Does Fasting Help Us Grow Closer To God?

Some think Fasting is an old fashioned concept.  Some think Fasting is important and still do it today.  But one important reminder: even Jesus Fasted!  So it must be important?

Isaiah 58 tells us both why fasting is important and what is required.  Some people Fast thinking it will persuade God to answer their prayers  And it may,  but only if our prayer is truly unselfish.  In Isaiah 58, it tells of some who fasted hoping God would help them “win a debate” (popular in that time) or some other equally self-centered prayer.

But it goes on to show us that Fasting must be done alongside a life lived for the Love of God and the Love of others.

Fasting is important, but it is only helpful when it is done by one who prays unselfishly, shares their food with those who are hungry and treats others with love.

For example, it is not enough to refrain from treating others badly; we must treat them with love and kindness. 

Can fasting help us grow closer to God.  Absolutely!  In fact, here are just some of God’s Promises and God Always Keeps His Promises 🙂

⁸ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

⁹ Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

¹⁰ And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day” – Isaiah 58 8-10

In order to have real meaning, Fasting must be accompanied by sincerely loving God and loving others 🙂