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I’m pretty sure this is the final post in our series Tools for a Life of Prayer! Don’t hold me to that, though; I reserve the right to occasionally add new posts whenever I see fit!
We’re in a moment right now of a lot of fasting within the Body of Christ:
Lent – The 40 days leading up to Easter, observed by many expressions of the Church for centuries, especially those in more liturgical traditions (although it’s so good and would be great for us all to do). Began February 26.
Jesus Fast – The 40 days leading up to this year’s The Send event, called by Lou Engle to pray for an increase of powerful evangelism to go forth. (See more info on Lou’s website.) Begins today, March 1.
Global Bridegroom Fast – The first Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday of every month, first called by IHOPKC in 2002 (see it on their website) and now observed by many houses of prayer, individuals, and ministries worldwide. Primarily focused on simply longing for Jesus and asking God to stir up fresh love for Him in our hearts. (I blogged about it a few years ago.) Begins tomorrow, March 2.
So whether you’re currently fasting, thinking about fasting, or have never really taken fasting seriously– read on, but know that this will only be the tip of the iceberg of what can be said about this subject.
Fasting is Normal Christianity
The Sermon on the Mount is Christianity 101, the basic standard of what life in the kingdom is supposed to look like. Right in the middle, Jesus says:
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:16-18
Note that key repeated phrase, “When you fast”. This is interesting, because He assumes that believers will fast. He’s very clear that the focus isn’t to fast for people or for religious ritual, but simply for God.
In this passage, Jesus is setting the standard of what the Jewish people already knew: fasting is supposed to be a normal part of our walk with God. It’s not for special people or super Christians; God extends the invitation and promises grace for the average, ordinary, pizza-loving believer who recognizes their need for more of Him.
Fasting isn’t about earning God’s love or even His favor or blessing. It’s an act of humility and a desperate reach for Him. It’s a child crying out in need. In fasting, we position ourselves to experience more of Him by embracing voluntary weakness.
When we fast, our flesh feels pretty weak. It’s not an especially fun or easy thing. Thoughts get fuzzier, temperaments get grouchier, and physical strength wanes. And this is supposed to be normal Christianity? It seems so ridiculous. We don’t eat and we somehow get more of God? Why on earth would God make this a way to encounter Him?
Because He loves humility. He loves it when we stop relying on our own strength and really start to lean into Him. His power is made perfect in weakness, and He chooses the weak things to shame the strong (2 Co. 12:9, 1 Co. 1:27) Fasting is partnering with His grace like we actually believe He is who He says He is and He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (He. 11:6).
Isn’t that what following Jesus is all about?
Longing for the Bridegroom
Jesus tied fasting directly to the subject of the second coming. When John’s disciples asked Him why His disciples didn’t fast, He said:
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’”
(Matthew 9:15)
In other words, fasting is about longing for the presence of God. When Jesus was literally on the earth walking alongside them, they didn’t need to long for His presence because He was right there, BUT He set the expectation that after He left, His disciples would long for Him to return, and their longing would lead them to fast.
This kind of fasting is about longing for 1) His presence by the Holy Spirit in our lives now, and 2) His ultimate return to the earth forever. It’s about recognizing our desperate need for Him. Song of Solomon describes being lovesick for His presence (SS. 2:5, 5:8). Paul describes groaning with longing for the return of Jesus and the restoration of all things (Ro. 8:22-23, 2 Co. 5:2-4). We’re not okay without His presence, and the earth is not okay without Him here forever.
Not Okay (Fasting Like a Toddler)
A few days ago, I saw a fairly dramatic demonstration of this longing for the return of a beloved! I was leading worship at The Prayer Room, playing a song based on this verse (“Things Are Not Okay” by Jon Thurlow, with a chorus from “Rend” by Misty Edwards) and our director Brad was in the room. His wife Amy rushed in and handed him their two-year-old son Ryker so she could clean some things upstairs without Ryker being in the way.
In Brad’s words: “As quickly as she came, she left me with the now emotionally distraught toddler whose only desire in life is his mother who has just abandoned him to go upstairs and clean up his messes in peace. He immediately erupts into tears and is quite inconsolable, repeating, ‘Mommy, mommy, mommy, no, no no.'”
