Then Esther told them to reply to Mor′decai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” – Ester 4:15-16
Throughout the Bible, great stories of faith are accompanied by acts of fasting. When Jonah brings the word of the Lord to the people of Nineveh and called them to repent, the people of Nineveh responded by fasting and prayer. Just after being baptized, and before Jesus begins his public ministry, Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit so that he could fast for forty days. As Jesus’ disciples began their ministry, they devoted themselves to practices such as prayer and fasting.
Perhaps one of the best examples of fasting being part of faith takes place in the book of Esther. The book of Esther tells the story of a plot against the Jewish people by one of the advisors to the king. The plot is discovered by Mordecai. Mordecai sent word to the queen, Esther. Esther was raised by Mordecai and wanted nothing more than to help her people, however she feared for her life if she were to approach the King uninvited. She reluctantly agreed to put her own life at risk, for the sake of her people.
When Esther committed to approaching the King with news of this plot, she asked for Jews and her attendants to fast in preparation of going before the King. Esther took time to draw close to God so that she could be strengthened for “such a time as this.” Strengthened by her time fasting and praying, she approached King Xerxes and began the work to save her people and herself.
Fasting is a tool that people of faith have used for thousands of years. It sets aside things that distract us and allows us to focus on God. During the season of Lent, we often choose to fast. We do this to draw close to God, and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. Fasting does not have to be 40 days without food and water. Fasting can be as simple as forgoing a lunch, giving up a significant part of your diet (coffee, soda, chocolate) or turning off social media and electronics for a while. Fasting is not simply skipping out on food or drink; it is also being intentional about using the time we would have spent otherwise to focus on our faith.
Spending time with God, focusing on our faith, strengthens us for days ahead. Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days of preparation we set aside to ready ourselves for the great celebration of Easter. I want to encourage you to consider a fast this season of Lent. God wants to draw close to us; let us take time to draw near to God.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
