Mike Ryan Fasting is the spiritual discipline of denying ourselves something (typically food) to feast on the things of God. Fasting and praying are Bible-based disciplines that are appropriate for all believers of all ages throughout all centuries in all parts of the world. The word “fast” or “a fasting” is tsom in the Hebrew and nesteia in the Greek language. The literal Hebrew translation would be “not to eat.” The literal Greek means “no food.”
It’s a choice of abstinence from food or other worldly connections. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him.
Mike Ryan you only know half of what Jesus offers.
Luke 2:37
“and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”
In the gospels there are two instances where Jesus taught fasting. The first was in Matthew 6:16-18. Here He taught fasting (along with giving and praying) as a presumed and necessary duty in the Christian life. In this passage, He did not say “if you want to fast,” or “if you feel like fasting,” He said, “when you fast.” Therefore, Jesus taught Christians to fast (along with giving and praying) as a regular discipline and duty.
It was by His example. Two of the times Jesus fasted that we know of for sure is when He fasted for forty days without food to prepare Himself for His ministry (Matt. 4:2); and also during the time when He witnessed to the women of Samaria (Jn. 4:31-34).
“He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.” Matthew 4:2
“Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:31-34
The Didache, also known as ‘The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations,’ written by the end of the first century, states in chapter 8: “But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation.”
St Pope Clement said before 100 AD, “By your fastings and prayers and perpetual watching, together with your other good works, mortify the works of the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit”
Spiritual life without fasting is empty of the Spirit. Fasting pulls your heart and mind from worldly attachments and focuses fully upon God.
Fasting isn’t simply giving up M&Ms or a glass of wine. Fasting is breaking the attachment to the world, even if for a moment, and fixing the soul upon God. Giving up chocolate on Wednesday is fine but without the spiritual, prayerful element, it is just dieting.
In a self-centered age of decadence where happiness is often falsely considered the only healthy and proper emotion, fasting can help us to be more God-focused and to remain properly balanced in a life where both celebration and sorrow need proper expression. Private fasting also drives us back to faith and self-sacrificial worship that is all about God and not about our own pleasure of preferences.
Fasting is a cleansing of the soul.