21 days of fasting: Day 1
In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks about believers engaging in three activities: giving to the needy, praying, and fasting. Note the grammatical structure of the following passages:
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.” – Matthew 6:2 ESV
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.” – Matthew 6:5 ESV
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.” – Matthew 6:16 ESV
Indeed, a common thread in the three verses is Jesus’ use of the word “when”. His assumption, it would seem, is that His followers would make it a practice to give to the needy, to pray, and… to fast.
While there are certainly instances where a Christ follower may conduct a fast in private, there also is Biblical precedent for declared, group fasts. The church I attend has embarked on a 21 day fast, the duration being modeled from the prophet Daniel’s fast (ref. Daniel 1), beginning today, 3 January 2010. The fast is a declared fast, yet the manner in which each church member partakes of the fast is dependent on physical limitation and / or desired commitment. Our pastor has chosen to engage in a liquid-only fast. As for myself and my wife, we will be partaking in a “Daniel Fast”, in which we abstain from meat and luxury foods.
The point of this period of fasting is, quite simply, to draw nearer to God – to enjoy the blessing of His presence – to remind yourself that it is He who is worthy of worship. By abstaining from certain foods, one then has the opportunity to delve deeper into prayer and the reading of God’s Word.
Over the course of the 21 days I hope to post progress reports of what transpires, including the downs – and ups.
As for today, lunch was a light salad, with nuts, and sliced fruit. Dinner will be vegetable soup… wonderful in its own right, yet a bit lacking when not paired with the usual fare.
Image – © A. R. Lopez
Tagged with: daniel fast • fast • fasting
Filed under: Culture • Protestantism • Rusty
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Fasting is something I’ve never quite brought myself to do. Fortunately it’s not encouraged at the church where I attend or I’d be in for a real dilemma. But I do admire those Christians who do it :’)
Rusty,
Well, the tradition I’ve joined some years ago fasts quite abit (I’ve not counted the days but we have 4 major fasts (Lent, Apostles, Dormition, and Nativity) through the year and most weeks fast 2 days in remembrance of Jesus’ arrest and Crucifixion on Wednesday and Friday). Anyhow, I’d note another reason for fasting which is to develop the spiritual discipline for rejecting those things in the world which tempt us, of which there are not just a few.
On Amazon, I’d also recommend the “When You Fast” cookbook as an aid in getting through.
Did a 40-day fast once for some personal issues, and our church has also called for a 21-day fast, though starting next Sunday. I’ll be joining in this as well.
However, while fasting is typically considered to be “not eating at all”, as Rusty notes, it doesn’t have to be that. Our pastor has suggested some other options like skipping a particular meal. We’ve suggested to our kids that perhaps they may wish to give up computer/video games.
The point is to show to ourselves and to God that there is something or some things that we desire that are more important that whatever it is we’re doing without. If this means we have some newly-acquired free time, use that time to commune with God and read His Scriptures and find out what He wants us to know.
Physically, it’s not as hard as it sounds, as far as the “not eating” part goes. Yes, you tend to be a little less energetic, and it is a little difficult the first few days, but at some point during the 40-day one, I got to enjoy the feel of the stomach growling. It was also a reminder, each time it happened, of what I was fasting for.
Thank you for sharing on this. Our church has begun our annual 21 days of fasting & prayer and I have done the Daniel Fast. This year is the first time I’ve decided to do a liquids only fast. I feel healthy enough and disciplined, not only that but because of my hearts cry of seeing my family saved, I will fast & pray for their salvation as well as be in corporate prayer with our church. My children have fasted television, this time they have given up candies & junk food. I am happy to see them more into God’s Word, not only the fasting part but knowing why we Christians believe. Thanks again!