Fasting - Hunger for Him

Fasting expresses our hunger for God.  “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2)  Jesus, who is the bread of life, invites us to find all satisfaction in him alone.  Fasting is giving up food in exchange for spiritual nourishment. 

The Hebrew word for fasting literally means to keep the mouth shut.  In ancient Israel , fasting was a deliberate abstinence from all food for a spiritual purpose.   The Law of Moses required only one national fast – the Day of Atonement.  By the time Jesus was born, a pious Jew would fast on Monday and Thursday.  The Gospel of Luke introduces us to Anna the Prophetess who “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”  (Luke 2:37) 

Fasting for spiritual purposes continued in the New Testament period and well beyond into the Christian tradition.  The apostles called for fasting among Jewish and Gentile Christians alike.  An early document called the Didache instructs Christians to fast twice weekly – on Wednesday and Friday.  Clement of Alexandria noted that weekly fasting continued in the church well into the second century.

Indeed, fasting has been a useful discipline down through the centuries.  John Cassian (365-433) encourages us saying, “And so we ought therefore to bestow attention on bodily abstinence, that we may by fasting attain to purity of heart.”  Fasting is a good discipline for developing self-control and moderation. Gaining control over the belly gives us discipline over the entire body. In fact, genuine fasting is known only to God and is hidden from others by a joyful appearance.

Traditional reasons for fasting include repentance for sin, mourning the death of a loved one, preparing for divine service, and anticipating a revelation from God.  Jesus himself fasted as part of other activities such as spiritual struggle, prayer and evangelism.  Fasting reminds us that we are utterly dependent on God.  Hunger tells us that our bodies need food.  Then we can truly give thanks to God the Father who gives the rain that yields a rich harvest.

The ancient wisdom of fasting still applies in our too-busy contemporary lives.  We can learn from the ancients who, instead of eating, spent their mealtimes in prayer and meditation.  Fasting can create time in our overloaded schedules to satisfy the hunger for God.  Discover the joy and freedom that is found in the discipline of fasting.

Copyright 2007, Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf

Subscribe

Like our articles? Why not subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter? It's a quick, easy and fun read. We know you'll love it!

Reprint Rights

Our articles are available for reprint in your publication or church newsletter. Why not contact us today?

"Fasting can create time in our overloaded schedules to satisfy the hunger for God."