By: LuAnn
2026 has arrived!
Once a year our community completes a five day fast. This fast sets the tone for the coming new year. Fasting is a discipline and not an easy thing to do. But it is a necessary part of a Christian’s life. The Word is full of advice on how to live as a follower of Jesus. And we know that Jesus fasted. We know that fasting is not a new thing. In fact, in the last few years, fasting has become a bit of a fad. But fasting for spiritual reasons is different.
We fast to deny our appetite. We fast to strengthen our spirit and draw closer to God. As Sumites, those who are living in unequally yoked marriages, we fast to renew our spirit. We fast to renew our faith. We fast to remember that Our God is a God of miracles and answered prayers.
We fast because we want more of Him than we do of the world.
Fasting can be as simple as missing one meal, or it can be more complicated and of longer duration such as a 21-day Daniel fast. The most important part of a fast is not the suffering or longing for food. It’s not the endurance required. It is what you choose to do with that time you would normally be eating. This should be the time you are in the Word, praying or praising, or worshipping. Otherwise, your fast is simply not eating.
One thing I have learned from fasting. It is met with resistance. If I choose to miss a meal because I want to lose weight or I’m too busy. It’s not a big deal. I barely notice until my body reminds me later that it’s time to refuel. But deciding to fast is a different story! My body begins to scream with hunger. “Feed me! Feed me!” As though it is an unruly child having a temper tantrum. And I feel those pangs of hunger clearly.
So, the first step in choosing to fast for spiritual reasons is prayer. It will take guidance from Holy Spirit as well as strength and resolve. How do you choose how to fast? It’s personal. Each of us seeks guidance from Holy Spirit for the way He desires us to fast. Is it one meal? Is it sunup to sundown? Do I give up all food? Do I only drink juices? Do I eat only bland foods that give power and nutrition to my body but no enjoyment? How long do I fast? In a corporate fast, the times are chosen for the group. In our case, it begins, sunrise on Jan. 5th and lasts 5 days. The rest is up to you.
Once you have determined the how, it’s time to prepare mentally and spiritually. We need to set our resolve. And we need to prepare spiritually for the resistance that we will surely encounter. This means we armor up. We pray up. We prepare with the Word, as our shield and sword. Jesus fasted 40 days, alone, in the dessert. He had to encounter the enemy face to face. And He answered every temptation with the Word. That is our example. And we are not alone as we enter this time of placing our hearts and minds totally on Him. Jesus walks with us. Holy Spirit dwells within us. We have been given all we need for success.
And so, as we prepare, let me encourage you to be bold. Bold in your love for Him. Bold in your quest to grow closer to Him. Bold in your faith to believe for your spouse and families’ salvation.
I’ll see you in the comments. Let me know how you will be fasting this week.
LuAnn Wendover: I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and lover of Jesus. I am a retired history teacher. My husband and I have a large family, seven adult children and 14 grandchildren. I have been a part of SUM for quite a few years now. I am part of the group that leads a weekly fast and prays for our needs. It is a privilege and a delight to serve Jesus in this group. Life has become quite challenging these past few months. But, throughout this time, my faith in God to provide and bring good out of this has never wavered. Romans 8:28 is my life verse.
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