We must depend and have faith in God when we do something bigger and greater than ourselves.
Take time for focused prayer through fasting. Check with your doctor before you fast from food. If, you are unable to fast meals . . . fast from a daily activity . . . something that is important to you.
Pray about fasting. The discipline of fasting must be God-driven in order to accomplish the purposes of God by fasting. The thing is . . . fasting brings us closer to the heart of God, produces clarity, releases oppression and/or depression, and opens the door to the power of God in prayer. The signal of hunger alerts us to the need to draw closer to God in prayer.
It does take discipline to refuse to give into hunger pains. In the book, Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster describes ways to fast:
1. Normal Fast: Abstain from food and drinks but not water. Skip three meals. Drink plenty of water. (See Luke 4:2).
2. Partial Fast: Restrict part of a your diet. Skip two meals and drink juice. (See Daniel 10:3)
3. Absolute Fast : Abstain from food and drink for a period of time. Some fast three to seven days. (See Esther 4:16)
4. Biblical Fast extends for several days and is restricted to drinking only water, which has been known to last up to 40 days.
Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, 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 men 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 6:16-18
Note: Jesus said “when” not “if.”
Consider setting regular times to fast and pray from 10-10-10 through 5-19-11. The discipline of fasting provides an opportunity to focus more on God. The hunger alarm becomes a signal to draw closer to God. Fasting is a way to experience a deeper place with God. And, in the end we are more balanced and focused. We fast for the purpose of God not for self.