In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to become consumed by the daily grind, leaving little time for spiritual growth. But what if there was a powerful tool that could help us refocus our hearts and minds on God? Enter the spiritual discipline of fasting – a practice that has been around for millennia, yet often overlooked in modern times.

At its core, fasting is about abstaining from something to seek God more intentionally. Traditionally, this has meant abstaining from food for a defined period, but the principle can extend beyond just food. The key is to replace the time we would normally spend on that activity with time spent seeking God through prayer, scripture reading, or worship.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see numerous examples of God’s people fasting for various reasons:

1. Regular rhythms of fasting: In Leviticus 16:29, God established an annual day of fasting for the Israelites, showing the importance of setting aside regular times to seek Him intentionally.
2. Fasting in mourning: When King David’s child fell ill as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba, he fasted and sought God’s mercy (2 Samuel 12).
3. Seeking forgiveness: The people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah’s warning of impending judgment, declared a fast to seek God’s forgiveness (Jonah 3:7-9).
4. Seeking guidance: In Judges 20:26-27, the Israelites fasted and sought God’s direction in a time of tribal conflict.
5. Seeking courage and help: Queen Esther, facing a life-threatening situation, called for a three-day fast before approaching the king (Esther 4:15-16).

These examples demonstrate that fasting is not just about giving up food – it’s about creating space in our lives to earnestly seek God’s presence, guidance, and intervention.

Even Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, recognized the power of fasting. After His baptism, the very first thing He did was to go into the wilderness to fast for 40 days. If Jesus, who was in constant communion with the Father, saw the need to fast, how much more should we?

During His fast, Jesus faced temptation from Satan. When tempted to turn stones into bread, Jesus responded with a profound truth: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This statement encapsulates a key aspect of fasting – the reminder that our sustenance comes not just from physical food, but from God Himself.

So how can we incorporate fasting into our lives today? Here are some practical tips:

1. Start small: Don’t jump into a 40-day fast if you’ve never fasted before. Begin with skipping a single meal or fasting for one day.
2. Be careful when breaking your fast: Avoid overindulging when you end your fast. Ease back into regular eating.
3. Honor medical restrictions: If you have health conditions that make fasting from food difficult, consult your doctor and consider other forms of fasting.
4. Remember the heart of fasting: It’s not about checking a box on a spiritual to-do list. It’s about creating space to seek God more intentionally.
5. Couple fasting with other spiritual disciplines: Use the time you would normally spend eating to pray, read scripture, worship, or other disciplines focused on God.

While fasting has traditionally centered around food, in our modern world, there may be other things that consume our time and attention even more than meals do. Technology, particularly our smartphones and social media, often fits this description perfectly.

Consider the words of Jesus in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” How often does technology steal our joy, kill our time, and destroy our relationships and sense of community?

This is where the concept of a “digital fast” comes in. For a set period – perhaps the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter – consider deleting entertainment apps from your phone. Social media, streaming services, games – remove them all. When you feel the urge to scroll, reach for your Bible app instead. Use that time to pray, worship, or meditate on scripture.

If you’re feeling particularly bold, consider removing the TV from your living room or bedroom. Bring back face-to-face interactions, board games, and meaningful conversations with loved ones.

A word of caution: the first week or two of a digital fast may be challenging. Our brains have become accustomed to the dopamine hits provided by social media and endless scrolling. You may experience withdrawal-like symptoms. But push through – after a couple of weeks, you’ll likely feel lighter, more present, and more connected to God and those around you.

Whether you choose to fast from food, technology, or something else entirely, remember that the goal is to create more space in your life for God. It’s about dependency – recognizing that we often rely too heavily on created things rather than the Creator Himself.

As you embark on this journey of fasting, remember that you’re not alone. Christians throughout history have practiced this discipline, finding it to be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and renewal. Share your intentions with a trusted friend or small group for accountability and encouragement.

Fasting is not about earning God’s favor or manipulating Him to do what we want. It’s about aligning our hearts with His, creating space for Him to work in and through us. It’s about reminded ourselves that our deepest needs can only be met in Him.

So, as you consider incorporating fasting into your spiritual life, remember the words of Jesus: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).

May your times of fasting draw you closer to the heart of God, reshape your priorities, and remind you of your utter dependence on Him. As you create space in your life through fasting, may you find that space filled with the presence and power of the living God.

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