Importance of Family Fasting

 Growing up in a “Christian family”, I was exposed to fasting early in life. I did not always enjoy it though. There were times some of my siblings and I secretly ate our food before the “official” time for breaking the fast. Now as an adult, I have come to appreciate the importance of this spiritual discipline. The normal Biblical fast involves abstaining from all forms of food, but not from water. It commonly lasts from sunrise to sunset. It is noteworthy that some Christians also use the word “fast” when abstaining from pleasures besides food, like Television, internet or, for married couples, sex.

 Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament. It is important that we should fast in line with God’s word. We should not try to use at as something that gives us any merit with God because we are clothed in His righteousness alone. We should not also try to use fasting to portray ourselves as pious before people. The Lord said that our fasting should be in secret, known only to God (Mathew 6:8). Fasting is a Biblical way to humble ourselves before God, allowing His Spirit to reveal our true spiritual condition. This should result in brokenness, repentance and a transformed life.

Having understood the importance of fasting as a spiritual discipline, we will now attempt to zero it down to the family level. When a family combines prayer and fasting, along with Scripture reading, it allows God to move in a powerful way. This can also help the family to realign its priorities by replacing time spent preparing meals and eating with devotion to God. The following steps could serve as a guide in getting the family to embrace this discipline:

i. Set your objective – Why are you fasting?
ii. Make your commitment by first praying about what you should fast for.
iii. Prepare the entire family spiritually for it.
iv. Prepare the family physically.
v. Make a schedule.
vi. Prepare to spend more time in God’s word.
vii. End the fast gradually.
viii. Expect results.