Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster) Chapter Four: The Discipline of Fasting

In today’s society, fasting has been made to seem like an archaic idea. We are surrounded by advertisements, commercials and media that we need to satisfy each appetite that we may have. In regards to food, we are led to believe that we must have three meals per day as the “normal”. Fasting has become something of an unknown or even a “religious” practice. Serious attempts at fasting become met by objections such as “it’s bad for your health”, or “It’s not one of God’s commandments”.

When we read through scripture, we see that many people throughout the Bible practiced fasting and witnessed to its value. Moses, David, Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah, Paul the apostle and even Jesus, among many others, all practiced fasting.

Fasting throughout the Bible refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It is not a diet or a hunger strike. It must not be performed for reasons of vanity or power, as you will be completely missing the point. Fasting must center on spiritual purposes, on God. Scripture does not command fasting, as it does not command other disciplines such as praying, and giving. Jesus did not tell us “if you fast then..” or “you must fast”, He simply said “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16).

Fasting can be performed as a private matter, between God and yourself, as well as in a corporate manner with a small group or a church. Fasting can be performed weekly, or at certain intervals throughout the year, there is no specific law. As Foster explains “There simply are no biblical laws that command regular fasting. Our freedom in the gospel, however, does not mean license; it means opportunity. Since there are no laws to bind us, we are free to fast on any day.” 

If you are looking for a more intimate walk with God, then fasting will be another practice you will want to undertake. Fasting is another way to respond to the call of Christ. We cannot shy away from more demanding calls to obedience. Dietrich Bonhoeffer tells us “cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross”. As we grow deeper in our faith and want to grow deeper with God, we must also be ready for deeper obedience. 

The purpose of fasting is to center on God. The motive must be pure and simple, growing closer to God. We cannot use fasting to try and get God to do something for us, something that we want. The blessings and benefits that come from fasting will come from God’s will, not our own. We need to keep our heart focused on God throughout the fast, focused more on Him as the Blesser, rather than on the blessing itself. 

As you go through the process of fasting, it will be revealed to you things that control you. Food itself may be the cover for things such as anger, jealousy, bitterness, fear, pride...etc. It will be easy to rationalize that we are feeling these things due to being hungry, however they are simply coming out because those are spirits within us that we must try to detox, through the healing of Jesus. Foster provides a great description of the hunger we feel in fasting, “the stomach is like a spoiled child, and a spoiled child does not need indulgence but needs discipline”. Fasting will remind us that we are not sustained simply by food, but by God. He alone sustains us and provides for us. 

Starting the year with fasting and prayer, we will allow God to rebalance us. The non essentials in life will be revealed to us, and we will be able to remove them from taking precedence in our daily lives, enslaving us to things that are not aligned with God’s will and purpose for our lives. It is a discipline that will bring us freedom.

As you fast, use the time you might normally spend eating, reading the Bible, worshiping and praying to God. 

Continue to perform your daily work and necessary routines, however inwardly remain in prayer, worship, and adoration to God.

Fasting is feasting on God’s Word.