Many Christians are unfamiliar with spiritual fasting. Some believe that fasting is an Old Testament tradition neither required nor relevant to the New Testament grace under which we now live. In truth, however, fasting is a necessary though underutilized spiritual discipline that Jesus addressed right along with giving and prayer (reference Matthew 6). Fasting was never replaced, rescinded, or superseded in the New Testament, and it is not just Old Testament legalism. Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament, not to render it irrelevant. As Randy Alcorn so eloquently stated in Money, Possessions & Eternity, "Being under grace does not mean living by lower standards than the law." In fact, Jesus assumed that we believers would fast. Jesus said, "When you fast" (Matthew 6:16) not "if you fast".

The verses below emphasize that we are saved by grace, not by works. Fasting, like prayer, is a spiritual tool that believers should use not to earn righteousness but to embrace it.

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." (Galatians 2:21)

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." (Romans 14:17-18)

"But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do." (1 Corinthians 8:8)

Fasting unto the Lord goes beyond rote, superficial sacrifice of food. Fasting unto the Lord, when done with the proper heart and the proper spirit, cleaves you to the Lord; everything on earth takes a back seat to worshiping and communing with your Heavenly Father. It is about "holding fast" to Him regardless of your circumstances (reference Deuteronomy 10:20, 11:22, 13:4, 30:20; Joshua 22:5, 23:8; 2 Kings 18:6; Psalm 119:31, 139:10; 1 Peter 5:12).

In Jeremiah 14:12, the Lord proclaims, "Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry." His refusal to listen to His people was based on their continued wickedness; their superficial sacrifice meant nothing because they persisted, unrepentant, in sinful behavior. Jesus, too, warned about fasting as an empty, perfunctory ritual. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about hypocrisy and hardened hearts in Matthew 15:8-11, 18-20: "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, 'Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'. ... But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'. ..."

Only through the strength of God and His direction are we truly able to fast in a way that is acceptable and pleasing to Him. He desires that we all experience a deep, abiding relationship that only comes from Him. This intimate walk with God requires faith not fear.

Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by or fearful of fasting. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Then, listen for His still, small voice. No matter in your life is unimportant to Him, and He will guide you. First, though, you have to silence the distractions that often crowd out your time with Him and compete with His voice.

Remember that a Christian spiritual fast is not a contest; you need not compare yourself or your experience to another. It's not the number of days that you fast or even the number of meals that you fast that matters; the Lord honors the act of humbling yourself in true repentance. He wants your heart, not your stomach!

Our faithful God will prepare you for the task that you have been called to. You have been chosen to be in an intimate relationship with Him. This time of feasting on the Word of God is meant to draw you to the feet of Jesus and there you will find the peace that passes understanding.

There is no reason to fear when God is leading, especially when that path leads you out of the darkness and uncertainty of this earthly life and directs you to His very presence and into the embrace of His awesome love. We should not fear this path, but anticipate it with joy and longing for every moment we have to spend with our most gracious Heavenly Father.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9)

"Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:5)