Fasting – Cindy’s Reflections…
This discussion of personal spiritual practices is entered into with trepidation. Jesus admonishes us to do our own fasting away from the crowds and in humility. So, please note that this is not to highlight or bring attention to our “piety” or “spiritual depth.” I hope that you will instead see our own vulnerability and processes as we desire to learn how to grow closer to Jesus.
Fasting food is a common spiritual practice for many Christians around the globe, especially during the season of Lent leading up to Holy Week and Easter Sunday. While people may abstain from other things, the primary meaning of fasting from Scripture has to do with the giving up of food for a specified period of time.
Lent offers us an opportunity through forty days of preparation. It is a time to remember the path Jesus took to the cross for us. It is a time to sacrifice, pray, and reflect on his journey and our own journey of picking up a cross to follow Jesus.
This year as the season of Lent was drawing close, and after listening to a podcast about the many benefits of fasting including spiritual and physical, I discussed doing a major 14 day fast (no calories with primarily water, minerals, and herbal tea) with Rob to begin on Ash Wednesday.
Since we would be traveling from Perth to Broome, this seemed like a good time to begin the fast as we could eliminate distractions and focus on our driving. While fasting was not new to me, I had not attempted such a long fast. Rob, however, was more experienced with long fasts for physical benefits.
So, we began, together on a 14 day journey of travel and fasting caloric foods…
The physical reactions I experienced during this fast were far more severe than Rob experienced. While I had hoped to get to a place of strong clarity of mind in prayer (which I had heard others give witness to in a long fast) it did not seem possible due to my extremely weak state.
However, what I did gain in spiritual insight and graces during this time was what I needed…
· a strong awareness of the incredible passion of our Lord Jesus to endure all things and to place total trust in the Father God
· God gives special gifts of love through suffering and sacrifice. He will be there to give us endurance to face all things, as well.
· God is enough! My ultimate dependency is on God alone.
· Incredible gratitude for all that God has given us for life and peace and health. Food is not a right but an incredible gift filled with joys and delight.
· Tasting of the Lord’s goodness is very tangible when you have fasted food.
· There is a power which God gives in the linking of fasting and prayer. In Mark 9:29 and Matt. 17:21 Jesus tells the disciples that certain demons can only be expelled by prayer and fasting. Fasting is a sacrifice that strengthens our fervency and perseverance to be aligned with God’s will.
May you see God’s glory being revealed in the incredible sacrifice of the son, Jesus, this Lenten and Holy Week season.
Blessings and peace,
Cindy