As we approach the end of Lent, it occurs to me God orchestrated a world fast from many things. No ballgames, no concerts, no parties, no work for many, and empty worship centers. People are dying, and we are helpless, but not without hope.

In the Bible, when things were critical, they fasted. During the last few weeks, as the pandemic unfolded, I started pondering why Bible heroes fasted and why regular fasting, isn’t practiced in the contemporary Christian life (at least not in my church).

Laurie Green Westlake

This time of silence is leading me along a new path of discovery and a yearning to have a more intimate experience with God. When I ran across a writer friend’s FB live session (Laurie Green Westlake) discussing fasting, she recommended Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. (https://www.facebook.com/laurie.g.westlake)

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth first released in 1978, and in 2018, the publisher released an anniversary edition.  A book with a twenty-plus-years shelf-life piqued my interest. I purchased the book because Laurie mentioned the chapter on fasting, but it’s opened my eyes and my heart to many things.

The preface alone is worth the price of the book. It includes an easy exercise that has three components. It’s simple yet powerful, and the practice begins with disconnecting from technology for thirty minutes each day. The first day, speak aloud the scripture, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24. Then listen. There’s a simple prayer for the second and third day during your time alone, disconnected from technology, but you’ll need to buy the book to discover it.

If you read the book, you’ll learn about the disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. (Note about meditation. It’s not the Eastern form of meditation to become detached from the world but “The detachment from the confusion all around us to have a richer attachment to God. Christian meditation leads us to the inner wholeness necessary to give ourselves to God freely.) (page 21).

If you, too, are struggling with isolation, feel as if something is missing from your life, I encourage you to study the disciplines in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. As for me, it’s helping me fill the empty places with more of His Holy Spirit.

And now back to my original question:  Should We Fast? What are your thoughts on this subject and can you recommend other books?  I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Take care, dear ones, and take shelter beneath the shadow of His wings.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. Psalm 57:1 

Note: I do not know Richard J. Foster, and I’ve received no compensation for the recommendation of his book, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.