When You Fast: A Biblical Foundation for an Ancient Practice

What if fasting wasn't just for biblical heroes, but for ordinary followers of Jesus? What if it was assumed—not optional?Hey, Christ Church. I'm Brad Coleman, the pastor of Christ Church Highland Park. Welcome to this week's "Holy Habits" devotional series. We're in the season of Lent—40 days leading up to the most significant moment in human history: the death and resurrection of Jesus. And during this season, we're focusing on spiritual practices that help us place ourselves more intentionally in God's presence. This week, we're talking about fasting.In this first devotion, we lay the biblical foundation for the practice of fasting:The many examples of fasting throughout Scripture: Moses (40 days on Mount Sinai), Esther (a three-day fast for her people), David (praying and fasting for his sick child), Daniel (a partial fast for 21 days), and countless others.The most significant example: Jesus Himself. In Luke 4, He fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, full of the Holy Spirit, preparing for His earthly ministry.Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6: "When you fast..."—not if. The assumption is clear: this will be a regular practice for His followers.The right way to fast: not for show, not with a gloomy face, but in secret before your Father who sees in secret and will reward you.A connection to Jesus' teaching on anxiety: "Do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink." Fasting helps us reorder our relationship with food, with provision, and with trust in our Heavenly Father.Fasting is not a relic of the past. It's a spiritual practice with deep biblical roots—and it has a place in our lives as we grow toward Christlikeness.Join us this week as we explore fasting as worship, training in righteousness, and practical ways to experiment with this holy habit during Lent.Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the series!