And at that moment, the lyrics I was singing were thus:
“Things are not okay right now, and they won’t be till You come back… Just come down! Just come down! Just come down!”
Brad saw the irony before I did, and immediately started laughing almost as hard as Ryker was crying, and I had to try hard to just keep singing… I switched songs fairly quickly to maintain composure!
Afterwards, I was thinking about Ryker’s desperation for his mother’s return, how deeply he felt her absence, how discontent he was without her presence, how shattered his world was without her…
This is lovesickness.
This is mourning for the return of the bridegroom.
I’m not recommending you throw a night and day tantrum until the second coming, but I am encouraging you to channel all of the energy of a desperate toddler into your spiritual violence and longing for Jesus. We’re not okay without Him.
Crucify the Flesh
A life following Jesus is supposed to be a life of saying no to the desires of our flesh. Of course, that doesn’t mean to automatically avoid everything that makes us happy and comfortable, but it does mean to recognize when the impulses of our flesh are hindering the work of the Spirit within us.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”
(Matthew 16:24)“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh… those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:16-17, 24)
Fasting is a very tangible way to practice crucifying our flesh. Saying no to food is great practice for saying no to sin. Every time we feel the ache of hunger and the temptation to just grab a sandwich… or a huge plate of pasta… or maybe just a granola bar… we can choose to say NO. “Shut up, flesh, you’re not the boss of me!”
In that moment of “no,” we say “yes” to God and all He wants to give us. “Shut up, flesh… Jesus, You are better. All I want is You.” In that process that’s like a refiner’s fire, our flesh is weakened and our spirit is strengthened.
Fasting With Mixed Motives
Sometimes people get worried and don’t want to fast because they’re concerned that their motives are wrong. Maybe they’re coming out of an old “earning” mentality and are concerned about carrying that mindset into their fasting experience. Maybe they don’t want to do a “bandwagon” fast just because everyone else is doing it. Maybe they’re worried about a performance mindset– ie, doing it to impress others rather than to be seen by the Father.
Here’s the secret: you will ALWAYS have mixed motives! You can of course grow and ask God to sanctify and purify your heart, but until you see Him face to face your heart will NEVER be perfectly pure.
So what should you do? Do it with mixed motives! Trust the Holy Spirit to refine you as you go. God has set up these spiritual disciplines (like praying, fasting, and giving) in such a way that if you’re doing them sincerity–truly reaching for Him, even if there’s some pride and selfish ambition involved–you really will grow and encounter Him more than if you didn’t.
Trust me, even if you start to fast in pride, the more you do it, the more your pride will die. All your weaknesses will come roaring up into your face and that pride will look so silly. Hang in there. This is part of the refining process.
Fasting as a Lifestyle
I’m sorry to tell you, you might not experience a dramatic increase of God’s presence on day one. Or day ten.
I do promise that over time, as you continually reach and position yourself before God in a lifestyle of fasting (emphasis on “lifestyle”), you will find yourself encountering Him more than you used to. A good friend of mine compares it to taking your vitamins or eating healthy. You might not notice a difference right away, but in time, your body really is cleansed and strengthened.
So what does it look like to make fasting a lifestyle? I suggest participating in the monthly Global Bridegroom Fast, and/or fasting one day a week. It doesn’t even have to be a total fast; try skipping breakfast and lunch and eating a good dinner. The key is to get fasting into your normal rhythm in a way that’s stretching and also sustainable.
Finally, remember that your goal is to aim your heart at Jesus. Not eating without praying is just starving yourself. When you fast, make sure you’re also setting aside real time to pray, worship, and read the Word. I like to fast on days I know I’m already scheduled to spend a lot of time in the prayer room. Of course, you might not have that luxury, but try not to do it on your busiest day of the week.
I encourage you to step out to partner with the grace of God by leaning into fasting. Embrace the ache of longing for His presence, and ultimately, His return. Let yourself feel the depth of your need for Him.
As you reach out in desperation, mourning for the bridegroom, He will reach out in response and meet you.
Resources
For a quick practical guide to planning a fast, check out IHOPKC’s info page on fasting.
Here’s Jon Thurlow’s song based on Matthew 6:16-18:
Finally, several of my regular podcasts that I listen to have shared episodes on fasting recently. Here are the ones I’ve been listening to: