The Discipline of Fasting

Series is a book review and study of Richard Foster’s Book, Celebration of Discipline. All quotes from the book are Foster unless otherwise denoted. 

After celebrating the resurrected Jesus on Sunday morning, many people began indulging in the items they fasted from for the season of lent – resuming whatever they had been withholding for those 40 days without a second thought. I know in the past when I have given up “x” I have longed for the day when I could (let’s just throw this out there) stuff my face with the yummy goodness that is Chick-Fil-A once again. And while mostly in the past for me (and countless others) this was reintroducing desserts or candy of some nature, the occasional foul language, some form of social media, or even entire food groups, most of the things people “give up” are not truly evil on their own, but merely something that in excess what taking precedent in their lives. But perhaps if we (myself included) are more honest with ourselves, sometimes our motives are less than Christ centered, and more self-centered on how good we can be or dare I say, what can benefit us the most, when we pick and chose the items we fast from. How convenient is is when Spring Break lies after Easter rather than before and my dieting, I mean fasting, can seemingly be dual purposed. Fasting has, somehow, all too often become a public event focused on us and how strong-willed we are to abstain, rather than a private or corporate matter focused on the One who sustains us…

 

The central idea in fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. You see, the second half of that statement is the key. Just as in meditation we are to empty ourselves so that we may be filled with His truth and guidance, with fasting we are forgo something in order to persist in growing closer to who Jesus is.

 

Fasting has been in general disrepute both in and out of the church for many years, yet there are two things that account for the total disregard of fasting in today’s world; Fasting was subjected to the most rigid regulations and practiced with extreme self mortification and flagellation in the early years of the church. Because of this it was often thought of that one might never succeed in proper fasting. As a counter, and this is especially true today, society holds strong to the belief that we must always be full. Our bellies should be full of food. Our houses full of furniture. Our closets full of clothes. We should have in our possession the most that we can have, not the least.  What would it look like if we broke from the chains of “fullness” and learned to live off only what we need? As Foster suggests, “we should discover times to fast from our gluttonous consumer culture that we find so comfortable”.

 

So what does scripture tell us about fasting? Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes. Fasting is done in order to focus on prayer (as so often we see “fasting & praying” together,) center in relationship with Christ, and remember that He can fully satisfy and sustain us. He alone is sufficient. Often we think only of fasting as abstaining from one thing or another (generally food) but more importantly than what we give up is what we are pouring in as it’s “replacement”. Scripture is filled with examples, not least Jesus himself, who actively participated in the discipline of fasting. The bible also makes mention of different types of fasting than our common go to:

 

In most cases fasting is a private manner, but in some cases it can be public or corporate manner as was in the early church. We will learn more of this when we dive into the outward disciplines, but it is worth touching on now as we most often fast alone, and in secret, and equally as an entire church or group. The discipline of solitude and the discipline of community go hand in hand. Much as with prayer, until we have learned to be alone, we cannot be with people in a way that will help them, for we will bring to that relationship our own scatteredness. 

 

Over the years, it is always quite a challenge for me to commit to giving up something up something for Lent. I did not grow up in this practice, and it wasn’t until college I really even began to attempt to participate. And yet, I struggle the most with this discipline. I am very determined and the single acting of abstaining from something is, for me, nothing without the addition of something else.  Especially when it comes to food. For too long I was too good at going without that in all reality my mind shifts to the external benefits rather than the internal need for the bread of life to fill me. But the beauty of fasting is that the goal is to loosen the grips of control of the items, activities, etc. that have a hold over us so that our Savior can reign. More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us (food, social media, television, sleep, exercise, literature, work, etc…). Our freedom in the gospel, however, does not mean licence; it means opportunity. It means that what I choose to fast from may be very different than what you choose. Foster mentions “watchings” which refer to abstaining from sleep in order to attend to prayer or other spiritual duties. This means that, even the things we need – like sleep. like food. – are still to be secondary to Christ. It means that He knew that in our uniqueness, He would need to speak to our sins, our struggles, and our failures in very different ways, and that we are all worthy of His redemptive grace.

 

It is as if there is an almost unconscious assumption that giving, praying, and fasting are all part of Christian devotion – it is expected, not a commandment. While Jesus says “when you fast” not if you fast (Matt 6:16-18), there is also time for fasting (Matt 9:15, Acts 13:2) and again it should be bathed in prayer. Perhaps in our affluent society fasting involves a far larger sacrifice than the giving of money, or forgoing a meal. Perhaps it means stepping away from technology and being in community with others and with Christ, without a DVD to watch, being vulnerable and real with one another and “giving up” our masks of perfection. 

 

Fasting helps us keep our balance in life. How easily we begin to allow non-essentials to take precedence in our lives? Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained. To use good things to our own ends is always the sign of false religion. If our fasting is not unto God we have failed. To spend time in prayer- other issues will come out too Good does not sustain us; God sustains us (Matt 4:4). We are sustained and nourished by the power of God – not abstaining from food, feasting on the Word of God.

 

So how does one begin to practice the discipline of fasting? Foster suggests to begin with a partial fast of 24 hours duration. Outwardly you will be performing the regular duties of your day, but inwardly you will be in prayer and adoration. In song and worship.  Progress after 2-3 weeks to a normal fast of 24 hours duration. In many ways the stomach is like a spoiled child – “and a spoiled child does not need indulgence but needs discipline”. As a reminder, the only ones who should know you are fasting are those who have to know. 

It is then we begin the progression from the superficial aspects of fasting toward the deeper rewards it offers.

 

Although the physical aspects of fasting intrigue us, we must never forget that major work of spiritual fasting is in the realm of the spirit. Prayer and fasting must be intricately bound together. Lest we forget, the Kingdom of God is ultimately about “righteousness and peace and joy in the holy spirit” (Rom 14:17). Disciplines of the spiritual life are the means by which we place ourselves where He can bless us & where we can grow in grace – not as a to do list to check off.

 

 

To recap all of the spiritual disciplines from Foster’s book, check out the full series: Celebrating the Spiritual Disciplines