We Fast to Feast

Fasting to Feast
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that
day. - Jesus in Mark 2:20

“The Bible defines fasting as a Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.” 
- Donald Whitney

Fasting ought to be purposeful. We are not merely abstaining for the sake of abstaining, but are refraining
from the good gift of food or other desire for a planned amount of time in order to feast more on the Living Jesus.

Fasting, nor any spiritual discipline earns us favor, love or right standing with God. Only Jesus does this!
Jesus is our righteousness, holiness, sanctification and due to His finished work for us alone, we are
forever reconciled to God as sons and daughters. It is in light of His finished work and for greater
intimacy with Him that we fast.
9 BIBLICAL REASONS TO FAST FROM DONALD WHITNEY
      1. To Strengthen Prayer
        1. “Lord, teach us to pray." - Luke 11:1-4
        2. “Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
      2. To Seek God’s Guidance
        1. Personal
        2. Immediate Family
        3. Church Family
      3. To Express Grief
        1. The loss of a loved one (2 Samuel 12:16)
        2. National tragedy (Judges 20:26)
        3. Indwelling sin
        4. Non-sinful suffering (depression, sickness)
      4. To Seek Deliverance or Protection
      5. To Express Repentance and Return to God
        1. Pray Psalm 51 while fasting if struggling with a repetitive sin
        2. Confess in community
      6. To Humble Oneself Before God
      7. To Express Concern for the Work of God
        1. Pray for God’s work in our community and city
        2. Pray the Spirit makes every spiritually dead heart alive in Christ at VBS
        3. Pray that families who come for the first time would return Sunday and get plugged into
        4. discipleship at RHC
        5. Pray for RHC volunteers. That we would serve others out of the love of Christ and empowered by the Spirit
      8. To Overcome Temptation and Dedicate Yourself to God
      9. To Express Love and Worship to God
        1. Fasting can remind us of what is preeminent in life - Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.