Biblical Fasting: Drawing Closer to God
Sermon follow-up 3/24/25
Introduction
Fasting is one of the most powerful yet often neglected spiritual practices in modern Christianity. While it's not about earning God's favor, fasting helps sharpen our love for God and creates space for deeper spiritual transformation.
What is Biblical Fasting?
Biblical fasting is the intentional self-denial of something (often food) to heighten your focus on the Lord. It's not about dieting or intermittent fasting for health - it's about creating space to experience more of God's presence and power in your life.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Fasting?
Throughout Scripture, we see fasting practiced for various spiritual purposes:
Jesus himself assumed his followers would fast, saying "when you fast" rather than "if you fast" (Matthew 6:16-18).
What Makes Fasting Powerful?
Fasting creates a sense of longing and hunger that points us toward our deeper spiritual needs. Just as absence makes the heart grow fonder in relationships, fasting helps us recognize our dependence on God and increases our appetite for His presence.
How Should Christians Approach Fasting?
The key is to fast with purpose, not just to deny yourself. Consider:
Life Application
Consider joining in a season of focused prayer and fasting to:
Questions to reflect on:
Some books on this topic:
Richard Foster - Celebration of Discipline, Donald Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, David Mathis - Habits of Grace.
The goal isn't to impress others or earn God's favor - it's to create intentional space for God's Spirit to move powerfully in and through your life.
Introduction
Fasting is one of the most powerful yet often neglected spiritual practices in modern Christianity. While it's not about earning God's favor, fasting helps sharpen our love for God and creates space for deeper spiritual transformation.
What is Biblical Fasting?
Biblical fasting is the intentional self-denial of something (often food) to heighten your focus on the Lord. It's not about dieting or intermittent fasting for health - it's about creating space to experience more of God's presence and power in your life.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Fasting?
Throughout Scripture, we see fasting practiced for various spiritual purposes:
- Strengthening prayer
- Seeking God's guidance
- Expressing grief or repentance
- Humbling oneself before God
- Ministering to others' needs
- Expressing worship and love for God
Jesus himself assumed his followers would fast, saying "when you fast" rather than "if you fast" (Matthew 6:16-18).
What Makes Fasting Powerful?
Fasting creates a sense of longing and hunger that points us toward our deeper spiritual needs. Just as absence makes the heart grow fonder in relationships, fasting helps us recognize our dependence on God and increases our appetite for His presence.
How Should Christians Approach Fasting?
The key is to fast with purpose, not just to deny yourself. Consider:
- Having a specific spiritual goal
- Planning what you'll do with the time/energy normally spent on what you're fasting from
- Starting small if you're new to fasting
- Being wise about health considerations
- Fasting from things besides food if needed (social media, entertainment, etc.)
Life Application
Consider joining in a season of focused prayer and fasting to:
- Deepen your relationship with God
- Create space for spiritual transformation
- Pray for others to know Jesus
Questions to reflect on:
- What might God be calling you to fast from?
- How could fasting help create more room for God in your life?
- What specific prayers could you focus on during a fast?
Some books on this topic:
Richard Foster - Celebration of Discipline, Donald Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, David Mathis - Habits of Grace.
The goal isn't to impress others or earn God's favor - it's to create intentional space for God's Spirit to move powerfully in and through your life.
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