Abiding Practice: Fast

Fast Video Transcript:

Hello Missional Community family and welcome to the Abiding Practice of Fasting. We want to articulate the why, the what, and the how of fasting, but within the context of a Missional Community. So let’s get right into why we fast as disciples of Jesus Christ: We regularly fast as disciples of Jesus Christ in order to remember that the Father is all sufficient. In Jesus’s humanity, he felt emptiness, hunger, thirst, weakness, poverty, and brokenness demonstrating the ultimate fulfillment he received from the Father.

This is the heart that we strive for as we fast. We must not let the good gifts of God dull our hearts to the greater joy of relationship with the Father. We may be tempted to shy away from fasting because of misinterpretations around Jesus’ words on fasting. The truth is that there are many reasons and means by which God’s people have engaged in fasting throughout the Scriptures and church history, and many of those recorded are communal. A right interpretation of Jesus’s teaching on fasting will lead us to see that it’s not so much about how and where, but about the heart and motivation behind your practice.

Also, the practice has become skewed to the point where it is not as simple and straightforward to define. So we want to clearly define fasting as we see it in the Scriptures: Fasting is to abstain from food while intentionally seeking the Lord in prayer, allowing hunger to steer our minds to his presence in complete dependence.

At the same time, we completely understand and empathize that it might be unwise for some to engage in a fast in this manner. Those who cannot abstain from food can still participate in the fast by abstaining from other great pleasures from the Father in order to intentionally enjoy his presence.

Either way, start small. Begin by abstaining from breakfast or lunch the first week or two. Then you can increase your length of time without food to two meals, or a whole day. Practically speaking, it also helps to break a fast slowly. Do your stomach a favor and break the fast with a cup of juice an hour before you eat. Try to steer clear of stimulants like coffee and energy drinks while on a fast, and instead drink greater amounts of water during the fast.

Now that we have a better understanding of what fasting is and how to go about it, let’s look at how we can incorporate this practice into the rhythms of a Missional Community - that is, the Family Gathering, DNA Group, and Neighborhoods to Nations.

To understand fasting in the context of the Family Gathering, let’s take a quick look at some communal fasts in the Scriptures. Two examples alone of the people of Israel fasting together occur in the book of 1 Samuel. The first instance is a call for the people to fast and repent for turning from the Lord their God. The second instance is associated with mourning the loss of Saul. We find a similar mourning fast from David in the book of 2 Samuel as he mourns the loss of his son. Another famous example is the call to Nineveh to fast as a nation and turn to the Lord to be spared from their judgment. We also find four separate accounts of the nation of Israel fasting and seeking the Lord to be saved from the threat of those desiring to overtake them.

The early church spent much of their time in prayer and fasting as they sought the Lord’s guidance. We see this explicitly in the life of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:1-3. Those present as the Lord set them apart had first set themselves apart in fasting and prayer to the Lord. And then, before sending Paul and Barnabas out, they fasted and prayed. With this in mind, we can take comfort knowing that it was a normative practice to corporately fast as a people, and also that the Father desires the intentional, directed approach a fast can bring in community.

Another great reality to a communal fast comes from the communal feast that follows. We would encourage you to break your fast within the context of your Family Gathering to spend time in prayer together and then to celebrate the gift of food together. You can also use your Family Gathering as a place to plan out what you will do during normal meal times. It is very important to have a plan for what you will do while not eating. Plan to corporately pray through similar themes, prayer requests, or needs at specific points during the day. It might also be a good idea for you to meet at a park or similar location during the lunch hour to keep your fast directed toward seeking the Lord and to curve the temptation each growl brings from your stomach.

When we think about DNA Groups, we want to think a step deeper into the waters of fasting. What are some sins and heart-level issues that we talk through on a regular basis that require deep healing in our souls? What are some prayer requests on behalf of my family that I can share in an intimate community? DNA Group is also the best place to promote accountability to stick to the fast. Share your individual plan with one another and encourage one another throughout the duration of the fast.

Finally, and of equal importance, is the need to fast on behalf of those who do not know our Lord Jesus Christ. For those of us whom the Spirit has revealed Jesus to, we know that there is no greater joy found in this world. Therefore it is our desperate plea and great joy to abstain from a gift of God so that others may share in the treasure we have in Christ. During your Family Gathering and time of planning, choose a missionary sent by Summit Crossing to pray for at some point during the day. Pray for their hearts, marriages and families as they bring the light of the gospel into the darkest places in the world. Then, after breaking your fast together over a family meal, continue to pray for the chosen missionaries and write them a quick letter letting them know that your MC is spending devoted time fasting and praying for their hearts.

Just imagine the impact that could have on them while being separated from their friends and family, and living among a completely different people group. You can also plan to spend devoted time in prayer for people that your MC is currently trying to reach with the gospel. Maybe it’s a family on your kids soccer team. Maybe it’s one of your neighbors that you are building a relationship with. Write down the person's name and have each MC Member spend 5 minutes in prayer for that person. Again, imagine the intentionality and support each of you would feel as you fasted over the salvation of souls who you interact with on a daily or weekly basis.

We are so grateful for your engagement with the Abiding Practices and are hopeful that you will grow in your joy of Christ as you engage with the means of grace found in fasting. You can use the provided fasting document to write out your group's commitment and share it with one another. So let’s enjoy the Father more as we seek him through this wonderful means of grace.