Chain Fasting

To prepare ourselves for the Inner Healing retreats, the Ministry has felt the need to start off a Chain Fasting process, beginning 4th January. Everyday two people have been forgoing their breakfast, lunch and dinner. Today I have to forego my lunch along with one more person. And trust me, I am feeling mighty blessed and holy because it’s important and by participating in this Chain Fasting, I am feeling like one big family. I pray that I do not break this chain.

In Matthew 6:17-34, Jesus Christ has said: “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. Keeping this in mind, I have oiled and nicely combed my hair, washed my face with Clean & Clear “morning energy” face wash which has purifying apple extracts in it :). I am, in fact, super excited about this entire Chain Fasting because it will actually be a humongous task in self-control for a person like me who cannot bear hunger pangs. Including today, I have to fast four times – my next fasting is on 14th January wherein I will have to again forego my lunch and then on 19th January and 25th January. I will be foregoing my breakfast on these two days.

As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, and feeds the hungry. Therefore these are some of the reasons why it is a blessing to be Chain Fasting. I want to strengthen myself because fasting and praying brings about miracles.

What does the Bible say about fasting?

Fasting means self-denial by going without food for a period of time. Fasting may be total or partial – avoiding certain foods or eating smaller than normal quantities. The origin of fasting as a religious practice is unclear, but both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible mention a number of instances of fasting for various reasons:

Distress and Grief. Loss of appetite is a natural reaction in times of distress, grief and mourning, and fasting was considered appropriate at these times. David fasted as a sign of grief when Abner was murdered (2 Samuel 3:35). There was a seven-day fast at the death of Saul (1 Samuel 31:13).

Spiritual Preparation. Fasting is a self-sacrifice that makes one humble and more accepting of God's will. Moses fasted for forty days in preparation for receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Daniel fasted for three weeks before receiving his vision (Daniel 10:2-6). Elijah fasted forty days before speaking with God (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus fasted for forty days in preparation for His temptation by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).

Repentance and Atonement. When Jonah predicted the downfall of Nineveh, The Ninevites fasted as a sign of repentance in hopes God would spare their city (Jonah 3:3-9). The Day of Atonement was an annual obligatory day of rest and fasting for the Israelites (Numbers 29:7). When the Israelites had sinned, they often humbled themselves and fasted in hopes of regaining God's favor (Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6).

In both the Old and New Testaments, fasting is seen as useful for humbling oneself as a sign of commitment or repentance and for increasing faith, especially when accompanied by prayer. Fasting allowed one to be devoted to spiritual matters without distraction from earthly things. However, fasting was not to be considered an end in itself, nor a substitute for obedience to God and doing good deeds (Isaiah 58:3-10).

Jesus said that fasting, like prayer, should be done in private and not for show (Matthew 6:16-18, cf., Matthew 6:5-7). John the Baptist's disciples routinely fasted according to Jewish custom, but Jesus and His disciples did not. However, Jesus said His disciples would mourn and fast after He had left them (Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35). The early Christians practiced fasting at least occasionally (Acts 13:3, 14:23, 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27).

Despite the tradition of fasting in the Bible, and Jesus' references to it, the New Testament teachings do not require fasting, and neither Jesus nor His disciples made fasting obligatory. However, a tradition of partial fasting on Wednesdays, and especially on Fridays dates back to the early days of Christianity.

Many Catholics observe partial fasting traditions during Lent (the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter).