Practices: Fasting

What is fasting? 

• Fasting is a deliberate interruption of normal life in response to the activity of God (Mt. 4, Acts 13).

When should we fast? 

• As a response to a sacred moment, event or calling (Mt. 4, Ex. 34).
• As a response to our own sin (Lv. 23.27-28; 1 Sam. 7).
• In response to a tragic calamity (Es. 4, Ps. 35.13).

Why should we fast? (Why not just pray?)

• Fasting is an embodied practice that engages our body and soul - a whole-person response (Joel 2.12-17).
• Fasting wakes us up to our frailty and total dependence upon God (Mt. 4.4).