How to Perform a Christian Fasting for Spiritual Benefit?

Some questions come to mind when considering Christian fasting: Should I fast? What are the proper rules? Can it truly bring spiritual benefit? To explore these questions, we need to understand the purpose and methods of spiritual fasting.

Understanding Spiritual Fasting Practices

The essence of spiritual practices, including fasting, involves going inward, stilling the mind and body to attune ourselves to the subtle currents of spiritual energy that underlie our physical and mental states. The mind and body, which are the proprietors of our consciousness, often act as obstacles to true self-realization or our true state of well-being and conscious creation. Self-realization is the ultimate state of awareness of one’s divine nature, where one overcomes the suffering caused by being trapped in the mind/body paradigm.

The Correct Approach to Fasting for Spiritual Benefit

It’s important to note that while fasting can be beneficial for spiritual growth, it is not for the sole purpose of benefiting God; it serves to make us more conscious of His will. By fasting, especially during times when our thoughts are influenced by food, we can redirect our focus towards prayer. Christian fasting is a practice that enhances our spiritual awareness and disciplines our minds and bodies for greater spiritual engagement.

Fasting for Various Purposes

Christian fasting can be practiced in a variety of ways, including abstaining from certain foods like meat, pastries, puddings, sugars, or wine, and even periods of abstinence from sexual intercourse. The primary goal is to lessen the distractions these things bring into our lives and to enhance our time spent in prayer. This can lead to deeper spiritual exploration and understanding, as well as a clearer focus on God’s will and guidance.

Positive Intention and Fasting

Applying the right intention to one's fast is crucial. Rather than viewing fasting as a means to force a change in God, it should be seen as a way to align our thoughts and actions with His will. By fasting, we can cultivate greater faith, allowing grace to be activated in our circumstances. For instance, a 30-day sugar fast can be spiritually beneficial, especially in situations where distractions like food might impede our spiritual growth. Communal fasts within the church community can serve as powerful meditative tools, focusing everyone's attention on spiritual matters and enhancing collective prayer.

The Importance of Spiritual Awareness

The key to understanding whether a fast has been effective lies in spiritual awareness. The verse in Romans 8:5 states, 'For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.' This means that those who are focused on their physical desires often lose touch with their spiritual side, while those who are spiritually minded focus on the higher aspects of life. Similarly, the verse in Romans 8:6 and 7 emphasizes that the fleshly mind is in opposition to God, while the spiritual mind brings about life and peace. Fasting can help us align our thoughts and actions with the spiritual way of thinking, where choices that may not make conventional sense can lead to divine outcomes.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Christian fasting, when performed with the right intentions and understanding, can be a valuable tool for spiritual growth. While God does not love us more or answer our prayers solely because of our fast, fasting can certainly enhance our spiritual awareness, making us more attuned to God’s will and greater spiritual illumination. May you find the spiritual enlightenment you seek through fasting or other means, and may you come to know God more intimately. Bless you!