Today my church started 6 days of fasting. Our church members can join us all 6 days or pick one or any number of days in between. We will also be praying corporately in the evenings.
I have a fasting plan for this week, but I’m going to keep it to myself for now because to reveal it would be to give the wrong idea about the purpose of fasting. I may explain what I mean in more detail toward the middle of the week.
At this point, I’m 24 hours into the fast (nothing but water). So, let me explain first why I fast.
I am no ascetic. I like five-star hotels, first class air travel, nice cars, nice clothes and gourmet food. But I fast.
I fast because, as Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). I fast because I want to more clearly hear His words, and when I hear His words, I hear Him.
I don’t know how it works or why it works; I can only speculate. But I do know that fasting induces a spiritual hyper-sensitivity.
When I read the Bible while fasting, the words jump off the page and assume a clarity, as if placed under a magnifying glass. The edges of the letters are sharp and cut deep into my soul.
I don’t need to be able to explain or understand how this works. Some things are better experienced than understood. I do know that it is real, and from what I hear, others share a similar experience.
I don’t fast to get more disciplined or to put God in my debt. I fast to get more of God. GS