In Zechariah 7, some folks wanted to know if they should fast at a certain time like they always did. God’s response was to ask them why they were fasting in the first place. Was it for Him or for them? That got me thinking about why I fast.
Fasting and prayer are usually linked together in the Bible and I have made the mistake of thinking that I’m supposed to fast while I’m praying soI can get what I’m praying for. What a huge mistake that is! In those cases, I’m not really fasting for the Lord, but for myself. It’s like I want God to answer my prayer, so I fast to get what I want. Instead, I should fast because I want God more than what I want from God.
If I am truly fasting because I just want more of Him and not because I want more from Him, then my heart begins to want the things He wants. My prayers will not just be about what I want, but will be more about what He wants. When my prayers are aligned with His desires, then I can be sure He will hear and answer. That’s why I fast. I want more of God. When I am closer to Him, then I want what He wants and my prayers will reflect that deeper level of intimacy.
So, why do you fast? Is it for the Lord or for yourself? No condemnation here, just a question to make you think about it a little more. Let me encourage you to fast so you can have more of God, not get more from God.
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