We sometimes believe we serve an ATM Jesus, wanting answers right away, wondering why God doesn't notice what we have done for Him. Demanding and acting as if we are entitled from things from God is really not the best heart to have. Fasting will always go back to what is the condition of your heart? Are you truly humble before the Lord, asking Him to come and have His place in your life and lead you? This is a very good question to ask ourselves regardless of if we're fasting or not. Because if we set our hearts on what the Heart of God wants, we will receive so much more of Him.
-Then!! In verses 6-14, BAM! We get knocked out by the significance of fasting! It is for a great purpose! There's not even a need for explanation, just read this!!:
"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. "
-Isaiah 58:9-12
One other point that is helpful and important with fasting:
Having specific things your fasting about.
Last year my husband prayed and fasted for another vehicle and for God to also provide him with a new job. We were down to one car and it was difficult. During the fast, a family friend of ours gave us a truck, that is thankfully still doing well. We gave glory to God. However, God did not give him a new job, but He has given him a new attitude towards his job. I asked that God would give me a leadership opportunity to able to invest in His kingdom, and literally the Monday after we started the fast, my Mom and I spoke about me subbing in to teach for her, which led to me again teaching this year. God is good.
Sometimes He doesn't come through like we want, but He does come through. Having specifics when you fast also help you stay focused in your prayer time.
Personally, I cannot wait to start fasting this upcoming week, I know it's crazy, but I am excited about what the Lord wants to do in my life and those around me.
The fast I am participating in is essentially a vegan diet, minus sugar and I am also fasting my personal TV show time and to only listen to worship music during this time.
The essence of fasting is giving up pleasurable things, in order to strengthen our walk with the Lord. I truly believe it can be food or stuff, or both.
I hope this was thought provoking and was able to speak to your hearts!
Jesus loves when we seek His face above every other thing; the boot camp of that process is fasting!
