AUGUST – FASTING
This month our practices will be broken down into three parts: a weekly fast, a daily practice, and weekly readings with reflection questions.
Fasting vs. Abstinence:
In the Bible, fasting is the practice of depriving the body of food in response to a “sacred moment” (death, sin, or difficult decisions) or as a habit to bring one closer to God. Fasting must have a purpose. Without a spiritual purpose, you are just hungry. When you stomach growls, this should trigger a reminder of why you are fasting. Whether it is a reminder to pray or meditate on Scripture, you must have a spiritual purpose for your fasting. After the fasting there is often a result that follows. One problem with fasting is when we try to “get a result” from God through our fasting. Fasting doesn’t super charge our prayers or spirituality.
Not everyone will be able to fast because of health concerns. Fasting should not be done by diabetics, children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and those who are ill or with a serious disease. If this describes you, we would encourage you to practice abstinence. Abstinence is the choice to not eat or drink specific items while still eating and drinking others.
Here are some fasting alternatives:
- Abstain from snacks
- Abstain from processed food
- Abstain from sugar
- Abstain from Electronic Entertainment ie. social media, TV, video games, etc.
Weekly Fast:
We want to challenge every member (health permitting) to participate in a weekly fast. The bible describes different types of fasts for different lengths of time. The fast we are encouraging is a “sunset to sunset” fast (24 hours). Essentially we will skip breakfast and lunch one day.
If fasting is new to you, you could work your way into the discipline of fasting
- Week 1 – 8-hr fast from breakfast to dinner, skipping lunch.
- Week 2 – 16-hr fast from dinner to lunch, skipping breakfast
- Week 3 – 20-hr fast from dinner to 3pm, skipping breakfast and lunch with a light snack at 3pm.
- Week 4 – 24-hr fast from dinner to dinner, skipping breakfast and lunch.
Daily Practice:
Start every morning and end every evening with a prayer. Begin your day by praying your relationship with God will be strengthened through the spiritual disciplines and you will feel God’s presence in your life throughout the day. End your day by reflecting on what you did throughout the day and whether it brought you closer to God.
Weekly Readings:
Week 1 (August 3-9)
Matthew 6:1-21
- Do you ever practice doing right in order to be seen by others? Why is this so dangerous?
- How can the discipline of fasting help your spiritual growth and relationship with God?
Week 2 (August 10-16)
Matthew 4:1-11; 9:14-17
- Why do you think Jesus fasted before being tempted but was not known for fasting during his ministry?
- Has your fasting prepared you for spiritual trials? Why or why not?
- When would it be appropriate to skip a fast?
Week 3 (August 17-23)
Isaiah 58:1-12
- Has your fasting helped you notice those around you who don’t have as easy access to food? Why or why not?
- Fasting is not simply about personal breakthrough. Isaiah 58:6-7 shows us it is about action as well. What call to action has the discipline of fasting lead you?
- What can you do to help the poor and oppressed in our city?
Week 4 (August 24-30)
Psalm 77
- Describe a “sacred moment” in your life when you didn’t feel like eating.
- If you haven’t established a discipline of fasting, how might it have helped during that time?
- Is this a discipline you would like to carry on beyond this month? Why or why not?
Going Deeper:
- Ask the questions from our January practices for each passage.
- Meditate on each passage being open to how you can grow closer to God day by day (May’s Practices).
- Add an additional day of fasting to your week.