The Importance of Fasting
Fasting is one of the most important Spiritual Tools that we have, but it is one of the most commonly neglected. Often times when we are faced with change or difficulty we pray. It is our natural reaction. Prayer is our direct line to God and His to us. Seldom though do we engage in the discipline of fasting. Jesus, Elijah, and Moses all fasted during their lifetimes.
Fasting is simply giving something up (i.e. sodas, sweets, caffeine, TV, lunchtime, social media) for a period of time while we pray and seek God’s will in our lives. We see it happen in both the Old and New Testament. The prophets, the priests, and the apostles all fasted. So why have we forgotten this essential tool in our toolbox? Frankly, it’s because it’s hard.
Like any discipline it takes a combination of many things: will power, determination, strength, and the one that is most important for us as believers, the desire to know the will of God. Change is happening all around us. God is on the move and lots of things are changing at FBC Lake Dallas, it is our responsibility to respond to what God is doing and adjust our lives to His will.
Our Response
We honor God when we fast and seek His face. It is a discipline and an act of worship that had been modeled by the greatest kings, leaders, prophets, and Christ Himself in times of change and uncertainty. Each of these God answered clearly and set them on the paths they were to go.
If you haven’t ever fasted before it is an incredible experience. As you seek God this week, ask Him if there is something that you should give up. Find our what that thing is, set a period of time to abstain, and see how God honors your commitment.
May our desire be for God to lead us to become Obsessed with the Gospel, Diligent about Discipleship, and Passionate about Evangelism. That He would make our way straight before us and lead us in the way everlasting that we might be able to Love God, Love Others, and Serve the World.