Prayer and Fasting

For several weeks, I have been re-exploring the discipline of fasting. Christian fasting is the voluntary denial of something for a specific time, for a spiritual purpose by an individual, family, community or nation. Traditionally this has meant food, but can include abstaining from t.v., music, technology, shopping, etc.

At various times in my life, I have fasted. On one particular occasion, I fasted from food for three days. During that time, I experienced amazing spiritual breakthroughs, clarity and a heightened awareness of God’s presence. I also had a heightened awareness of the presence of darkness/ evil. Despite those positives, I haven’t been very regular with my practice. As I have talked to other Christians, many acknowledge that they have never fasted for spiritual reasons and/or have no desire to. Why is this discipline so neglected?

In her book Fasting Spiritual Freedom Beyond Our Appetites, Linda Baab gives several reasons why fasting has lost its popularity among Western Christians. For one, consumerism is so prevalent in our culture that it encourages us to fulfill our every desire. Baab suggests that we fear deprivation and have been “subtly convinced that the indulgence of every appetite is psychologically and physically healthy” (19). Secondly, she points out that many Americans are obsessed with weight management and being thin; as a result, fasting is associated with a diet mentality rather than as a way to make room for prayer and hearing God.

Baab also discusses the gender issues related to fasting. Women, typically have more eating disorders which make fasting for spiritual reasons a struggle (If you have an eating disorder, you are not advised to fast from food). Interestingly, men are less likely to fast. Baab says that this too may also be cultural. The male identity in our society emphasizes strength, competence, power and control. Fasting from all food challenges us to let go of our strength and experience and depend on God (25).

There is a level of mystery surrounding the practice of fasting. Last Thursday, our missional community studied the following passage in Mark:

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

I have done a fair amount of reading on fasting, but I still don’t fully understand how it works to make our prayers more effective. Nonetheless, I am developing the conviction that I need to make fasting a more regular part of my lifestyle. The reality is that my list of people with serious health conditions, financial situations, relational problems and emotional disturbances is growing. Yes, I pray; but perhaps it is time for me to take more seriously Jesus’ statement that some “kinds can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”[NKJ)

In preparation for Lent, I invite you to join me in 3 day Daniel Fast 2/15-2/17. More to come!

Reflection Questions
• When you consider the word fasting, what thoughts and feelings come to mind, both positive and negative?

• Consider the ways you like to be competent, feel in control and work from a position of strength. In what ways might fasting help you rely on God’s strength?

Prayer
God, help me explore the obstacles to fasting that I might face. Guide my steps to a small beginning.