For most of my life, I have had a hard time wrapping my head around the whole concept of fasting as a religious practice.  

It had been explained to me at length, but I never reaped the benefits that others would talk about. 

I would hear results like – “It gave me such insight!” or, “ My relationship with God grew to such a deeper level.” Or even, “ I would hear the Holy Spirit speak more.”

Huh? I had never had this experience before. But then again, had I ever truly followed the practice as it was meant to be practiced?

(I think we all know the answer. Sigh.)

And let me add that fasting seemed very “spiritual”, which I never really thought myself to be. Yes, I read my Bible every day because I believe that every answer needed is there. I mean, they don’t call it the Book of Life for nothing. For everything you experience in life, you can find what you need in Scripture (but that’s another topic for another day, I digress).

As we approached the new year, the topic of fasting came up in church. Twenty-one churches in our area were participating in a 21-day fast. Of course, at first, I got all in my head about this. 

What am I going to choose?

What if I don’t pick the right fast?  

Why bother? I’ve never had any revelation in the past before!

And If I am REALLY being honest, I used to treat fasting as the book of Isaiah (58:6) described:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

In other words, it was a religious practice I participated in, but that was simply all. 

I wanted this year to be different. 

So I started to research how and why others in the Bible fasted, and many verses came up that all had sounded much like –

 “we fasted and petitioned our God.” 

As I sat and thought more on this, I remembered that Moses wrote the Ten Commandments after a time of fasting. He heard the voice of God.  

And Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights, still resisting temptation from the god of this world. 

After putting all of putting all of the pieces together, understanding came. 

Fasting is meant to remove something from your life to make more room for God and to hear the Holy Spirit in your heart. When fasting, you will find yourself wanting that “thing”, be it food, TV, social media, or a drink. When that urge arises, you go to God rather than that “thing” that pulls you away from him. 

You then spend that time in prayer, reading Scripture, or communing with Him in a meaningful way. The point is that you seek Him. 

This is what I completely missed the boat on before. I had no problem removing something from my life, but I didn’t use that time communing with God as I should.  

I laughed at myself and thought, “Seriously, Koriann. How can you expect to gain anything from God if you don’t spend the time with Him?” 

(Deep Sigh – again!)

Can I tell you how much I wish I would have had the gumption to seek the wisdom of fasting sooner in my life, and do so as it is meant to be done? I will tell you that I finally experienced what everyone talks about. Imagine that! It’s crazy when you follow a practice how the Bible says to and it works! 

Look, God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to seek Him. The unfortunate part is that we get so consumed with our worldly life, that we forget we are only here for the blink of an eye compared to where we are spending eternity. 

As Romans 12:2 puts it –

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will. 

Simply put, fasting, is a way to renew your mind and align with God’s will. It’s a way to hear the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. 

I do hope that this sheds some light on fasting, and I also hope that it won’t be seen as just a practice, but a promise. A promise that when you take part in it, your eyes will see and your ears will hear all the peace, joy, love, mercy, and grace God will give you when you spend more time communing with Him.