WHY WE FAST
DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH INTENTIONAL FOCUS
The goal of fasting is to draw near to God.
It hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out.
Fasting enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God. It prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.
When deciding on a fast, we encourage you to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Scripture References
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 9:14-15 (NIV)
Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."
Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."
Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable… "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable… "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Acts 27:33-37 (NIV)
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat… After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat… After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Nehemiah 9:1-3 (NIV)
The Israelites gathered together, fasting… They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.
The Israelites gathered together, fasting… They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.
The timing of your fast is not as important as the strength of your focus on God as you fast.