why fast?
“On that day they will fast.” —Mark 2:20
Fasting, refraining from food, is a difficult challenge for most people. There are multiple reasons for fasting:
- Health. Fasting aids in shedding inches off a bulging waistline and cleanses our systems of toxins.
- Self-discipline. Fasting helps fight gluttony, aids in breaking bad eating habits (see Prv 23:2), and promotes moderation.
These are good reasons for fasting. Yet God wants us to fast for Him, not for our own benefit. “Was it really for Me that you fasted?” (Zec 7:5) The Lord and His Church call us to take fasting to the next level by giving us additional reasons:
- Respect. Before an important meal, we may skip breakfast or lunch, so we are not full when we dine at the big meal. Likewise, we respect and honor the Eucharist by fasting at least an hour before receiving Holy Communion.
- Making room for Jesus. We empty ourselves so as to make more room for the Lord Jesus (see Jn 3:30).
- Grieving. Jesus said His disciples would fast in His absence (Mk 2:20). When a loved one dies, it’s not proper to respond by feasting. How much more will we fast in Jesus’ absence! For example, the Church calls us to a day of fast and abstinence on Good Friday, when we recall the dying of Jesus.
- Winning spiritual and physical battles. In the Old Testament, Jehoshaphat and the Maccabees defeated enemy troops by fasting before battle (2 Chr 20:3ff; 2 Mc 13:12ff). Jesus taught that some demons and strongholds of evil cannot be driven out but by fasting and prayer (Mt 17:21, NAB).
“This…is the fasting that I wish,” says the Lord (Is 58:6). Beg Jesus for the grace to fast as He desires.
Prayer: Father, make me “hunger and thirst for holiness” (Mt 5:6).
Promise: “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” —1 Sm 15:22
Praise: Thirty-five prisoners gave their lives to Jesus at the Sunday prison service.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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