Fasting Biblically

 Psalm 42:1-2


1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.


2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?


We’ve all been guilty of overlooking those we love. There are so many things vying for our attention, and we often choose the quick task over investment in a relationship. Unfortunately, we can do the same thing with God. But that’s not what we really want, is it?

The biblical practice of fasting is one way to help us focus on God and what matters to Him. It’s an opportunity to set aside other things so we can to seek His face and hear His voice. It’s a time of preparation that leads us to fix our attention on God’s purposes and will.

I have been practicing intermittent fasting now for almost two years.  I don’t say this for attention or to brag as the Bible commands us not to do, instead I’m sharing so that you may know of some of the benefits.

One of the biggest things I learned in my fasting journey is how much time I waste eating.  Now, I don’t mean eating for health and what is needed, but the unnecessary eating.  Many of us who have struggled with weight and even those that don’t struggle, know that sometimes we eat when we are “bored.”  When I set myself to fast, and determined it would be done, do you know what I began occupying my “bored” time with?  Yes, that’s right.  Prayer and Bible study.

Try to think of how much time each day you may waste on snacking that can be used in reading, studying, and praying.  Think of how much time you spend when you can be reaching out to someone.  It truly is amazing once you realize that. 

Many of us haven’t tried fasting because it seems too hard. We don’t know how to begin or when to find the time. But if we see it for what it is—something that sharpens our spiritual vision, intensifies our desire for God, and leads to understanding His direction—then we will want to try it for ourselves.

Have you been crying out to the Father for more of Him? Do you need to know God’s will for a particular area of your life? Biblical fasting can help bring you to the place where your hearing is sharper, your mind is clearer, and your eyes are more firmly fixed on the Lord and His plans. Why not discover this for yourself?





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