Going Deeper in Prayer: The Power of Fasting

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to fall into patterns of superficial, distracted prayer. But what if there was a way to deepen our connection with God, to set our face toward Him with renewed focus and intensity? Today, we're exploring the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of fasting and how it can transform our prayer lives.

The Biblical Foundations of Fasting

Throughout the Old Testament, we see powerful examples of prayer and fasting in times of great need or spiritual significance. Daniel 9, Ezra 9, and Nehemiah 9 all showcase moments where God's people turned to Him with fasting and fervent prayer. These weren't casual conversations with the divine, but rather intense periods of seeking God's face with their whole hearts.

Jesus himself spoke about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, cautioning against using it as a means of showing off one's spirituality. He taught, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)

What is Fasting?

At its core, fasting is going without food and/or water and other pleasures for a spiritual purpose. It's not merely skipping meals to lose weight or for health reasons. Biblical fasting is always linked with spiritual purposes – watching and fasting, prayer and fasting, worshipping and fasting. It's a way of saying to God, "I'm serious about this. I'm setting aside my physical needs to focus entirely on You."

When to avoid fasting: As we consider fasting, it's crucial to examine our hearts and avoid certain pitfalls:

1. For Show: Don't fast to impress others with your spirituality.
2. Legalism: Fasting isn't a way to earn God's favor or manipulate Him into blessing you.
3. Ritualism: Don't fast out of habit or tradition without true spiritual intent.
4. Self-Righteousness: Avoid pride in your fasting practices.

The prophet Zechariah records God asking His people, "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?" (Zechariah 7:5) This reminds us that our fasting must be unto the Lord, with pure motives.

The Power of Fasting

When approached with the right heart, fasting can have profound spiritual effects:

1. Strengthens Prayer: Fasting shows God we're serious about our petitions. It brings faith into focus, like a spiritual string tied around our finger, reminding us to seek God's face with every hunger pang.

2. Deals With Self: Many of us don't realize how controlled we are by our appetites. Fasting helps us learn to say "no" to ourselves, addressing the tough "weed" of self in our spiritual gardens.

3. Holds Off God's Judgment: The story of Jonah and Nineveh demonstrates how a nation's fasting and repentance can avert God's judgment. When the people of Nineveh fasted and turned from their evil ways, "God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways. He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened." (Jonah 3:10)

4. Stops the Enemies of God: In 2 Chronicles 20, we see King Jehoshaphat proclaim a fast when faced with overwhelming enemies. Through fasting and prayer, God intervened miraculously.

5. Gives Spiritual Guidance: The early church fasted as they sought God's direction. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" (Acts 13:2) This led to the first great missionary journey of the early church.

6. Shatters Strongholds: Fasting can break down spiritual barriers and bondages in our lives. Isaiah 58:6 describes the fast God has chosen: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

Practical Guidelines for Fasting

If you're considering incorporating fasting into your spiritual life, here are some practical tips:

1. Examine your motivation: Pray and ask God to guide you in this decision.
2. Choose your fast prayerfully: The Bible doesn't give strict rules about fasting. Start small, perhaps with a one-day fast.
3. Avoid extremism: Don't jump into extended fasts without preparation.
4. Pick a day when you can focus on seeking the Lord: Remember, fasting is more than just going hungry.
5. Break your fast gently: When ending your fast, start with light foods like salads.
6. Consult your doctor: If you have medical conditions or are pregnant, seek medical advice before fasting.
7. Keep it between you and God: Avoid bragging about your fasting practices.

A Call to Deeper Prayer

In our modern world, we've often neglected the powerful spiritual discipline of fasting. As Adrian Rogers once quipped, "We have gone from the upper room with its fire to the supper room with its smoke." While fellowship and sharing meals together is beautiful and biblical, perhaps it's time we rediscovered the transformative power of fasting.

Imagine what might happen in our lives, our churches, and our communities if we learned to "set our face" toward God through focused prayer and fasting. What strongholds might fall? What guidance might we receive? How might our prayers be strengthened?

As we close, let's remember the words of the prophet Joel: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12) God is inviting us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. Will we accept the invitation?

Consider setting aside time this week to fast and pray. It doesn't have to be elaborate – even a single meal can be an opportunity to focus your heart on God. As you do, may you discover the transformative power of seeking God with your whole heart through prayer and fasting.