Christian Fasting:
Is It Really for You?

Have you ever wondered whether or not Christian fasting was for you? Maybe you've thought about fasting for God, but you just didn't know enough about it.

You may have wondered, "How can I know that God is really calling me to fast? Is fasting even still Biblical? And what am I supposed to be fasting for anyways?"

If you have ever wondered if God was calling you to a fast, this short Bible study on fasting will help you answer that question once and for all.

Is Christian Fasting Still Biblical?

"Then the disciples of John came to Jesus, inquiring, Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, [that is, abstain from food and drink as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?
And Jesus replied to them, Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is still with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
~Matthew 9:14-15 (AMP)

Many Believers have never experienced the wondrous power of fasting in their daily lives. One of the things standing in their way is that they question whether fasting is really something that God has called them to.

But, we see clearly here, as Jesus explains Christian fasting in the Bible, that once He ascended back to heaven, we as His followers were expected to resume honoring Him with our fast.

In fact, we read on several occasions in acts that the Believers in the early church still set aside time where they fasted and prayed.

For instance, when they needed to know God's perfect will, they combined fasting and prayer to open themselves up to hear His voice of direction:

One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: "Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do." So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off. ~ Acts 13:1-3 (The Message)

This shows us both their purposeful dependence upon God, and their desire to be in His perfect will. When we fast, we are exhibiting the same thing - A totally surrendered heart.

Why Fast?

Many Christians enter into a season of fasting for one reason and one reason only - They Want Something From God!

Maybe their church is doing a corporate fast because they need money for the new building fund.

Maybe they've lost their job, and they want Gods help finding another.

Maybe their child is acting up, and they need God to intervene.

So...they decide to go on a fast.

But. is this really what Christian fasting if all about - Trying to convince God to come to our aid? Is this kind of self-seeking fasting truly pleasing to God?

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying,
What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or,
What are we going to have to wear?
For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave
and diligently seek all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
~Matthew 6:31-33 (AMP)

As I explain in the Beyond the Veil In-Home Christian Fasting Retreat, when we choose to embark on a Christian fast, we should always keep this scripture in the front of our minds. We should stop and ask ourselves, What Am I REALLY Seeking After?

This spiritual gut check is not just for when we fast. For some of us, the only time that we seek God at all, whether it be through fasting, prayer or reading His Word, is when we need something from Him in the physical realm.

Our relationships with our Heavenly Father revolve around seeking His hand and NOT His heart.

But, I highlighted the last part of this scripture for an important reason: "and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."

When we focus our time of Christian fasting on seeking God's kingdom and deepening our relationship with Him, the result will be that our needs will be met.

Why?

Because when you turn your eyes towards the Lord, He ALWAYS turns His eyes back towards you.

So then, is it wrong to need something from God?

Of course not!

We all need God to go to work on our behalf in different areas of our lives. But, when we fast, we should always be fasting for God, and not for ourselves.

Fasting for His perfect will in all areas our lives, and realizing that His perfect will is better than our own - That is the place of total surrender that fasting ushers us into.

When we fast in faith, and not in fear, we are open to receive all of the things that God has in store for us: Both in the spiritual and in the physical realms.

Do I Need To Fast? Recognizing the Signs...

For many of us, if we don't have some pressing physical need from the Lord, we don't even think about fasting. In reality, there are many signs in our daily lives that reveal our need for a time of consecration and surrender to God.

Here are just a few signs:

Not hearing the Lord. You're having a hard time hearing and/or recognizing the still small voice of God in your life. You wonder if you are missing out on the leadings of the Holy Spirit, and sometimes question if He even speaks to you personally,

You feel somehow distant from God. It's like there is some kind of invisible wall separating you from Him. You try to reach out to Him, but don't seem to be truly connecting. Something inside of you proclaims, "This can't be it - There has to be something MORE!"

You feel God drawing you to a closer place in Him. You can hear God's voice beckoning you to go deeper, but you aren't sure how to get there or where to start.

You feel like you're in a "Spiritual rut." You've been in the same place spiritually for a while. You know in the back of your mind that you aren't spending the time with God that you need to. Your relationship with God needs a spiritual jump start!

You're always busy! In fact, sometimes you feel too busy to take out special time for God, or anything else for that matter. It's like your life is living you instead of you living it. You know you need to slow down and gain some balance, but feel like you can't afford to.

You aren't bearing spiritual fruit. You look at the list of the Fruits of the Spirit, but you don't see all of those things evident in your life. You know you need more of God's Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and/or Self-control in your life. But, no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to do it on your own.

Your thoughts betray you. Though you love the Lord, sometimes the things that you think in your own mind alarm you. You desire to truly have the renewed mind of Christ, but struggle to keep your thoughts in line with God's Word and on things "of good report."

You're missing the mark. There are strongholds or addictions in your life that stand in the way of you being the person you know God created you to be. Common Examples: Smoking - Eating (too much or too little) - Over Working - Anger - Unforgiveness - Lust - Doubt - Fear - Depression - Anxiety etc.

There are many signs that pop up in our lives, revealing our need to set aside the special time with God that Christian fasting provides.

These little signs don't mean that you are a bad Christian! They simply reveal the need that we each have for more time alone with God, and more of His Holy presence in our daily lives.

Your time of Christian fasting is your time of re-filling and re-fueling. It is you, setting yourself apart from the world, and consecrating yourself unto God for His use.

Fasting, done right, empowers you through a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, to become the person that he you to be.

Yes, there are many signs that you can look for in createdyour life that tell you that you need to fast. But, really, the most important sign is that little nudge from the Lord.

Often, we dismiss it or ignore it. We say that it's just in our heads, but it's not. It's God urging us to step out of faith, and to enter into what He has in store for us.

So, if you feel that little nudge, don't ignore it - Follow it! I promise that you won't be disappointed! And, if you feel God calling you to fast, but you just aren't sure where to start, don't feel like you have to embark on this special journey all alone. That's why I created the Beyond the Veil In-Home Christian Fasting Retreat, to be your guide to a truly intimate encounter with God. It not only explains, in detail, how to fast, but teaches you spiritual disciplines to use throughout your fast to keep your mind stayed on Christ. Invite your Lord into your home through fasting, prayer and meditating on His promises.

Christian Fasting: Is it Really for You?

Bible Study Reflection Questions

Have you ever gone on a Christian fast before? Why or why not?

In this lesson we talked about the importance of seeking God's heart, and not just His hand when we are fasting. Have you ever found yourself spending more time seeking blessings from God than seeking God Himself? Why or why not?

Why do you think so many Believers forget to seek God's kingdom first before we seek the things that we think He can give us? Do you think fasting can help us get away from this bad habit?

Take another look at the signs that you need to set aside time for seeking God through fasting. Do you see any of those signs in your life? If so, which one(s). What do plan to do about it?