Why Do We Fast?

DO WE FAST?

01 Introduction

02 What is a True Sacrifice?

03 Fasting Leads to Fellowship

04 Do Not Fast Unto Men

05 What to Do When Bored or Hungry

06 Fast Reflection

INTRODUCTION

Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals. God has no issue with food, and eating is not a sin.

Fasting is about offering a SACRIFICE to God. In fasting, we deny ourselves of something we consider a need and trust God to sustain us.

Let's start by getting some things straight.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1 KJV

We are called to live a life full of selfsacrifices, but all the sacrifices we make are set to one purpose: to be holy and acceptable unto God.

Fasting is one of the ways we discipline ourselves through scarifice.

If we can deny ourselves of food, we can deny ourselves of sin.

That’s the principle inside of fasting Just like many of the sacrifices we make, fasting creates a deeper dependency on God.

WHAT IS A TRUE SACRIFICE?

A sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.

The key to a meaningful fast is ensuring the sacrifice is something you value. If you choose to fast from something you don’t care about, it’s not a genuine sacrifice; it’s merely avoidance. For example, fasting from vegetables you dislike would not be a meaningful sacrifice.

Your sacrifice should truly feel like a sacrifice. Examine your daily routine. What is something you do so often in your free time that it feels almost impossible to go without? There is a good chance that the first thing that came to your mind is the very thing God wants you to fast from. For some, it could be social media, gaming, television, or something else entirely.

Reflection:

What is something you feel the Lord leading you to fast from?

Think of all the hours we spend being idle and focused on other activities rather than reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with God.

Remember the definition of sacrifice: to give up something we value for something we find more important or worthy.

If in your fast, you find yourself feeling very grievous and even resentful for giving your sacrifice, you may not value God as more important or worthy.

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” During our fast, we must be intentional to eliminate ungodly influences from us. If our true goal is to fellowship with God, then we must remember in Him there is no darkness at all nor does He fellowship with darkness. You will find great difficulty in seeking and fellowshipping with God in your fast if you are still feeding your carnal mind during the fast.

PURIFY YOURSELF

Fasting is not about depriving the body but about denying the flesh and focusing on the spiritual. It’s a time to cleanse ourselves of unrighteous influences and focus on God.

FASTING LEADS TO FELLOWSHIP

DO NOT FAST UNTO MEN

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Matthew 6:16-18

DON’T FAST TO BE NOTICED BY PEOPLE

In this passage, Jesus is teaching his followers to fast for the right reasons. Jesus warns his followers to not be like the hypocrites who disfigure their faces to appear to be fasting, to be seen by others. This is done to receive the praise and admiration of men, which is their only reward.

If you are only fasting to only appear to be spiritual to others, then you are not fasting unto God, you are fasting unto men. Jesus also told his followers it is better to fast in secret because your fast will be more sincere and not done unto men but to the glory of God. And God is a big rewarder of things done secretly for Him.

Fasting should be done to please God, not impress others. Outward displays of religion without real meaning in the heart are hypocritical and will bring only temporary rewards from men. True fasting focuses on glorifying God and building a stronger relationship with Him.

If you are only fasting because someone told you to or simply to prove a point, then you need to reconsider your motives. Seek God during your fast and focus on strengthening your connection with Him.

KEY PRINCIPLE

WHAT TO DO WHEN BORED OR HUNGRY

If you’re new to fasting, chances are you will face the challenges of boredom and hunger. These challenges are normal and part of the discipline of fasting, which gets easier over time.

When you feel hungry or bored during a fast, the key is to rely on God's word and presence rather than giving in to your physical desires. Jesus demonstrated this when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days and nights.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4 KJV

Yes, Jesus was the Son of God, but He was also in a human body that experienced hunger. The scripture shows that even when physically hungry, Jesus did not give in to the temptation to satisfy His physical needs apart from God's will. Instead, He depended on God's word to sustain Him.

It’s important to seek God’s guidance on how to spend your time. It might not always be reading the Bible—He could inspire you to write a song about His goodness, create a dance that glorifies Him, or engage in other creative acts of worship.

Fasting isn’t just about testing your endurance; it’s about establishing fellowship with God.

Trust that if God calls you to a fast, He will sustain you through it.

Talk to God and ask for strength during your fast.

PRAY

Study the word and increase your knowledge on the God you serve

READ THE BIBLE

Sing or listen to songs that glorify God.

WORSHIP TIPS FOR FASTING

Write, draw, or even dance as an act of worship.

BE CREATIVE

FAST REFLECTION 1. WHAT DID YOU FAST FROM? 2. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TO FAST FROM? 3. HOW LONG DID YOU FAST? 4. WHAT DID YOU DO INSTEAD DURING THE TIME YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT ON THIS ACTIVITY/ITEM? 5. DID THIS FAST HELP YOU GROW CLOSER TO GOD? 6. WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE DURING THE FAST, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? 7. WHAT DID YOU GAIN FROM THIS FASTING EXPERIENCE?