Eyre, S. D.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is broader than our quiet times. We may set aside half an hour for a quiet time, but a fast goes through a day or more. It is a helpful tool, however, because as a spiritual discipline, fasting enhances our spiritual sensitivity. It is partially or completely abstaining from food for the purpose of seeking God. Fasting plays a significant role in the Scriptures. It was used as an emergency measure when things looked desperate. David fasted when he sought God for the life of his dying child (2 Sam 12:16–23). When Judah was invaded by an overwhelming army, king Jehoshaphat called a national fast (2 Chron 20:3). And when the Jews of Persia were to be massacred, Mordecai and Esther called a fast to seek God for deliverance (Esther 4:16).

Sometimes fasting expressed repentance, as when the exiled Jewish nation returned to the Promised Land under Ezra and Nehemiah (Neh 9:1). As Ezra read the Law, the exiles discovered how far they had departed from the ways of God. Fasting was their repentant response.

Fasting was also used as a means of dedication and preparation. Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness prior to the beginning of his ministry (Mt 4:2). Paul and Barnabas fasted prior to their missionary journeys (Acts 13:1–3).

Fasting is one of the last spiritual disciplines I explored. I like to eat, and so I avoided it. But while meditating on Jesus’ teaching about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 6:16–18), I realized that it was for me.

As I began to fast, I saw that food is promoted endlessly. “Eat, eat, eat” is the insistent, incessant message. It tests my resolve to place God above my appetites each time I fast. Like no other discipline, fasting involves all of me, body and soul, in the pursuit of God. When my body is hungry, my appetite working overtime and my will wavering, I am reminded that I have chosen God above all other desires. Hunger actually becomes my friend. Every hunger pang I feel reminds me to lift my requests to God. Each food commercial is an opportunity to say no to food and yes to God.

I fast periodically, usually during times of special need. A couple of times I fasted when I needed God’s direction in my ministry and career. Once I fasted in regard to a fundraising deficit. There are times when I feel out of touch with God, ministry and family. Fasting in these situations lifts my spirit and strengthens my faith. For the past several years I have chosen to fast for Lent. Fasting at this time helps me enter into the pain of Christ’s work on the cross.

How do you actually go about fasting? On a twenty-four hour fast I eat nothing after the evening meal until the time of the evening meal on the following day. Actually that is only missing breakfast and lunch. A thirty-six hour fast means I eat nothing after the evening meal and skip all meals the following day. It’s also possible to do a selective fast, abstaining from certain types of food. You might skip meat for a period of time, or coffee or soft drinks. I find this type of fast harder than total abstinence.

Extended fasts require some thought. If you go longer than thirty-six hours, it’s wise to fast selectively. Nutritionists tell me that eliminating the amino acids that we get from protein for more than a day can alter our body chemistry and have negative effects on the heart. Going on an extended fast for me usually means restricting my intake to raw fruits and vegetables, with some milk or cheese for protein.

Fasting differs from dieting. There is a power to abstain from food on a fast that isn’t present in a diet. Once while finishing an extended fast, I was called on to work in the kitchen at a conference I was attending. Surprisingly, the temptation to eat was negligible, and I experienced an unaccustomed joy in serving others. If I had been dieting, I would not have responded with such goodwill or restraint.

Shortly after Jackie and I were married, we met an elderly neighbor named Mrs. Bibbs. She invited us to visit her later in the evening for what Jackie and I assumed would be dessert and coffee. However, that was not what Mrs. Bibbs served. It was clear that she had been cooking and baking all day, maybe for several days, and it was spread out grandly on the table for us to enjoy. But we had eaten a full meal just before we came. All that great food, prepared with much thoughtfulness, was not in the least appetizing.

Of course we ate, profusely thanking our hostess for the wonderful meal. After each serving, she insisted that we have another serving and then another. Not wanting to disappoint her, we ate and ate. By the time we got up from the table, I was in considerable pain.

In the world we are surrounded by people who are saying, “Have some more, have some more, have some more.” However, when we fast we are saying, “No, thank you. I’m saving room in my life for Someone else.”

--Source: Eyre, S. D. Drawing close to God: The essentials of a dynamic quiet time: A life-guide resource.