My first attempt was a far cry from effective Christian fasting. I decided on a whim to go 24 hours without eating. I didn’t have a plan, and I attacked some leftover barbequed ribs the moment my time was up. It was more an exercise in starvation than what some would call “holy abstinence.”
Thankfully, I tried again after I learned a little more about fasting as a Christian. I’m not saying it was perfect, but I found more benefits than that initial effort.
I’ve fasted a few times over the years, but not nearly as often as I probably should have. So, I’m not speaking as an expert. I’m a fellow traveler.
Fasting in the Bible
The Bible says a lot about fasting, mostly through laws and personal examples. For instance, the first reference to a biblical fast comes in Leviticus as God described the Day of Atonement. Along with sacrifices and scapegoats and the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies, self-denial was a big part of this annual observance (Leviticus 23:26-27). Not to mention, there are several types of Christian fasting to choose from.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people fasted for several reasons. Some needed wisdom or sought answers to important questions. Others wanted forgiveness and repented of sins. Most of us can relate to that list because we have the same issues today.
Of course, fasting also played a part in the rituals and regulations that Jesus rejected. Pharisees and other religious groups fasted, but they longed more for human praise than God’s plan. They were, Jesus explained, perfect examples of how not to practice Christian fasting! It’s easy to think of fasting as an ancient discipline reserved for biblical days. But when Jesus talked about it, He said “when you,” not “if you.” In other words, Christian fasting is a command, not a suggestion.
Tips for Starting Out
As Christ followers, we understand spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and praying. We can get behind fellowship and sharing the gospel. But fasting feels like a completely different ballgame.
Part of that is because it involves denying ourselves, and that never comes naturally. But another problem is that we just don’t know where to start. We need a spiritual GPS to point us in the right direction. With that in mind, here are six tips that can make biblical fasting more effective.
1. Make a plan. The old cliché says that failing to plan is the same as planning to fail, and that applies to fasting. First, talk with your doctor to make sure you’re healthy enough to fast. From there, spend time praying and meditating so you can determine why you need to fast. Finally, figure out what kind of fast you want to attempt and what that requires (more on that in a minute).
2. Start small. Yes, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus pulled off 40-day fasts, but God is probably not asking you to jump in with six weeks of juice and water. It’s all right to start slowly, maybe setting aside one meal each week. Over time, you can move to 24 hours or a multi-day fast. Christian fasting takes practice, and God is OK with small beginnings.
3. Find a substitute. By definition, fasting means giving something up. And, when you give something up, you need to ask: What am I putting in its place? Since Christian fasting is about drawing closer to God, the answer is to substitute activities that will help you lean into Him. For example, when I’ve fasted, I’ve used my growling stomach as a prayer reminder. When it went off, I stopped to pray. You can do the same with Bible reading or another discipline. But don’t just give up something for the sake of giving it up. Let it move you toward God.
4. Remember how not to fast. Biblical fasting isn’t really about food. It’s about God. That’s something the Pharisees never grasped. Rather than showing humility, they fasted out of pride. They wanted recognition, and Jesus said that’s all they would ever get. You want more, so stay humble. Confess the sins you know and ask God to reveal others that are hidden. Seek Him first (Matthew 6:33) and listen for His voice.
5. Expect some opposition. After Jesus fasted for 40 days, Satan showed up with some tempting suggestions (Luke 4:1-13). Of course, Jesus was ready for him. If the devil attacked Jesus, you can bet he will attack you. He will tempt you to quit. If that doesn’t work, he will distract you from what’s most important. Lean into Christ when things get tough. It might be the best thing you learn through the experience.
6. Don’t be discouraged. Like me, your early attempts at fasting might flop. That’s OK. Bill Bright, a Christian leader who founded Campus Crusade for Christ (now called CRU) and fasted regularly during his lifetime, emphasized that fasting is never a one-time spiritual cure-all. It’s a process that grows with practice. So, if you fail, learn from the experience and determine when you will try again.
The Bottom Line
Obviously, no two biblical fasts are exactly alike. Still, there are basically two kinds of fasts: food fasting and what some call “soul fasting.” With food fasting, you skip meals to focus on God. You might drink some juice or broth, and you almost always include water. But the main idea is to let your appetite for God replace your physical appetites.
Soul fasting involves things you don’t eat. It could be a favorite television program or playing games on your phone. Whatever you do, you’re shutting down the distractions, slowing the pace, and turning your attention to God.
Food fasts and soul fasts are both important. Neither is “more godly” than the other.” The key is determining what sacrifices will draw you closer to God and help you become more like Him.
After all, that’s what Christian fasting is all about.
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