Some people fast during different church seasons, such as Lent. Others fast when struggling with challenges or to repent from sin. There are many biblical reasons for fasting. For example, the Israelites fasted for success in battle. King David fasted and prayed for God to spare his sick son. Jesus fasted after His baptism when He was tempted by the devil in the desert. You may identify with some of these reasons for fasting, or you might have your own. Today’s post outlines additional reasons for fasting for you to consider.

"Ten Reasons for Fasting" by Hal White

One of the best gifts my parents gave me for my birthday was a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass is a boy’s dream come true. I could do so many things with this magnifying glass, and the main feature was the ability to enlarge anything I wanted to see (and burn a few leaves).

When I held the magnifying glass up to an object, I could see details that I couldn’t possibly see with normal vision. For me, one of the benefits of fasting is that it allows you to see God in a much closer way. It doesn’t make Him any bigger than He already is but it enlarges your view, allowing you to see things about Him that you might not normally see.

After participating in a number of fasts, I believe these are the most compelling reasons to fast:

1. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition.
2. Fasting helps form a separation between what you want and what you need.
3. Fasting stirs a hunger in your spirit that goes deeper than temporary hunger for food.
4. Assignments are revealed through fasting.
5. Fasting prepares you for what is ahead.
6. Fasting requires faith.
7. There is usually a spiritual objective to be accomplished.
8. Fasting can restore the loss of the “first love” and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
9. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.
10. Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your life.

In Matthew 6 Jesus says, “When you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are fasting. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are fasting, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”

Fasting possesses great power. If practiced with the right intention, it creates an intimacy with God and definitely allows you to see Him in a closer way.