Disciplines for Life Part 5: Fasting

We all are practicing “fasters” on a regular basis. We are all more than happy to give up something (abstain) for something else that we want. We might give up soft drinks during a sport season. We might give up a certain style of music if a guy or girl we want to impress doesn’t like it. We might quit eating candy to lose weight.

Here are 6 Godly reasons to fast:

1. Fasting helps us hear and understand God. (Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:3,20-23)

2. Fasting teaches control over desire (1 Corinthians 6:12, 9:27)

3. Fasting humbles our souls (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)

4. Fasting prepares us for the “hard things”
3 Biblical Examples
Read Ezra 8:21-23-Ezra returning to rebuild Jerusalem
Read Matthew 4:1-3-Jesus starting his earthly ministry
Read Acts 13:2-3-Selecting and commissioning Paul and Barnabas as missionaries

5. Fasting opens our eyes to poverty and injustice (Isaiah 58:3-7)

6. Fasting helps our prayer life (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Six godly reasons to fast...the question is do you want it? Do you want to understand God, control desires, have a better prayer life, be humble, do hard things, and recognize other’s needs? If you want these things, where will you start?

What is one regular activity that you wold really miss if it were removed from your schedule? Would you be willing to lay it aside to make sure it hasn’t mastered you? For how long?

Do you want to understand God, control desires, have a better prayer life, be humble, do hard things, and recognize other’s needs? If you want these things, where will you start?

Some Fasting "Practicals"

Things you can fast from:
Food (certain types-candy, caffeine, whole meals)
Internet
Texting
TV
Video Games
Music (altogether or certain types)
Hobbies
Certain Relationships
Anything that is getting in the way of you hearing and understanding God

Types of Fasts:
The normal fast-Complete abstinence-(only drink water during a food fast)
The partial fast-fast from a particular meal, a particular food, or some other item that requires self-control
The corporate fast-fasting with others (for encouragement and greater power)

Plan Ahead
Pray
Work your Way Up
Expect Some Side Effects
-Headaches
-Drowsiness
-Lightheadedness
-Stomach cramps
-Chills
-Bad Breath
-Heightened Sense of Taste
The Right Way to End a Fast-Ease your way back in

From Disciplines for Life, part of the Pursuit of Godliness series from Sovereign Grace Ministries
www.sovereigngraceministries.org