Fasting During the Lenten Season
What is fasting?
Fasting is when we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, to enhance our spirit, and to go deeper in our prayer life and relationship with God. It could be said that Christian fasting is to let God know that we are serious and to allow Him to speak to us with direction, healing, and blessing.
What is the purpose of fasting? We fast to give our heart to God. When we submit to God’s will, it puts us in the right attitude to receive from God. David said, “I humble my soul with fasting.” Psalm 35:13. We fast to receive direction from God.
When you find yourself longing for the thing you’ve given up while fasting, think about how Christ matters more to you than the thing you hunger for. Pause to pray and thank God for his love, and invite him to see your fast as an expression of your love for him. The act of self-denial for the purpose of growing closer to God will deepen your longing for and devotion to God.