Does God really expect me to fast?

Photo by David-Beale on Unsplash

I began a 21-day discipline (fasting) last week. I tell you this because the insanity in the world is alarming, and I need answers to potentially life-changing questions.

I also suggest this because of how different fasting is in my life.

While pastoring, I fasted often. Whenever I went on extended fasts (like this one), I spent hours reading the Bible and praying in the sanctuary. There were times I would lock myself in a church member’s guest house for days at a time while I sought the Lord for answers.

 

Those days are gone, and this current discipline looks nothing like those old days.

It raised the question, how do you fast when you have a full-time job and a full-time life?

Everyone is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all method.

Let me explain.

Fasting is a discipline with a purpose in mind.

For me, I need some answers to real-life concerns in my family. The insanity I mentioned earlier only adds chaos to my situation. It sounds cliché’-ish, but life was simpler 20 years or 30 years ago. The morays and norms of life lent themselves to adhere to biblical principles—while today, not so much.

This means my discipline is to hear from God, which can take many forms, as I will explain.

 

Fasting is giving up something to focus on God.

I suppose I am old-school (maybe pastor-schooled) concerning fasting. You fast food, not how much television you watch, how long you hang out with friends—food.

Traditionally, we eat three times a day. This means three times daily, I seek the Lord instead of putting food in my mouth.

As I said, everyone is different. The focus is giving up to get closer to God. When you fast, you do whatever works for you—if it’s giving up television, electronic, or whatever—do it, but don’t forget to draw closer to God.

 

Fasting is for a predetermined period.

The purpose of the fast is to hear from God. Fasting can be open-ended (I am under this discipline until I get an answer) or for some time.

The Bible mentions several periods of fasting, twice a week, 21 days, and 40 days. For 21 days, she impressed me in my heart.

 

Here’s what my 21-day discipline looks like.

 

Life dictated that I find some answers. I knew I needed to hear from God, so I committed to fasting. I was impressed in my heart to fast for 21 days.

I let my wife know so she would not buy unneeded groceries.

I wrote in my prayer journal the questions I need answers for.

I set the day and began.

My regimen of vitamin supplements requires food. It would not be wise to go three weeks without the supplements, so I told the Lord I would have a bowl of oatmeal, a slice of Ezekiel toast, and a small cup of coffee with creamer, no sugar.

You might ask, why not trust God to sustain you and forgo your supplements? I could have, but I chose not to.

There is a story in the Old Testament where God tells a prophet to go under a specific discipline. He tells the prophet to use human dung for fuel to make a fire to make a meal. The prophet objects, saying he would instead use animal dung—God agrees.

The story is found in Ezekiel chapter four.

The point is that God works with us, not against us. So, oatmeal, Ezekiel toast, and a small cup of coffee. (The small coffee is to avoid having caffeine withdrawals)

During the mealtimes (including breakfast), I find a quiet place and talk to God, mentioning my questions to him.

 

Hearing from God

 

One day, while driving to work, I was praying and heard, “Break the curse.” It was so loud it was almost audible.

I immediately knew it was the Lord giving me an answer.

Another day, I needed to see someone about a work-related matter. Knowing (at least) part of my family’s concerns, she asked me questions curiously. As she was talking, something she said resonated within my heart.

“Could this be an answer,” I thought.

I spoke with my wife about it, and we have made it a matter of prayer to determine if it is an answer.

I am an avid reader of Proverbs and have been for many years.

Although it has not happened (yet), I often have a Proverb illuminated in my heart as I read it. I immediately know it is the Lord directing me—I listen.

 

The Bible says,

Call unto me, and I will answer—Jeremiah 33:3

I can be confident God will take care of everything I need—Philippians 4:19

Ask, and God will respond—John 15:16

 

So, fasting is a discipline designed to bring Christ-followers closer to God.

God will work with us rather than against us as we determine to fast.

God will speak to us in various ways, so we must be open to discern his voice.

(This is important because if you predetermine how God will speak, you will likely not hear him).

A close personal relationship with the Godhead provides you a living hope. It is a living anticipation full of expectation of something good happening.

 

A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.