Religious fasting is not very common today, either in the Canadian Reformed churches or elsewhere. Perhaps this comes from a lack of understanding concerning what fasting is and why we should do it. Fasting for religious purposes is denying the natural appetite for food out of a desire to bring glory to God’s Name through the mortification of sin. Fasting is abstaining from food, not for legalistic reasons, but out of a sincere desire to glorify God. It is also for the purpose of putting to death sins which still cling to us (though we will never entirely succeed), humiliating ourselves before God, mourning and grieving over sin, and enjoying God’s mercy and grace, knowing that God has washed away our sin with the blood of Christ.

Why Should We Fast?⤒🔗

The answer is simple: because it is taught in Scripture. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus says, “Moreover, when you fast do not be like the hypocrites...” Jesus expects that His people will fast in the same way that He expects His people to pray and give alms (Matthew 6:2, 5). Christ Himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). When we look back to the Old Testament we find many examples of God’s people fasting. Nehemiah fasted when he heard about Jerusalem’s dilapidated condition (Nehemiah1:4). David fasted when the son he brought forth by Bathsheba was on the brink of death (2 Samuel 12:16). When we flip back to the New Testament we find the early church fasting at the ordination of elders (Acts 14:23). 1 Corinthians 7:5 admonishes husbands and wives to “give yourselves to fasting and prayer.” Other examples could be brought forward, but it should be clear that fasting is taught in Scripture both by way of example and exhortation.

But Why does God Teach us to Fast?←⤒🔗

Fasting is always associated with grief and mourning in Scripture. In Luke 5:34, Christ says, “Can you make the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” The disciples could not fast while Jesus was with them, because it was a time for rejoicing. However, we live in the time when the bridegroom has gone away, and now, Jesus says in Luke 5:35, is the time to fast. We fast out of grief and sorrow for our sins. We fast because we realize that we grieve God continually because of our inordinate wickedness. The end of fasting is the joy of knowing that Christ has paid for all of our sins and saved us.

Who Should Fast?←⤒🔗

Only those who can do it out of worship for God (not out of superstition, legalism, or hypocrisy) should fast. Generally speaking, all Christians should fast. There are instances where people may have medical or psychological problems (i.e. diabetes or eating disorders) in which fasting is not advisable. Children can also fast, but they should only do it for short periods of time so as not to deprive them of their necessary nutrition. They must also be taught the reasons for fasting, so as to give them a proper perspective on it.

When Should We Fast?←⤒🔗

We can fast as individuals when we have personal needs or problems in our lives. If you are wrestling with a particular sin or are experiencing some kind of personal turmoil, it would be advisable to set aside a day or days of fasting. We can also fast as families and churches under similar circumstances. Finally, we ought to fast as a nation if called upon to do so by the civil government.

How Should We Fast?←⤒🔗

Scripture gives us solid guidance on this question. In Matthew 6 Christ teaches us that we ought not to make a public spectacle of our fasting. Keep it to yourself as much as possible. Only tell those around you who need to know, such as your family. Don’t look downtrodden or act peculiarly, your fasting is only between you and God. Do not try to draw attention to yourself in your fasting.

Also, do not fast to a point where you physically harm yourself. Set realistic times for fasting. If you have hard physical labour to perform consider a partial fast, eating only to satisfy what you need and not to satisfy your appetite. Drinking plenty of water during a fast is also necessary since your body cannot function very long otherwise. Spend the day as much as possible in Scripture reading, prayer and meditation. Avoid worldly activities and concentrate on your reason for fasting, namely sanctification.

We must continually desire to be made holy. The Puritan Richard Sibbes once wrote, “He that looks to be happy, must first look to be holy.” Fasting is a means of sanctification, a way to holiness. It must not be viewed as a way to salvation, since that is a free gift of God’s grace. Fasting is for God’s children who desire to serve Him better and to each day more and more reflect His image until they are completely regenerated in the hereafter by the Holy Spirit and live in perfect communion with the Father.