The traditional understanding of fasting has been the staying away from food for a particular season, often for spiritual purposes. Now we know that fasting does not only have spiritual benefits, but also physical, health and mental benefits. It is important to note however that the spiritual benefits fasting affords are not automatic; they’re obtained with intentionality and disciplines.
The lack of these disciplines, intentionality and motivation, coupled with the familiarity of corporate fasting, and the complexities of 21st century lifestyle, often deprive most Christians the benefits of fasting. But why do it, if you do it in a manner that deprives you of the available benefits?
Fasting is Starvation.
It is not only abstinence from food, but from your usual appetites. Fasting is abstinence from the things that feed your fleshy desires and pleasures; the things you feel you cannot do away with- Facebook, tik-tok, social media scrolls, movies, gaming, etc. Fasting is cutting the attention and time you spend on spiritually unprofitable ventures, like the unhealthy lengthy phone calls, arguments, and your favourite TV programs- football matches, telenovelas, etc. Fasting is denying your flesh the pleasure it always seeks. Starving your pleasures and cravings (whatever form they are) is fasting. Everything cannot remain “as usual” in a fasting mood.
Fasting is Devotion
Fasting requires us not only to stay away from our usual appetites, but most importantly, that we give ourselves to spiritual exercises that heighten our receptivity and responsivity to the Holy Spirit. Get a Bible Reading Plan or the scriptures given for the fast; intentionally spend time reading and thinking about them. Have a “me and You” time alone with God, yourself, and also in fellowship with the saints. Engage video or audio contents (sermons, songs), and conversations that edify you in the faith. Read Christian literature. It is these disciplines that make fasting profitable, not the mere abstinence from food.
Fasting is Jesus
He is the reason, object and goal of everything we do. Fasting ought to be done the Jesus-way; not for public showmanship, or to tick your membership of a particular denomination or Assembly. Fasting is intended to humble and align us to His will, not to manipulate Him.
Fasting is to draw us closer to God, and make us look more like Him. Here’s a wonderful spiritual tool to keep us connected to God, and moulded by Him unto conformity to Christ; let us take advantage rightly.
Gideon Gyasi-Obodai, Pastor, APOSA-UCC
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