How Does Fasting Help Grow a Deeper Relationship With God?

As we continue our efforts at spiritual disciplines, this week let’s look at fasting. Fasting is a discipline we see used by God’s people throughout history. Fasting is often denying ourselves food so that we can focus our attention on God. Many people chose to fast and pray together. Fasting does not always mean going without food completely. In Daniel 10:2-3, we read, “When 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.” Daniel’s fast excluded rich food, wine, and meat. Fasting can also be applied to other areas – like streaming shows and movies, social media, and other activities which keep you from focusing on God. 

Fasting can help us refocus, concentrate our prayers, identify areas of sin in our lives, and increase our desire to be more like Christ. Jesus encouraged fasting as beneficial for His followers in Matthew 6:17-18, when He said, “But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Fasting, while often regarding food, can be giving up anything to allow us to focus our attention on God and grow our relationship with Him.

 In most cases, fasting is for a short time and is almost always in conjunction with consecration or setting ourselves apart for His purposes in our lives. Romans 12:1-2 tells us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Fasting leads us to consecration, moving in our lives to help us identify and remove idols, grow a deeper relationship with God, and allow God the freedom to work in our lives. 

May we consider fasting as a spiritual discipline and determine how it fits into our lives as we seek a closer fellowship with Him.