Have you been thinking about prayer and fasting? Do you need God to intervene, answer a big question, or help change the course of your life or a loved one’s life? Dear Prayer Warrior, a time of fasting is a great way to pray harder. However, you must be aware that there are ways to ruin a time of fasting!
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It Is Easy to Ruin A Time Of Fasting
As we continue our series on prayer and fasting, we started with 5 of the reasons God calls His people to fast with hope.
I know what you’re thinking; the next logical step in our series should have been “How To Fast”. But, Y’all, the Bible actually says more about How Not To Fast. So often, Scripture warns us about the many ways we ruin a time of fasting that I felt it had to be addressed first.
Honestly, a better title for this article would have been:
How to have a time of fasting that is an abomination to God.
That is the kind of language God uses in the Bible when He is getting after people for ruining a fast. Intense right?!?!?!?!
Isaiah 58 Outlines How To Ruin a Time Of Fasting
We will begin today in Isaiah 58. The scene is set with the Israelites in a time of prayer and fasting. God, however, is not happy. He tells Isaiah not to spare the people’s feelings as he calls out their sin:
“Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, and declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.“
God sees sin in the way they are fasting. He then goes on in verse two to list some things – things I tend to think are good…
- They seek Me day by day.
- Delight to know My ways.
- As a nation that has done righteousness.
- And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
- They ask Me for just decisions.
- They delight in the nearness of God.
God Looks At The Heart
The Israelites were doing all the things they always did while fasting and praying. They dressed just right, obeyed the right ceremonial laws, and said all the right words. Why wasn’t God pleased?
God is not fooled by our Outward appearance.
God looks at our heart – at the motives for our actions – and judges that. What looks like good behavior to me (a recovering legalist) didn’t fool God. We get a glimpse of their heart with verse three.
“Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?” (:3)
Religion Vs Relationship
Their church game didn’t fool God. In verses three through five, we see that God saw the things they were hiding in their behavior
- On the day of your fast you find your desire.
- And drive hard all your workers.
- You fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.
- You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.
- Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed.
- And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?
- Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?
Unforgiveness
One area that is not in today’s passage- but we see the Scripture address in other places – is forgiveness. When we are struggling to forgive or refusing to forgive altogether, there is a separation between us and God.
Unforgiveness can ruin a time of prayer and fasting. It will stop Him from answering our prayers (Matthew 6:14-15) and get us stuck in our faith walk.
Lest We Judge The Israelites
We see examples of similar warnings in the Old and New Testament when God’s people think they have a magic formula to get God to do what they desire. We do the same thing!
Never forget that He is God and we are not. He does not bow to our whims or desires, though He does care about us and what we care about.
When we approach the God of the universe, it should be with humble reverence.
5 Ways To Ruin A Fast and Displease God
What exactly did God see that was not acceptable for a day or time of fasting?
Fasting was a habit for the Israelites, a religious ritual they followed to get a response from God.
That is not what the Lord is about. He longs for a relationship with us, for our hearts to desire Him. When we step past that and use Him like a genie who grants wishes when you say the right thing or do the right thing… we displease the Lord.
This passage is an amazing list of what Not to do in a time of fasting!
There are at least 5 Simple Ways Most People Ruin a Time of Fasting! Learn about them here. Share on XWhat Not To Do in a Time of Fasting
- Do not fast out of habit alone.
- God longs for a relationship with you.
- Don’t put an expectation on God.
- This will lead you to get unjustifiably angry with God for not bowing to our demands.
- Don’t take pride in your fasting.
- We should not flaunt it as a badge of spiritual superiority (Luke 18:12).
- No fake piety.
- Trying to look humble or sad so others notice is sinful (Matthew 6:16-18 ).
- Fasting should produce humility, not pride (Psalm 35:13-14).
- Fasting isn’t an excuse to be grouchy.
- The Israelites were easily aggravated at others.
- They used their fasting as an excuse to take the frustration out on others.
- The Israelites were easily aggravated at others.
- It also should not be a time to neglect our normal responsibilities
Don’t Ruin A Time of Prayer and Fasting!
The bottom line of how to ruin a time of fasting is that:
Fasting is not a way to force God to act or move according to my will.
Honestly, the prompting to fast can be about our need, but a the heart of it, it has to be our desire to humbly draw near to the heart of God. As we draw near, we must let go of any expectations of Him, allowing His will to be done.
If you need help guiding your prayer time, check out The Strategic Prayer Journal in The Hope Joy In Christ Shop!
Next, we’ll look at the how-to’s of fasting and learn how to prepare our hearts to draw near to God as we seek Him. Hope you’ll join me then 😉
in HIS love,
Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Join the Wives Only Facebook Group here or keep up with her through Pinterest.
If you enjoyed this you would also like these Posts:
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- 40-Days to Be Still and Know God more
- 27 Fasting and Prayer Scriptures for Spiritual Breakthrough
I like this.
It really opened my eyes Rotua!
This look at fasting is eye opening. I’ll admit I don’t understand much about fasting and the proper way to do it but I have been feeling the Holy Spirit’s pull towards it. I have been trying to read scripture about it and understand it but I know there is a proper way to fast and an improper way. That’s why I’ve been reluctant to do it. I’ll pursue all your articles about it but please share more with me if you can or direct me toward other reliable resources. Thank you
Hi Kelli, you are right that fasting feels overwhelming and intimidating. I would encourage you to just jump in and try a fast. Pick a meal to give up tomorrow or choose to go off social media for a day. Pick some verses to read and pray over about an area you want to grow in and just jump in. You will learn as you go. If you are looking for a quick read to get you over the hurdle check out this book ‘The Beginners Guide to Fast and Pray’ – https://amzn.to/3b732Lq