On February 24th, I will be fasting for 24 hours from all food and drinking water only. 

But why?

I find myself asking this because, quite simply, I love food. 

Yet, God keeps placing the theme of fasting in my Bible reading and prayers. And, in this season of Lent, fasting is a common topic with many Christians deciding on something to “give up” for 40 days. In fact, in 2018, I published a small devotional on fasting from bread, that you can find on Amazon by clicking here. 

But God is leading me somewhere else on this theme of fasting. He does not want me to abstain from bread for a week. He does not want me to give up social media for Lent. 

Instead, He wants me to fast for 24 hours with zero food. And, I think that if you found your way to this post, He might want you to do it, too.

But again, why?

As I have studied over the last few weeks, three major reasons of why I need to complete a 24 hour fast have come to the forefront:

1. We Fast to Humble Ourselves

Fasting, as mentioned in Psalm 35:13, is a way to show humility and get closer to God. This verse shows David using fasting as a way to sincerely ask for God’s help and guidance, especially when we’re facing tough times. Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals; it’s a meaningful act of giving up something to show that we’re relying on God’s strength, not just our own. It’s a reminder that we need God in our lives, and by humbling ourselves through fasting, we can build a stronger relationship with Him. We make the decision to put aside our pride and acknowledge that He is God and we are not.

2. We Fast Before Major Decisions or Events 

In Acts 13:2 and Acts 14:23, fasting is depicted as a vital practice before making major decisions or ahead of significant events. In Acts 13:2, as the church at Antioch was worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit instructed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a specific mission. Fasting was part of their preparation and seeking God’s guidance for important decisions regarding their ministry. 

Similarly, Acts 14:23 describes how Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed before appointing elders in each church, showing their reliance on God’s wisdom in leadership decisions. 

These verses showcase fasting as an intentional act of seeking God’s will and blessing before taking significant actions. It is asking for divine direction and support in decision-making and/or discernment for what lies ahead!

3. We Fast to Strengthen Our Prayer Life

In the story of Ezra 8:23, we see how fasting deepens and strengthens our prayer life. Ezra and the Israelites were about to embark on a dangerous journey back to Jerusalem. Recognizing their vulnerability and need for divine protection, they decided to fast and pray. 

Fasting, in this context, served as a powerful tool to enhance their prayers. 

When we fast, our prayers can take on a new depth and intensity. Fasting strips away distractions, focusing our hearts and minds entirely on God. It’s a physical expression of our spiritual desire for God. 

Join Me?

It’s clear, fasting is more than just not eating for a day, it is an experience, modeled to us by David, Paul, Ezra, Esther, Jesus, and more. 

I need to humble my heart, there are some major events coming up in the lives of people I love, and I am always striving to strengthen my prayer life.

If you find yourself needing to be humbled, or have a major decision/event coming up in your life, or need to strengthen your prayer life, join me.  We can strive, or in this case fast, together.

During the 24 hours of fasting, I would like to send text messages of encouragement and scripture to your phone! To opt in to these updates please text @fastwithkm to 81010 or click THIS LINK

Disclaimer: I am not a health professional, and one’s health should always be considered before any type of fasting is pursued. This fast will include zero food and with water as the only intake for 24 hours. If you struggle with eating disorders or nutritional issues, speaking to your doctor is recommended before participating.