When You Fast…

“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

I was reminded of visiting an old southern church as I read this week’s passage. It was one of the old-time, vocal churches that regularly shouted, “AMEN!” when they agreed with something the pastor said. At one point things got a little uncomfortable as the pastor started addressing issues that were too close to home. At that moment someone shouted, “Now you’ve gone to meddlin’ pastor, now you’ve gone to meddlin.’” Hopefully this won’t feel like meddling.
 
We need to understand what fasting is. The word is used a lot today, even in secular culture to describe giving up food for a certain amount of time. There is a whole line of thought about “intermittent fasting” for the purpose of weight loss and better health. Others use the term to express giving up anything for a period of time. “I’m fasting from electronics.” Or “I’m fasting from the internet.” Or “I’m fasting from TV.” Giving up these things for a time is good, but when we read about fasting in the Bible it is associated with food or at times food and drink.
 
Fasting is the idea of voluntarily giving up food for a certain amount of time to draw close to God and use that time for prayer. It is an act of worship and an expression of love. It also expresses the depth of desire that you have for the things you are praying about because you are willing to interrupt your life and forgo the normal benefits of food. We must be careful here that we don’t enter a time of fasting with wrong notions. We are not trying to punish ourselves or make ourselves feel bad in hopes of gaining pity from God. Neither are we using it to manipulate God into doing what we want. It is easy to think to ourselves, “God, look how much I am giving up for you, can’t you do this one thing in return for me?”
 
I often hear this when I discuss with people the question of “Lent.” Lent is not a biblical mandate nor is it discussed in the New Testament. It is a tradition that rose to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Creating special days is not inherently wrong and is allowed in the Bible. (cf. Rom 14:5-9) Personally I don’t practice the idea of Lent, nor do I encourage others to practice it, but I don’t try to convince people not to if it is something they want to do. The concept of Lent is tied to Catholic tradition consisting of alms giving, deprivation of food or other things, and penance to show his devotion to God and to prepare for Easter.
 
When you fast, you are not punishing yourself to express your regret over sin nor are you placing God in a position that he is more obligated to answer your prayers. By grace you are forgoing a meal or meals to use that time to pray to God and earnestly seek his will in your life and the situations you are praying about. As with giving and praying, Jesus assumes that his followers will at times fast.
 
I can’t tell you how often to fast. Historically some have chosen to fast on a specific day each week and others will fast when there is something particularly concerning or significant that they want to devote more time in prayer. Can you fast from things other than food? The concept presented in the Bible particularly addresses forgoing food. However, forgoing other activities or things to draw closer to God and using that time in prayer may be very beneficial even if we question if “fasting” is the best term.