The Challenge of Fasting - Pastor Dave Klassen
Today’s focus is on the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of fasting, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Fasting, along with prayer and giving, forms the heart of a vibrant Christian life. While prayer and giving are commonly practiced and discussed, fasting has largely fallen by the wayside, both in our culture and in the church. Yet, Jesus places it on equal footing with the other two, assuming that his followers would fast—not as a legalistic requirement, but as a natural outflow of a life seeking God.
Fasting, at its core, is abstaining from food for a period of time, though there are variations such as partial fasts or even fasting from other things that distract us from God. The biblical examples range from Esther’s three-day absolute fast to Moses’ and Elijah’s supernatural forty-day fasts. Most often, fasting is a private matter between the believer and God, though there are times for corporate fasting in response to crisis or as a call to repentance.
The purpose of fasting is not to manipulate God or to earn answers to prayer, but to humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and surrender to His purposes. Fasting is an act of worship, a way to draw near to God, and to allow Him to purify us from sin and self-reliance. It is a means of breaking spiritual strongholds, seeking direction, and deepening our understanding of God’s Word. Fasting exposes the “real you,” bringing to the surface both physical and spiritual toxins that need to be dealt with. It is often uncomfortable, even painful, but it is in that weakness that God’s strength is made perfect.
There are also practical benefits to fasting: increased clarity, contentment, and confidence as we learn to rely on God rather than our appetites or routines. Fasting is not just about food; it can mean giving up anything that has a hold on us—technology, comfort, privacy—for the sake of drawing closer to God and serving others. The call is to approach fasting thoughtfully, with humility and openness to God’s leading, and to make it a regular part of our walk with Him, just as we do with prayer and giving.