Fasting is the Missing Ingredient
Hunger for Something Greater (Part 2)
As I mentioned in a previous post, all of our desires find their fullest satisfaction in our relationship with Jesus. As believers, we are called to long for righteousness, and the Bible uses the language of hunger and desire to teach us the importance of striving for and seeking God as our ultimate goal. The promise is one of ultimate satisfaction—"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6, ESV). As C.S. Lewis put it (insert quote here), nothing else will fulfill the deep cravings of our souls.
How Do We Strengthen This Longing?
The Bible provides a clear answer: fasting.
Fasting Defined
Fasting, in its most common form, is the denial of food for a set period of time with the intention of seeking after God. While there is no specific biblical mandate on how long or how often to fast, the Bible does offer important guidelines for its practice. In today’s American Christian culture, fasting is often overlooked, but in doing so, we miss out on a profound spiritual blessing and resource.
Fasting as a Physical Reminder to Seek God
The physical effects of hunger are intense, often coming in waves—both mentally and physically. Each of these waves of hunger serves as a reminder to turn to the Lord. Fasting isn’t a “holy hunger strike,” but rather, a means of grace through which God reminds us that our need for Him is greater than our need for daily bread.
In Matthew 4:4, Jesus says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Fasting is a tangible way to experience this truth. It filters our prayers, helping us ask: Are we praying for things that truly matter? Are we striving for what aligns with God’s will?
Fasting Frees Up Time for Prayer
On average, we spend about an hour each day preparing and eating meals. What if you dedicated that extra time to prayer? Imagine how your spiritual life might change if you spent that hour in prayer for the situations weighing on your heart. With so many time-saving devices in our modern world, we often forget that God created us with a need for sustenance—but fasting reminds us that spiritual nourishment is just as essential.
Fasting Increases Our Capacity to Serve
In Isaiah 58:6-7, we read about the kind of fasting that pleases God: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness... to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house?" Fasting isn’t just about personal spiritual growth; it also increases our sensitivity to others and our ability to serve them.
Conclusion
Fasting is the denial of our own physical hungers for a time, to increase our hunger and desire for God Himself. It amplifies our prayers and deepens our dependence on the Lord. All our prayers should center around seeking a deeper awareness of God's presence and understanding His will in our lives. When we fast, we are reminded that God promises to satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.