CEM UK Team · 3 min read
Jesus did not say "if you fast". He said "when ye fast" (Matthew 6:16). Fasting was an ordinary part of life for Jesus and the early church, yet many believers today have never tried it, or tried once and gave up by lunchtime. It is worth understanding before it is worth attempting.
Fasting is setting aside food, or something else you rely on, for a season so that the time and the hunger can be given to God. It is not a way of earning an answer, and it is not a diet with a spiritual label. Every pang of hunger becomes a reminder to pray.
In Scripture, God's people fasted when they needed direction (Acts 13:2-3), when they were turning back to Him (Joel 2:12), when they faced danger (Esther 4:16) and when they were grieving. Through Isaiah, God described the fast He chooses: one that goes on to "loose the bands of wickedness" and "let the oppressed go free" (Isaiah 58:6). Real fasting changes how we treat people, not only how we feel.
Jesus fasted forty days before His public ministry began (Matthew 4:2), and He expected His followers to fast after He had gone (Mark 2:20). His main warning was about performance. The religious leaders of His day made sure everyone knew they were hungry. Jesus said instead, "anoint thine head, and wash thy face" (Matthew 6:17). Fasting is between you and your Father, and He sees it.
You do not need to start with a long fast. Start small and let it grow:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, diabetic, living with or recovering from an eating disorder, taking regular medication, or managing any health condition, speak to your GP before fasting from food. Young people should fast with a parent's guidance.
You can still fast. Set aside social media, television or another daily habit, and give that time to God. The heart of fasting is not the empty plate. It is the turning of your attention towards Him.
"May every hunger turn your heart towards God, and may you find in Jesus the bread of life that truly satisfies."
