Fasting: An Essential Element of a Local Church’s Culture
I have recently been convicted that there are spiritual disciplines that we would do well to revive and revisit, which we often pay little or no attention to, both publicly in our local churches, and privately in our homes. One of those spiritual disciplines is the practice of fasting. As I have been reading, thinking, and talking about this subject I am picking up on two truths that are worth considering. I believe these two truths are worth visiting for inspiration and encouragement. I am convicted of the need of and interested in seeing growth in the spiritual discipline of fasting, personally and corporately for a couple of reasons that I would also like to lay out briefly.
Two Truths – Two Reasons
I would like to briefly outline two truths that relate to the practice of fasting, and two reasons why I am convinced fasting ought to be a central part of a local church’s culture.
Truth One:
The first truth that seems clear yet passed over comes from Scripture. The passage in mind is found in Matthew chapter six. Three ideas are assumed by Christ which he then expounds upon. One, Christians will give to the poor (V2), two, Christians will be given to prayer (V5), and three, Christians will be given to fasting (V16). The first truth is that Scripture, specifically Christ himself assumes that we will fast as part of our faith in practice. I had never really stopped to think about that before, but it is right there in plain sight. For me, this is one of those moments when Scripture is challenging me to do something differently than I had before. In the past I have fasted occasionally, yet I never saw it as something I should do consistently. There seems to be no reason why it should be any less part of a Christian’s life than giving or prayer according to Chris in this passage. So, I come to this text looking to be challenged, and indeed my current practice is being challenged from the perspective that I have not seen fasting as a constant and continued spiritual discipline, and I want to repent and grow in this practice.
Truth Two:
The second truth is that church history testifies to the importance of fasting. One particular area of church history that I have been interested in recently is Baptist history. I find myself a young preacher who with every passing month is more convinced that theologically I align on every major point of Baptist theology, from soteriology and baptism to church polity, even though I have been greatly influenced by Presbyterian and Anglican theologians. What I have found is numerous examples of prayer and fasting being essential in faith in practice in the writings of Baptist preachers of old. Specific examples concern the process of ordaining elders and deacons, as well as calling a pastor to a local church. In my own experience, this has been a practice that has been neglected and it seems fitting to revive such a practice.
The following is an excerpt from the 17th century Baptist minister Benjamin Keach’s work called The Glory of a True Church, published in London in 1697. Keach writes, “A Church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a Pastor, Elder or Elders, and Deacons, (we reading of no other Officers, or Offices abiding in the Church) …and after in a day of solemn prayer and fasting, that they have elected them, (whether Pastor or Deacons) and they accepting the Office, must be ordained with prayer and laying on of hands…” Another example is provided in the work of the 18th century Baptist minister, Benjamin Griffith who migrated to America in 1710. Griffith, in his work titled A Short Treatise Concerning a True and Orderly Gospel Church, published in Philadelphia in 1743, wrote, “After having taken all due care to choose one for the work of the ministry…by setting apart a day of fasting and prayer, Acts 13:2-3, the whole church being present, he is to have the hands of the presbytery of that church…laid upon him.” Here we see very early examples in Baptist history of how fasting and prayer were employed in the occasion of ordaining elders and deacons. Personally, I think they had it right to approach such serious work by first covering it in prayer and attending it with a day of fasting to intentionally draw near to Christ in selecting local leaders and servants who will minister to the bride of Christ. There are many other examples from church history more broadly, yet these two brief examples are consistent with what I have found elsewhere. As it is right for the local church to learn from Scripture, it is right for the local church to learn from church history as well. In times of greater persecution, there has often been greater doctrinal clarity, and in our current time we can and ought to be taught and encouraged by the faithful witnesses who have gone before us.
Two Reasons:
Why should fasting become a central element of the local church’s culture?
Reason One:
For one, fasting is clearly communicated as a spiritual discipline that is relevant to and expected of followers of Christ. To see fasting as simply and optional element or an accessory to the Christian life is to miss the clear teaching of Scripture that just as prayer and giving are ongoing disciplines, so too is fasting. The goal of every Christian is to love the Word, and obey the Word, and to allow it to question and teach us so that our minds will continue to be renewed, and our worship will be in truth. Worship is an act of understanding. And an understanding of who God is and how we are to relate to Him comes from the His Word. I believe fasting can be a true form of worship because it is rooted in obedience through application, applying what we find in His Word. Faithfulness to the Word of God ought to be the center of every local church’s culture, which in turn produces true worship.
Reason Two:
Fasting is a beautiful time of drawing near to God in our weakness. Sometimes we are propped up by our material comforts, and only when they are removed can we see who we really are. Like a tea bag is placed in hot water, the heat releases what is naturally inside. In fasting we remove some of the comforts that prop us up, and we come to God in our weakness expecting to find and enjoy His strength. As one of my very good friends put it, “Giving up food is not a sacrifice but an exchange! -The small step of faith in foregoing a few loaves and fish is met with God’s multiplied faithfulness, and the reward is Him!” – Jonathan Kittle
We don’t fast to earn God’s favor, we fast to gain clarity and perspective. Much like we pray, not to manipulate God, but to gain clarity and perspective through adoration and supplication, in fasting we gain an opportunity to focus our adoration and mindful dependence. Christ is concerned with whether or not we are daily coming to Him, dependent upon Him for our contentment, and strength. A local church who has fasting as a central cultural element will be a church that has a mindful unity in dependence upon Christ. I truly believe this, and I look forward to seeing how Christ teaches and grows me in this area, and to seeing how you my friends are also growing in this sweetness with Christ. God bless!
Rob