Dear Church Family,
Yesterday as we read the “Sermon On The Mount” together, Jesus raised with us the topic of fasting.
Scott helpfully pointed out that giving, praying, and fasting don’t make us Christians - we are saved by grace, through faith. But as Kingdom people, these are practices we take up in response to His grace.
What stood out is that Jesus speaks of these things as expectations for His followers: When you give, when you pray, when you fast - not if. He assumes that these will be marks of Kingdom life. Giving, praying, and fasting should be natural expressions of who we are as His people. While giving and praying remain common among us, fasting has become less so, which is perhaps why we stumbled on it yesterday.
A number of people raised questions about fasting during our open mic time, and Scott gave an example: if you’re praying for the developing world, you might fast from lunch. Then, when your stomach rumbles, you’re reminded not just of the needs of others but also of your own dependence on God - your need for His daily provision, His kindness, and His sustaining grace.
There are times when God’s people turn to fasting in moments of crisis, seeking His provision and guidance. When I first arrived at Gymea, we were facing a significant financial shortfall, and the Parish Council even raised the possibility of reducing staff. Rather than rushing into difficult decisions, we committed to a season of prayer and fasting, asking the Lord for wisdom and provision. During that time, I put together a short guide to fasting, which I’m attaching to this email. Given the interest and questions raised yesterday, I thought it would be valuable to share it again.
As I reflect on this, I wonder if fasting could become part of our corporate life together - perhaps a week of fasting and prayer at some point each year, seeking the Lord’s direction as a church. Right now, we are in Lent, a season traditionally associated with fasting. As evangelical Protestants, we’ve rightly focused on the inward reality of faith rather than external rituals. But in doing so, we may have neglected the helpful discipline of fasting.
So perhaps, in the lead-up to Easter, you might consider how fasting could be part of your walk with Jesus. I trust the attached document will be a blessing as you explore this.
Your friend in Jesus,
David
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