I recently joined a Facebook event, committing to fast/pray for my friend Heather, who is in her 10th month of a severe lupus flare. Before I joined, I had some qualms about it, and I really had to think through this before I committed. Here are my thoughts.
First, what is fasting? I believe the term originally applied to going without all food and water for a period of time, in order to make mental and physical space to pray fervently. Spiritually, it shows God your emotional depth; how serious you are as you cry out to him, as if you are too busy praying to eat or drink.
Second, what is fasting not? It is not a way to manipulate God into doing something you want. It's not a hunger strike. If we believe God is sovereign, then we believe he can answer our prayers with "No" and still be all-good. Fasting is not a way to show God or others how spiritual we are. Fasting is not a way to lose weight; it is not even physically healthy.
Third, are there other ways to fast? Lately the term "fast" seems to mimic the modern Lent philosophy - find something to "give up" and call it a fast. Even if that doesn't hold to the original meaning of the word, I believe if our hearts are right, God recognizes our efforts. The point is to pray. And whatever normally gets in the way of praying, cut that out.
If you need to cut out TV, computer games, or engage in a period of solitude or silence, then do that. It's between you and God; it's not a societal expectation you have to meet. Let no one say you're not really fasting: God knows your heart, and it's ALL about the heart, not the outward actions. The outward actions are merely a sign.
Fourth, I believe fasting has an ulterior purpose: to draw us closer to God. Think about it. God chose Heather to suffer. We hate that she has to suffer, so we join in fasting and prayer to ask God for her relief. But if he doesn't grant it, what do we conclude? That the fasting and prayer was purposeless? Absolutely not. There is a bigger purpose here: Heather is not the only woman who is very ill; there are many, many others who need our prayer. And when we pray, we do not only beg for change. We bring ourselves nearer to God. As we pray we understand our friend's suffering better. We are convicted of our own sin. We are challenged to serve. Fasting and praying is a way to change ourselves.
And that is why I am going on a gluten-free, sugar-free diet from May 1-3 in Heather's honor, and doing some serious praying and soul-searching, which always go hand in hand. Have you ever tried to pray for someone else with sin on your conscience? So difficult.
First, what is fasting? I believe the term originally applied to going without all food and water for a period of time, in order to make mental and physical space to pray fervently. Spiritually, it shows God your emotional depth; how serious you are as you cry out to him, as if you are too busy praying to eat or drink.
Second, what is fasting not? It is not a way to manipulate God into doing something you want. It's not a hunger strike. If we believe God is sovereign, then we believe he can answer our prayers with "No" and still be all-good. Fasting is not a way to show God or others how spiritual we are. Fasting is not a way to lose weight; it is not even physically healthy.
Third, are there other ways to fast? Lately the term "fast" seems to mimic the modern Lent philosophy - find something to "give up" and call it a fast. Even if that doesn't hold to the original meaning of the word, I believe if our hearts are right, God recognizes our efforts. The point is to pray. And whatever normally gets in the way of praying, cut that out.
If you need to cut out TV, computer games, or engage in a period of solitude or silence, then do that. It's between you and God; it's not a societal expectation you have to meet. Let no one say you're not really fasting: God knows your heart, and it's ALL about the heart, not the outward actions. The outward actions are merely a sign.
Fourth, I believe fasting has an ulterior purpose: to draw us closer to God. Think about it. God chose Heather to suffer. We hate that she has to suffer, so we join in fasting and prayer to ask God for her relief. But if he doesn't grant it, what do we conclude? That the fasting and prayer was purposeless? Absolutely not. There is a bigger purpose here: Heather is not the only woman who is very ill; there are many, many others who need our prayer. And when we pray, we do not only beg for change. We bring ourselves nearer to God. As we pray we understand our friend's suffering better. We are convicted of our own sin. We are challenged to serve. Fasting and praying is a way to change ourselves.
And that is why I am going on a gluten-free, sugar-free diet from May 1-3 in Heather's honor, and doing some serious praying and soul-searching, which always go hand in hand. Have you ever tried to pray for someone else with sin on your conscience? So difficult.
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