Fasting and Allowing the Holy Spirit to Cultivate
The Impact of Spiritual Disciplines
This past year, our church worked through a teaching series on the Spiritual Disciplines, titled “Cultivate: Character with Spiritual Evidence.” The goal was to show the congregation that spiritual disciplines are not just another self-help program but a process inviting the Holy Spirit to till the soil of our hearts.
We wanted the congregation to understand the long-standing effectiveness of these disciplines, some of which have been practiced since the days of the early church. God used the series in an incredible way! We received loads of positive feedback week after week as we highlighted a new discipline, showing both the Biblical foundation and the benefits for their lives.
The spiritual disciplines became a grounding point and a fresh start after two years of upheaval. Personally, I had received the blessings of spiritual disciplines in the past, but witnessing our church experience these blessings together was very unifying.
My Spiritual Retreats and Discipline Practices
Each year, I take a spiritual retreat where I practice several spiritual disciplines over a long weekend. Sometimes it’s for a day or two, and other times for the entire weekend. The discipline of fasting has always been the most challenging yet the most significant during these retreats and in my walk with Jesus. I practice a couple of forms of fasting.
Fasting from Food
In the traditional sense, I spend one 24-hour day fasting from food. Having wrestled through the schedule of a 24-hour fast, I have settled on beginning between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. This gives me a full belly when I sleep. At first, I used to struggle with this schedule, thinking I was being weak by planning it this way. Then I accepted that the benefit of being able to fall asleep is significant when I’m alone and open to the enemy’s attack on my thoughts.
Fasting from Media
I also fast from media over the retreat weekend, or at least for a full day. I often book a rustic cabin that doesn’t have wifi, and even better if I have to walk up a hill to get cell service to check in with my wife each morning and evening.
If you’re new to media fasting, here’s an amazing resource to check out:
Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age
“Sociologist Felicia Wu Song has spent years considering the personal and collective dynamics of digital ecosystems. She combines psychological, neurological, and sociological insights with theological reflection to explore two major questions: What kind of people are we becoming with personal technologies in hand? And who do we really want to be?”
Amazon.ca/Restless-Devices-Felicia-Wu-Song
During my media fast, I bring my Bible, physical books, a journal, and a sketch pad instead of my iPad and MacBook. I bring my guitar to worship but allow myself some passive iPhone media in the form of worship music to play in the background while I’m cooking or relaxing. And I always bring a couple of fishing rods, for food and fun!
Fasting’s Impact on Our Congregation
Returning to the teaching series on spiritual disciplines and the congregation’s involvement, the fasting week had a significant impact. Unfortunately, fasting for spiritual reasons felt foreign to many, even though fasting for physical well-being has been popularized in culture.
Even in Christian circles, there always seems to be a leaning toward fasting for weight loss instead of fasting for a deeper connection to Jesus. So I tried my best to highlight the Biblical foundation for fasting.
“But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”'”
Matthew 4:4, ESV
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:16, ESV
Fasting Week Optional Challenges
We explored several ways in which someone could add fasting to their spiritual walk with Christ. We challenged everyone to tackle three optional exercises:
- Schedule a 12-hour fast from food this week: We gave them time to pull out their calendars right then and there in the gathering and find a 12-hour window in which they would not have to eat.
- Schedule a 24-hour fast from food this month: We suggested that they schedule a time after the Sunday gathering, potentially with a spouse or friend.
- Schedule a weekend fast from media this quarter: This challenge was to be scheduled within a conversation, to be had over lunch with their household to block out the weekend together.
If you’ve never engaged in the spiritual disciplines, and specifically never engaged in fasting, why not try at least one of these challenges? As I already stated, our congregation received all of the spiritual disciplines very well. And yet, the fasting initiative became a notable shift in the discipleship journey for a large majority.
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- What spiritual disciplines have you found most impactful in your faith journey?
- How has fasting influenced your relationship with Jesus?
- What challenges do you face when trying to incorporate fasting into your spiritual practices?
