The month of Ramadan is here for the Muslim world, reinforcing the requirement of self-discipline in keeping the body in subjection to the spirit.

As a Judeo-Christian discipline, reference to fasting goes back to about 1400 B.C. in the Old Testament book of Judges 20:26.

In many other passages (Lev.16:19-31; 23:27-32), it is referred to as “afflicting the soul,” which in Ps.35:13 is interpreted as fasting.

The book of Nehemiah 7:73-9:38 records a general fast.

During the captivity, Israel added four fasts in addition to the one for the Day of Atonement.

In the New Testament, the Pharisees kept weekly fasts on Mondays and Thursdays.

The present Jewish calendar permits 22 fasts plus the Day of Atonement.

In Mt.9, Jesus made analogy of fasting with a bridal scene.

He said it would be inappropriate for His disciples to fast when He, the Bridegroom, was present with them.

Time would come when He will be taken away from them and then they will fast.

Should Christians fast?

Obviously, yes, because Jesus said, “then shall my servants fast.”

There are appropriate occasions for Christians to fast.

In Mt.6:16, Christ said, “Moreover when you fast.”

In Acts 13, we read of leaders of Antioch church ministering to the Lord and fasting and out of it came the impetus of missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas.

In Acts 14, we have the church fasting when they selected elders.

Christian leaders throughout centuries have emphasized the place of fasting for people of God.

Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, “Fasting is a laudable practice and we have reason to lament it, that it is so generally neglected among Christians.”

Reformer John Wesley said, “Christians who take heed unto their ways and desire to walk humbly and closely with God, will find frequent occasion for private seasons of afflicting their souls before their Father which is in secret.”

Martin Luther said, “It was not Christ’s intention to reject or despise fasting . . . it was His intention to restore proper fasting.”

Have we ever considered or undertaken fasting?

The fact is this subject seems to have dropped right out of our lives and right out of our whole Christian thinking in our days.

What is the purpose of fasting?

As we study the Old Testament and note various occasions when people fasted, we find they did it to avert God’s wrath from a nation, to humble themselves, when requesting special mercies, for protection and guidance, and for the purpose of worship and communion with God.

Many think fasting is for self-discipline.

While fasting can help in that, self-discipline is something we are supposed to do all the time as we keep our bodies under control.

On the other hand, fasting is for special occasions when we feel a special need or feel especially led of the Lord to fast.

The great prayer warrior Andrew Murray said, “Prayer needs fasting for its full growth. Prayer is one hand with which we grasp the invisible, fasting the other with which we let loose and cast away the visible.

“In nothing is man more closely connected with the world of sense than in his need of food and his enjoyment of it . . . fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm resolutions that we are ready to sacrifice anything, to sacrifice ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”

We should not fast thinking we can obligate God as a means of obtaining direct blessing, but because we feel impelled to do so for some spiritual reasons.

Fasting should never be routine or mechanical.

It should be prompted by the Holy Spirit and engaged in at His command for the duration that He dictates.

Narayan Mitra is a chaplain at Thompson Rivers University