Inviting God’s visitation.

Fasting - Part 1

Every day, countless voices are competing for our attention, and the loudest one often gets through. If we’re not careful, we can easily overlook God’s presence in our lives. As we step into the second month of the year, marking the first quarter of 2025, let’s use this time to invite God into our hearts. The start of a new year is when many people make resolutions, whether it’s to stick to good habits, change certain behaviours, accomplish a personal goal, or improve in some way.

As I look around, I see a lot of fasting happening—some people are fasting for 7 days, while others are going for 100 days. Around the world, many Christians begin the year with fasting as a way to spiritually reset. It's a time to draw closer to God by dedicating the year to Him through prayer and self-denial. Fasting is a powerful spiritual practice that brings renewal, cleansing our hearts and minds, and helping us connect with God more deeply. The start of a new year is a great opportunity to make positive changes and recommit to spiritual growth.

So, if we want to invite God into our lives, prayer and fasting are two powerful ways to do so. However, it’s important to understand that fasting isn’t a way to bargain with God or manipulate Him. It’s not about twisting His arm—it’s about deepening our relationship with Him. When we fast, we give up the comforts of food, distractions, and worldly pleasures to focus on what truly matters. By fasting, we’re telling God, "You are more important to me than anything else."

Fasting isn’t meant to feel like a burden—it’s an act of sacrifice and devotion to God. Not everyone can fast for 7, 21, 40, or even 100 days, and that’s okay. The important thing is to start somewhere, even if it’s just taking small steps. Maybe you begin by skipping one meal a week and using that time for prayer and reflection. Or perhaps you try a digital fast, unplugging from social media for a while to refocus on God. What truly matters isn’t how long or how intense the fast is—it’s the intention behind it. 

Ask yourself: “Am I doing this to manipulate God, or am I doing it to grow closer to Him?” When you truly embrace the purpose of fasting, you might be surprised at the transformation that takes place within you. You could find a deeper sense of peace, clarity about your purpose, or a renewed connection with God that you’ve never experienced before. 

I used to dislike fasting. So, when the Holy Spirit led me to do a 7-day fast, I wasn’t eager to obey. I hadn’t fasted in years, and at that time, I was just beginning to fully commit my life to Christ. It was my first real fast since going to church. But despite my hesitation, I chose obedience and did a one-meal-a-day fast. As I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t about the number of days or the difficulty of the fast—it was about my heart. That’s what God wanted from me. 

At first, I struggled. I found myself thinking more about food than about prayer. But in His mercy, God gave me the strength to push through, and I completed the fast. It wasn’t easy, but it deepened my relationship with Him in ways I never expected.

When my fast ended, I didn’t see immediate results. At first, I wondered if anything had really changed. But over time, I started noticing shifts in my behaviour—my desires began to change in ways I couldn’t explain. God was working supernaturally in me. One of the most powerful transformations was that He delivered me from an addiction I had. I’ll share more about that another time. 

This experience reminded me of what Paul wrote in Romans 12:1: 

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Fasting is a form of sacrifice, where we offer ourselves to God—not just in words, but in action. It’s a time of consecration, where we surrender our entire being, letting go of what holds us back and allowing Him to shape us. During my fast, I became more aware of His presence and felt a deeper connection with Him. It also opened my eyes to areas of my life that were ruled by fear and selfishness.  Fasting wasn’t just about going without food—it was about giving myself fully to God. And in doing so, He brought transformation in ways I never expected.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you offer yourselves to God as a living sacrifice, He takes that offering and drenches it in His refining fire—burning away anything that doesn’t belong. I’ve experienced this every time I’ve fasted. Each period of fasting has been a time of purification, where God removes what holds me back and draws me closer to Him. 

The British athlete and missionary C.T. Studd once said, “If Jesus Christ died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” That sums it up perfectly. Choosing to live a fasted life—whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly—shouldn’t feel like too much to give. Fasting isn’t just about what we give up; it’s about surrendering our will and desires so that we can experience a deeper connection with Jesus. He who holds the entire universe also holds every moment of our lives—so why wouldn’t we trust Him enough to lay everything down for Him? 

My prayer is that God stirs up a holy hunger in you and me, a hunger that drives us to seek Him with all our hearts. May we surrender our lives to Him fully, know Him more deeply, love Him more passionately, and reflect Him more clearly in everything we do. 

God bless.