The Spiritual Rhythm of Fasting and Prayer…
Rhythms. The word suggests planned and anticipated events taking place at regular intervals in our lives. It suggest a tempo by which we live life by, that give structure and form to our future. ‘Rhythms’ suggest discipline, self-discipline, life lived on purpose and with purpose.
So what about the rhythm of Prayer and Fasting? If you are anything like me prayer sometimes occurs by accident driven by an urgent need that forces me to pray. Fasting is something that happens less regularly than I would like. I have to discipline myself to write both into my life as a part of the regular rhythm and pattern of my existence. I want them to become a part of the tempo and beat of my life, as regular and necessary to life as my heartbeat!
A glance at the life of Jesus reveals the immense value He placed on prayer. This was a regular occurrence, both planned and spontaneous. Coupled with Prayer was Fasting. The two are strongly connected and for good reason. Prayer is communion with God. Fasting reminds us of the many things in life that we depend on and think we need (like food), when the only thing we should depend on and need is God. We deprive our body so that we can feed our spirit in sweet communion with God. A well remembered example and illustration of this is Jesus’ fasting for forty days in the desert.
I believe the source of Jesus’ ability to fulfill His calling and ministry is found in His devotion to prayer and fasting. It happened often, it was intentional, it formed a pattern repeated throughout Jesus’ life, and it has not ended. Romans 8:34 states that, “Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God…and is also interceding for us.” He is always praying.
Prayer for Jesus was not just an optional activity tacked on when He had the time. It was the very essence of who He was and the very power behind how He lived.
If Jesus placed such emphasis on this should we not do the same? Should we too not grasp on to Prayer and Fasting as something we cannot exist without and as absolutely necessary to life?
I enjoyed what this article from ‘Bible Study Tools’ written by Heather Riggleman says about Prayer and Fasting. “Life in the fasting lane can be brutal, especially if you go into fasting and prayer halfheartedly. The hunger pangs rumble our stomachs and suddenly carbs are a temptingly luscious lifeline. Many of us have a mindset that we’re restricting ourselves and therefore it’s punishment.
It’s not, prayer and fasting is where physical detox meets spiritual transformation. Fasting and prayer is where you nourish your spirit, and starve your fears and anxieties. Fasting helps detach us from this world while prayer re-attaches us to God. Yet, most of us haven’t participated in this sacred discipline or we’ve heard of it only as intermittent fasting for weight loss.”
Why is something as important as Prayer and Fasting so difficult to turn it into a part of the natural rhythm of life? Is it because we need a stronger Theology of prayer, a better understanding of the value of Fasting?
I invite you to begin a journey of exploring the depths of a prayer-centred life linked to the spiritual discipline of fasting. Try this as a one-day-a-month experiment. As you discover a deeper connection with God forming, try a two or three day fast. When I do this I incorporate reading Scripture as a part of my prayer. It is difficult at first ~ I long for something to eat! Food is all I can think about. I am forced to focus more intensely on what I am reading and on the longing of my heart for God’s presence. The closeness of the Spirit in these times, and the clarity of His voice cannot be experienced in any other way. I treasure these moments.
Rhythm. Prayer and Fasting.
