Fasting

Happy Sunday. Today we're going to look at the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting is one of those disciplines that everybody knows about, yet few likely practice fasting for spiritual reasons. It's a bit difficult for me to share about fasting when I say that.

Let me share with you these words of Jesus from Matthew chapter 6. Instructions on fasting. Jesus said, "And whenever you fast, do not look somber like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, put oil on your head, wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others, but by your father who is in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. Fasting is a very private and personal discipline. We're told to keep it between us and God and so it's hard to give personal examples.

Dietrich Bonhoffer in his book the cost of disciplehip wrote this. He said Jesus takes it for granted that his disciples will observe the custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian life. Such customs have only one purpose to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.

His point fasting will help you accomplish greater things. Wesley Duel uh a writer wrote, "You and I have no more right to omit fasting because we feel no special emotional prompting than we have a right to omit prayer, Bible reading, or assembling with God's children for worship. Fasting is just as biblical and normal part of spiritual walk of obedience with God as are all the others. So in the weeks behind in the weeks ahead as we look at spiritual disciplines, fasting should be part of your arsenal.

There was actually a time in this country when fasting was something of a civic duty. In 1774, when the British Parliament ordered an embargo on the port of Boston, the legislative body of the state of Virginia called for a day of public fasting. Well, they called it a day of public humiliation or humility, prayer, and fasting. George Washington wrote in his journal that he fasted that day.

In 1798, when the United States was on the verge of war with France, John Adams proclaimed a day of solemn humiliation, prayer, and fasting. During the War of 1812, the two houses of Congress passed a joint resolution calling for a day of public humiliation, prayer, and fasting. Can you imagine the two houses of Congress doing such a thing today? During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called three times for a day of national humiliation, prayer, and fasting.

Lincoln encouraged fasting and prayer both in places of worship and in homes. These national days of fasting were aimed at petitioning for divine protection and guidance and fortifying the character of citizens for the challenge at hand and creating solidarity solidarity amongst them. Let's look at a few instances of fasting from scripture. These words are found in Nehemiah chapter 1.

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakalia in the month of Chislev in the 20th year. While I was in Souza, the capital, one of my brothers, Hani, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. This was their reply.

They replied, "The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. There's nothing like calamity to bring out fasting.

If you have difficulty in your life, many times you will turn to fasting. Here in Nehemiah, we see that fasting is used to show grief and to seek God in the midst of tough situations. There are several benefits to fasting, even beyond the spiritual. Today, lots of people fast just for physical reasons.

Here are a few tips for spiritual reasons. When fasting, every time you feel a hunger pang, reflect and or pray about your purpose. Let your fast be that ribbon that's tied around your finger, that reminder. And every time you feel hungry, instead of reaching for food, use the moment to engage with why you're fasting and to pray to God.

Also, use meal times, those times you would spend eating. Use meal times for spiritual practice. While banging around food and turning it down strengthens the will, try not to tempt yourself beyond what you can bear. Hanging out in the kitchen while cookies bake is going to make it harder for you to stick with your fast.

I'd avoid restaurants and the smell of food. If possible, stay away from where there is food and use the time you freed up by skipping meals to practice some other form of spiritual discipline. Seek solitude, pray, study, and of course, reflect on the purpose of your fast. The hunger of the stomach is designed to put us in touch with the hunger of the soul.

I read that quote about fasting and I liked it. The hunger of the stomach is designed to put us in touch with the hunger of the soul. In Matthew chapter 4, we read of Jesus fasting. And in Matthew 4, he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

I've never tried fasting for that length of time. If this discipline interests you, I suggest you start with 24 hours or even less. Fasting is way more than just not eating. It's intense prayer.

The world needs intense prayers, don't you think? Pray with me. Father, thank you for prayer, for spiritual discipline, for fasting. And that often happens when there's great difficulty.

Perhaps we could have a fast for great thanksgiving as we count the blessings you have given to us. Bless each one. Um just guide them as you would have them to go. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen. God bless. Thanks for joining me today.