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Fasting is an important spiritual tool that the Bible teaches us to do in both the Old and the New Testament. Fasting is giving up or denying ourselves certain things for a length of time while spending more time reading the Word of God, praying and talking to Him, and getting to know more about Him which is a chance to grow in Him.

We can Fast to ask God for intervention on behalf of a sick family member as David did in Samuel (12:15-17). We can Fast for revival in our church and in ourselves, we can fast for spiritual growth, we can Fast to seek God’s will in important decision making, we can Fast for someone’s salvation or someone’s addiction (Isaiah 56:3-7), we can Fast for the Lord to heal our grief, we can Fast to loosen the bonds of wickedness and let the oppressed go free (Isaiah 58:3-78) Fasting brings humility and draws us closer to the Lord.

What do we Fast or give up? Some give up certain meals, 1 to 3 daily for a length of time, others certain foods or beverages. Others may give up activities such as access to media, (internet, television, e-mails, cell phone, or even radio for a day or a few days.)

Fasting should be done quietly and not in a boastful manner as the Pharisees did (Luke 18: 1-2). It is the Lord’s desire for us to Fast and He said “when you Fast” not “if you Fast” (Matthew 6: 16-17). Fasting shows God that we care more about Him than earthly things and that we are serious in desiring Him more.

We do a churchwide fast at the beginning of the new year, but fasting can be done at any time.