Why Fast?

For some of us, fasting may seem extreme, overwhelming, unnecessary, or just plain weird.  If you are interesting in fasting during Northview40 but feeling unsure, we'd like to offer a few thoughts...
on why we think fasting is worth the effort.  This is by no means meant to be Northview's official stance or the final word on fasting; we hope you will simply find encouragement to step out of your comfort zone and share a new experience with God.


What can this time give me?

1. Fasting can restore the loss of true affection for God and result in a more intimate and personal relationship with Him.  

2. Taking on the effort to fast may bring up doubts, fears, or feelings of boredom you have toward His ability to provide for you.  Talking with God about those thoughts and asking Him to show you the truth is a powerful part of the fasting experience.

3. We have all seen the degree of success we are capable of in our own lives; fasting can open a door for learning what God is capable of.

What is fasting and how do I do it?

Fasting is a powerful "spiritual discipline," or activity that helps us grow in our faith.  We understand praying to mean "talking with God"; fasting can be thought of as a form of physical prayer, creating an opportunity to connect with God by giving something up.  

Most of us have heard of giving up food, but a fast can include giving up anything that comes between you and God by taking up your time, energy, focus, or attention.  Perhaps giving up tv or browsing the web would open up time for you to meet with God instead.  Perhaps giving up your favorite snack would create a reminder for you to depend on God for the boost of energy or comfort you are seeking.  Through fasting, God can transform our lives in a new way as we allow Him to meet our needs.  We can give up something we would normally provide for ourselves in order to experience the way God provides it for us.
Fasting can also help intensify efforts of prayer that someone is already making. Many Christians fast for a period of time while they are praying about something that is important to them, as a way to eliminate distractions and depend on God more fully. 


Verses to consider

Luke 11:3 - "Give us each day our daily bread."

Luke 11:9-10 - "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him to knocks, the door will be opened."

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."