Bad Food Smorgasbord
In a previous post, I talked a bit about Biblical Fasting, which covered basic definitions and what biblical fasting really is. This post is really a nuts and bolts, no nonsense approach on how to fast for spiritual purposes.
First, I think fasting is one of those things that cannot be approached lightly. After all, the real goal of fasting is humbling yourself before God in order to reconnect with him and his purposes. If we approach fasting with a wrong attitude, it doesn't accomplish this goal. So, we must first enter into a period of fasting with a humble heart and mind. Awhile back, I thought about fasting for a day and thought that I would do it the next day. The next day came, I woke up and just wasn't feeling it. My heart and mind were not in the right place. So, I didn't do it, instead I did it the day after that, after spending the first day getting my heart and mind in the right place. Is this always a good thing? Maybe not, but I can tell you that the goals of fasting would not have been met if I had done it on the first day.
Second, fasting must be approached and entered into with a great deal of communication with God. If our goal is humility and one-ness with God, then we must have good dialogue. During the fast, it is important to regularly, if not constantly, to talk with God. Tell him what you're thinking and feeling. Tell him your worries. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him how thankful you are for him. Tell him how mad at him you are. It is okay, he can take it. 
Finally, carry on your life as normal. This one is tough sometimes. Part of our human nature is to tell others about what is going on with us. We want to tell people that we are doing this great thing for God. We're tempted to let the world in our little secret with God. In Matthew 6:16-18, we find Jesus addressing this issue. He gives us warning to not look like those who alter their appearance so that everyone may see, but to go about our business as usual, keeping your fasting between you and God.
Biblical fasting can seen as something that only super spiritual people do and seem sort of mysterious. It is my hope and prayer that you'll engage in some sort of fasting, wether it is an all day, all week, or simply a modified fast. There is rich blessing in abstaining from food to commune with God.
