As Christian men, we often juggle many roles — husbands, fathers, handymen, friends, sons, employees, brothers, and leaders in our communities. Most of us can admit to being physically exhausted at times from the workload. But in the busyness of life, we can also become spiritually drained.
We’ve all been there, so we all must be asking the question: how can we regain our focus on who we are as men of God?
One answer we recommend at Man in the Mirror is Fasting and Prayer.
Some of you may come from a background where fasting was not the norm — or worse, you were told it’s a bad or unnecessary thing. Others of you may just not want to skip a meal! What we want to say is simply that fasting is a godly way for a man to focus his mind and heart on God. It is a discipline, and we are better men when we are men of discipline.
Reclaiming Focus
What is the purpose of fasting? Well, first of all, it is not intended as a weight-loss regimen! The focus of fasting is not the body, but the soul.
Fasting is a means of obtaining spiritual renewal and resolve. Ironically, fasting does this by making us feel weak and needy. To be hungry is to be humble. To know hunger and thirst is to be reminded of what true hunger and thirst for righteousness means.
Fasting appears many times in the Bible. Daniel fasted, as did Moses. Esther instructed her people to hold a fast. Indeed, Jesus – God Himself – fasted for 40 days and 40 nights after being baptized by John.
It is not that food is bad for you spiritually. Food is necessary for our lives, as are many of the things we like that occupy our time and thoughts – our jobs, our responsibilities, our families, and even our recreation. But when we give up even good things to focus on God, we discipline our minds and bodies and enable our love of God to become the primary focus of our thoughts and actions.
Once you commit to a fast, it sharpens your mind, eliminating distractions in a world filled with noise and constant demands. Your goal when fasting is to turn down the volume of the world and turn up the voice of God. As you deny yourself, your mind shifts from earthly things to heavenly things. Whether you’re facing big decisions or just seeking direction, fasting helps sharpen your spiritual senses, allowing you to discern God’s will for your life.
Breaking Chains
Another incredible benefit of fasting is that it has the power to break spiritual strongholds. We all face struggles — temptations, habits, fears — that hold us back from becoming the men God has called us to be. Fasting and prayer was always used in the Bible during times of high stress.
The intimacy with God that develops during fasting is unlike anything else. In these moments of surrender, when we’re weak in the flesh, we become strong in the spirit. You’ll find that when you quiet your body’s hunger, your spirit becomes more attuned to the presence of God. Prayer during fasting isn’t just a to-do item; it becomes a lifeline.
When you pray during your fast, you open yourself to experiencing a more profound sense of God’s presence — specifically because you are before God in a posture of humility. The experience reminds us how dependent we are on God. When we feel those hunger pangs in the midst of lifting our minds and hearts to God, we are reminded that our bodies are not as self-sufficient as we sometimes think, and neither are our spirits. We need God every day, for every breath, for every decision, and in every aspect of our lives, to provide us with spiritual nourishment. Fasting humbles us, making us realize that, as Jesus told us in John 15:5, we can do nothing apart from God.
This humility is crucial for spiritual growth; it teaches you to trust Him more fully. Fasting and prayer, together, are a spiritual reset button. Whether to gain clarity, break through a spiritual wall, obtain guidance, or draw nearer to God, fasting can focus your mind and spirit on what really matters.
Start with One Meal and See What Happens
If you haven’t yet made fasting and prayer a part of your walk with Christ, we encourage you to start. Don’t worry — you can start small. Pick one meal a month or even once a week to spend time in prayer during the time you would normally have been eating. Spend that time in quiet solitude, using Bible verses or other spiritual works as starting points for prayer and meditation. You may then work to extend that time to a whole day, or even several days — perhaps when you are struggling with a difficult decision or situation — where you limit your intake to water and perhaps a piece of toast.* Don’t advertise what you are doing. This is a discipline between you and God.
Man in the Mirror CEO Brett Clemmer found out at his grandmother’s funeral that she had fasted every Monday for most of her adult life! She spent that time praying for her family and her church, along with many other things. Almost nobody knew about it. “My grandmother was probably the godliest woman I have ever known,” said Brett. “I guess it wasn’t really a surprise to find out that fasting and praying was a regular part of her spiritual life.”
A fasting and prayer routine may seem odd at first, but you will be amazed at how it can transform your perspective and realign your life. You may even become eager to extend or repeat the practice of fasting more often.
Our prayer for you is that the Lord would speak to your heart and mind as you intentionally forego food and spend that time talking to Him.
*Here’s the disclaimer: If you have a medical condition or take prescriptions, consult with your doctor first. There is considerable literature supporting the health benefits of fasting, but your doctor may have advice related to your specific health conditions.
For additional resources that can help you in your walk with Christ, contact Man in the Mirror today.
