Portrait Rachel: Prayer & Fasting

My husband and I start prayer and fasting for Lent today (along with so many others around the world). We are giving up desserts, and I am giving up caffeine. Yikes! We will certainly have to pray a lot to get through the next 40 days.

Have you ever fasted before? Here are some of the things I have learned over the years.

Fasting is personal.

Fasting is between us as individuals and God. There is nothing wrong with telling other people that we are fasting, but we should not do so in an attempt to make ourselves look good. Sometimes it is helpful to tell others what you are fasting in order to keep you more accountable. The key to a successful time of fasting is our attitude. We should be humble and repentant.

"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

Fasting can be from things besides food.

The range of things to fast is endless. I know people that have fasted smoking and were able to kick the addictive habit. I know others that have fasted TV. I have fasted shopping (other than for the necessities). Pray beforehand and ask God what you need to give up. He may end up asking you to make a non-food sacrifice.

Fasting is worship.

Prayer and fasting are both acts of worship. They bring us into a deeper relationship with God and develop a consistency of devotion.

Then she (Anna) lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.
~ Luke 2:37

Fasting is beneficial.