Why should I fast?

Luke 4:1-2, 14Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. . . . Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.

Fasting can help us develop a more immediate sense of God’s presence. Some have said that it is praying with the body. Fasting feeds the soul and is a significant means for developing our spiritual strength. Fasting is abstaining from things that are good (even necessary) in order to give greater attention to spiritual concerns. Fasting is one of the most frequently mentioned spiritual exercises in Scripture, occurring in a great variety of situations.

2 Chronicles 20:3Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.

Fasting helps us become more focused on God so we can better receive his guidance.

Joel 1:14Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there.

Fasting helps us focus corporately and individually on repentance. As we fast, we experience our dependence on food, which also helps us to better understand our dependence on God.

Ezra 8:21-23I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. . . . So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

We can fast to seek God’s protection and help.

Esther 4:16“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

We can fast to seek courage for a specific challenge ahead.

1 Chronicles 10:12All their mighty warriors brought the bodies of Saul and his sons back to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones beneath the great tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

Fasting can help us in our grieving process. It allows us to show honor to those who have died and focus on the meaning of their sacrifice.

Daniel 10:2-3When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

Fasting can be a significant means to keep us from being swallowed up by our culture. A normal fast is often disruptive to daily life, which can be a very good thing. At other times, though, we may sense the need to support our prayers or spiritual activities with fasting, yet also feel the need to sustain our health and energy. In such times, we may give up significant items in a partial fast, as Daniel gave up rich foods, meat, and wine.