Ask The Pastor: Should I Fast?
I’ve been asked about fasting. I imagine there’s a lot of Christians that have never fasted! We pray regularly, read our Bibles, attend church, give generously. But fasting? Is that something we should be doing? In Matthew 6:16-18, He didn't ask whether His followers would fast. He assumed they would. And tucked inside that assumption is an open invitation—to experience a dimension of spiritual growth that most of us are simply leaving on the table. Look closely at what Jesus says: "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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." Jesus said "when you fast"—not " if you fast." In the s...
