Preparing to Fast

I struggle with fasting because I have a love hate relationship with food: I love to eat it, but I hate gaining weight. I find it easier to do intermittent fasting—a method for weight control—than to fast for spiritual growth. When we prepare for a fast, we should take certain steps. We must prepare not only our body, but also our mind, heart and soul.

InMark 7:15-23CloseMark 7:15-23 It's not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.*" Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. "Don't you understand either?" he asked. "Can't you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn't go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer." (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God's eyes.) And then he added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre.* He didn't want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn't keep it a secret. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (ESV) Jesus says, “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. ... For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

We should start with the heart.

A spiritual fast always involves a struggle within my flesh. I find it easier to fast when I take certain steps toward healing. First, I consider my heart and my intentions. Is my heart pure before God, or do I have selfish motivations? Am I trying to gain favor with God through works? Then I ask God how I should renew my mind. Fasting is not only about refraining from eating; it’s an opportunity to spend time focused exclusively on God. I ask God to renew my mind so I can receive what He has in store for me. I ask God to give me humility in my soul in preparation for His Holy Spirit to work within me  

Finally, I remember that fasting is a personal choice and discipline. It is not something for us to brag or boast about. It is an act of commitment to Jesus, a spiritual journey undertaken with Him:

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Matthew 6:17-18CloseMatthew 6:17-18 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Take these steps for a wonderful time of fasting and preparing our hearts to receive what God has for us in every new season. Meditate upon all the things He has done for us: taking our sins upon Himself on the cross and saving us from ourselves. His words are a blessing to us, and His protection is always over us.  

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.