Fasting

Richard Foster writes in his book A Celebration of Discipline, “In a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the Golden Arches and an assortment of Pizza Temples, fasting seems out of place, out of step with the times. In fact, fasting has been in general disrepute both in and outside the church for many years. For example, in my research I could not find a single book published on the subject of Christian fasting from 1861 to 1954, a period of nearly one hundred years.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16-18 "When you fast". It seems that Jesus is implying that this should be a part of our regular spiritual reality. I have not recieved significant teaching on this topic. It was just something that I deemed to be for the spooky and wierd people. I have to admit that fasting has not been a very regular part of my spiritual journey. When I have it has usually been more mechanical, not very focused or purposeful. I think most of us have seen it as very optional issue. The question that I'm asking myself is, "since when has obedience become optional?"

I am feeling deeply challenged in my spirit to take more serious look at fasting. Jesus warns us to not fast for external accolades or to show how spiritual we are, but out of obedience and out of our hunger for God and a hunger to see Him move.