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Fasting is a topic that many believers shy away from because it is very difficult to give up something. In a culture where we are constantly bombarded with things that appeal to our every need and desire, denying the body can be a powerful way to center our lives back on prayer. Not only does fasting help you hear God’s voice more clearly, it also helps you develop a habit of prayer that lasts long after the fast is over.
Before you try your first fast, there are a few things to consider as you prepare your mind, heart, and body.
Think about why you want to fast.
There are many reasons to fast, and I have fasted for many different reasons in different seasons of my life. Sometimes it’s because you want to see breakthroughs in areas of your life. In other seasons, it was because I wanted some direction or clarity from the Lord in certain areas of my life. Other times, I simply wanted to hear God’s voice more clearly. It can be helpful to decide in advance why you want to fast. It may also be helpful to spend a few weeks journaling and praying about your “why.” Fasting can be both mentally and physically challenging, so it’s important to have a goal in mind to avoid giving up.
Understand what fasting can and cannot do.
Let me be honest for a moment. Fasting is not a panacea. Sometimes the situation does not change even after a long fast. What you were praying for has not been resolved, or the direction you are seeking remains unclear. Your circumstances may not change, but fasting brings us to a place where we can experience God. It helps us keep our hearts open to seeking the Lord and listening to His voice. In that space of listening to the Word of the Lord, we can experience a kind of peace that overflows into our circumstances. It is in the moments of true communion with the Lord that we grow spiritually.
Decide what and when to fast.
Some people resist fasting because they cannot do so for medical reasons. However, spiritual fasting does not necessarily mean giving up food. Spiritual fasting is essentially giving up something and using the vacuum left to focus on God. The most common thing to fast for is food, but other things may include television, social media, or something as simple as candy. It has to be something that is regularly present in your life and you notice it disappear before you know it.
It also helps to have a plan for when you go too fast. Is this a one week fast or a one month fast? Are you planning on fasting one meal a day? Is it just around lunch time? It’s better to plan ahead instead of relying on your feelings, as it can make you want to give up. It may also be helpful to let your close family members know that you plan on fasting to help you succeed. If your spouse cooks your favorite meals on the days you’re fasting, you’re much more likely to break your fast.
Pray when you lose something that is yours.
Whether you choose to cut out food or something else, you’re probably going to miss out on “something” throughout the day. The benefit of cutting out food is that your body naturally sends hunger cues. That feeling of hunger may be a reminder to pray. In addition to intentionally setting aside time for worship and prayer, times like when you feel hungry or have the urge to log on to social media can serve as reminders to go to the Lord in prayer instead.
write down what you hear or experience
During the fast, the Lord may begin to reveal some things that were previously hidden. Maybe God will remind you how addicted you were to your phone. Or God may reveal new aspects of a situation that you had not considered before. Maybe you don’t hear God’s voice as much as you feel His presence in moments of worship. Write down what you are experiencing. Sometimes the most impactful season in our walk with the Lord begins with a fast. It can be very encouraging to look back over the year and remember what the Lord did and said during our fast.
Does the Lord require you to fast? If He does, I pray that you will respond in obedience, surrendering in your heart to what He wants. For additional support and resources on fasting, check out the Fasting Series on the Hear from God Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-does-fasting-help-us-hear-from-god-fasting-day-1/id1615623952?i=1000569515637
Photo credit: GettyImages/Uladzimir Zuyeu
Rachel Grohl is a missionary, podcaster, and author of She Hears: Learning to Listen to Jesus. You can hear more of her story on our daily Bible study podcast, “Hearing the Voice of Jesus,” and read her content at SHEHEARS.ORG.
This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit:
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