Fasting Is The Key To Spiritual Fervency

Fasting is often overlooked, yet it holds immense power in nurturing a fervent relationship with God.

The Bible tells us that Apostle Paul was on the island of Patmos and the islanders there were kindling the fire, but it was Paul putting the sticks into the fire to maintain it (Acts 28). Similarly, there are many times in our walk with God when a conference, book, or even a sermon is used by God to start a fire within us. However, it is then our responsibility to keep that fire kindled by adding fuel to the fire. One of the most effective ways to do this is through fasting.

What Fasting Does

1. It helps us maintain closeness to God.

In Scripture, we see that Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples were not fasting. He explained that there would come a time for fasting after His departure (Matthew 9:14-15). The early church embraced this practice, fasting regularly to maintain closeness with God. This teaches us that when you sense that your closeness with God is not where it used to be, fast. This spiritual discipline is not just for times of crisis, but as a routine practice to keep our hearts aligned and ablaze with passion for God.

2. It fights lukewarmness.

Revelation chapter 3 warns against lukewarm faith – neither hot nor cold. This verse is speaking of a church that is not fervant but not frozen either. They are in between, and the Bible says this sort of believer is not pleasing to the Lord. Fasting is a remedy to this lukewarm state, rekindling our spiritual intensity and commitment.

If your heart’s passion for God has lowered, then you need to repent.

3. It helps to recalibrate our hearts when we grow.

Financial success can sometimes lead to spiritual complacency. The Bible warns against the deception of wealth, where one can be materially rich yet spiritually impoverished. Fasting helps recalibrate our focus from material wealth to spiritual richness, reminding us to prioritize our passion for Christ above all else.

When we spend all our energy and efforts going from one social media platform to another, just wasting our time aimlessly, we are no better than the homeless people who look for scraps by going from one dumpster of trash to the next. God desires to give us the abundance of His treasures. He desires to realign our lives to Him so we don’t live unfulfilled and empty lives.

If you are a follower of Christ, but your heart is no longer on fire for Him, it’s a matter of time before you run out of things to say that convict and feed people.

Final Thoughts

Fasting is more than just abstaining from food; it’s a spiritual discipline that refuels our passion for God. I want to encourage you to begin to grow again. Instead of growing on social media, growing your business, or any other area in life, repent and ask God to help you grow the fire within you.

Begin to set a few days aside to fast and watch what will begin to happen to the fire within you.

Read: 10 Benefits of Fasting