What is Fasting? 

For centuries, Christians have embraced the practice of fasting, a discipline frequently mentioned in the Bible, from Moses and Esther to Jesus Himself. Fasting means temporarily giving up something good, like food, to sharpen our focus on our greater need — God and His work in our lives.

By fasting, we physically demonstrate how much we need, want, and trust Jesus by replacing meals with time spent with the Lord. It’s a declaration that food will not be our primary source of satisfaction. Instead, we occasionally forgo food to affirm that Jesus is more important and essential than even our basic sustenance.

At its core, fasting is not about diminishing the value of food, which is a good gift. Rather, it's a powerful, heartfelt declaration that says, "I love You, God. I need You more than I need food — more than I need life."

In today's world, characterized by rapid pace and instant gratification, it can be challenging to recognize our need for God and to hear from Him. Fasting offers us the opportunity to pause and create space in our lives for a deeper connection with Him.

Fasting is a spiritual practice that helps us humble ourselves before God and draw nearer to Him. Through fasting, we become more aware of our need for God, and it can reveal habits in our lives where we have relied on things other than God. Additionally, fasting can also expose areas where we have been self-medicating or numbing pain, rather than going to God for help. Our goal in fasting is to deepen our trust and relationship with God and to grow to be more like Him.

Traditionally, fasting means abstaining from food, or sometimes specific foods, such as in the Daniel fast. The key is to dedicate this time to God. By giving up food or the free time we usually spend on activities like watching TV or browsing social media, we demonstrate through our actions that we desire more of Him.