Fasting for Spiritual and Physical Health

I was once talking to a woman and the subject of fasting came up. She bubbled about the benefits of fasting and how she did it often for the sake of her health. I mentioned that I was also a fasting practitioner, but that good health was only a side effect and not the main reason I had for fasting. She looked at me crossways and said, “Now why the heck would you fast if not for your health?” I proceeded to explain that, Biblically, fasting is the practice of denying oneself food in order to concentrate on a relationship with God and the pursuit of a state of unity with him, or in the pursuit of an intention that is desired from God. Simply by removing the chore of eating from a daily schedule frees up time to be spent on Spiritual pursuits, such as reading Holy Scriptures or praying in personal communication with God. Fasting allows one to concentrate and meditate on the precepts of the Lord, to meditate on His Word.

Fasting has been around since the time of the Biblical patriarchs 4,000 years ago and before. Fasting was practiced by adherents in both the Old and New Testament. For instance, Moses fasted for two recorded forty-day periods. We don’t hear of any Prophets or Saints who were overweight either. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, “when,” not if. The Bible is replete with instances of the spiritual leaders e.g. Onias the High Priest of the Israelites calling for a time of national prayer and fasting. The prophets would often don sackcloth and ashes in order to fast and pray before the Lord.

Fasts can be carried out for varying periods. Some people like to fast from sun up to sun down, so that they finish the fast with the evening meal. Yom Kippur in the Jewish calendar is a total 24 hour fast, during which nothing at all is eaten or drunk and the day is spent in the synagogue praying and worshipping God. Of course there are the 40 day fasts of Jesus and Moses mentioned previously, and many churches practice the 3 day fast which culminates with a time of fellowship and breaking of bread. Through personal experience though, it is not wise to have a huge meal to break the fast, especially after a longer fast.

To prepare for this special communion with God, It is important that the person engaging in the fasting examines their own conscience and heart to clear themselves of any lingering sins. Scripture tells us that God requires His people to repent of sins before He will hear their prayers. Psalm 66:16-20 tells us: Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!

Blessed be God who didn’t turn away when I was praying, and didn’t refuse me his kindness and love.

Fasting is an important facet in the spiritual realm, but it has its roots in the physical. Before fasting there should be some basic preparations. When fasting for an extended period, say a week, it is helpful to prepare yourself by eating smaller meals before you totally cease eating altogether. Don’t have a huge meal before you begin, thinking that this will last you over the fast. Instead you should cut down on large meals and get your stomach used to smaller and smaller meals.

Some nutritionists suggest eating only uncooked foods before starting a fast. Others also recommend cutting caffeine and sugar to ease hunger or discomfort at the early stages of the fast.

Although fasting will be a great blessing if done in the Spirit of humility, it can not always be done by everyone. Those people who do fast may experience mental and physical discomforts. There are inner doubts that may arise, especially if you have a particular liking for some delicacy that you have denied yourself. Personally I have found that taking Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:3-4 to heart, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God, to be very helpful. Whenever I have had pangs of hunger or regret for a food, I have taken up the Bible and read His Word until the craving passed. This works.