Anyone for fasting?

That was the question that popped into the mind of our board-of-elders chairman, Austin Chapman. Pastor Anderson had mentioned fasting in a sermon, and now the lay leader was getting practical: What about it? Should we—a large, modem church in a Minneapolis suburb—take fasting seriously?

John Wesley once said, "Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it." We certainly knew which category we were. So we did what any group of uneasy churchmen would do: we referred the matter to the discipleship board for further study.

In a matter of weeks, board member Jeff Jonswold presented a report that didn't let us off the hook at all. He noted, among other things that:

• Jesus seemed to think of giving, praying, and fasting as a trio of spiritual disciplines (see Matt. 6:1-18, for example). Jeff listed four reasons to fast: (1) to better focus the mind on God; (2) to share, in some small measure. God's own grief over sin; (3) to turn attention away from material needs toward the One who supplies all; (4) to intensify our praying.

On September 9, 1980, the paper was officially discussed at a special joint meeting of all boards. Within two weeks, George Penland, chairman of the discipleship board, sent a letter to all who were present encouraging a trial period of prayer and fasting. He asked us to report our experiences and conclusions anonymously.

During the next two months, responses trickled in. One wrote: "I used lunch and supper to dwell upon Isaiah 40 (God's greatness) and Colossians 1 (the same God reached down to us). A very valuable time. It required much discipline and concentration. Nothing magical happened—it's a learning process. Conclusion: I plan to set aside one day a month to fast and pray and meditate."

Another wrote: "It's changed me. I first fasted for a specific prayer request—trying to change God and make something happen. Now, I reflect on God himself. I go to him to have my perspective and attitude changed instead of God's.. It has humbled me. My goal is to do it once a week."

One who ate only breakfast for two days wrote: "I was aware of physical discomfort, but I felt that was good. It heightened my awareness and appreciation of God. It's improved my prayer life. I lost weight. I plan to do this again often."

Of those who reported, none were negative or even neutral. All saw fasting as a "helpful," "positive," "uplifting," or "life-changing" discipline.

On January 28, 1981, Wooddale's first "Day of Prayer and Fasting" was held. People were asked to spend regular mealtimes in prayer for "the nation, its new leadership, our church, the new building project, and our personal lives." We had corporate prayer at the church at 7 a.m., 12 noon, and 7 p.m. I led some Scripture readings and responsive readings in four basic categories: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Hymns and praise choruses were interjected throughout. We prayed in large groups and small groups, sometimes silently, sometimes vocally. Daytime participation was small (20 to 30) but positive. The evening gathering drew 185 (out of a Sunday worship attendance of 1,400). Nevertheless, those who participated were enthusiastic, and many encouraged the idea of all-church fasts.

We held three other fasting days in 1981, with similar numerical responses. We don't know how many joined in private, though there were several.

One homemaker said: "I found it hard at first. But each time I've participated with the rest of the church on the special day, it gets easier and better. Now I'm saying, 'Why didn't I do this before?' "

A business executive says, "I experience no great emotional change on that day, but it does help me focus on a spiritual problem. The change in my daily pattern is a helpful and visible effort to be more involved in prayer. It makes the whole day a time of meditation and spiritual concentration."

One of the pastors says, "It gives me greater spiritual sensitivity. Since I'm disciplining my bodily appetites, I seem to have less temptation—I'm more spiritually in tune." Another pastor adds, "It affects all I do during the day. I learn what it means to 'pray without ceasing.' "

An interesting observation by one church leader gives needed perspective. "There are different reasons for fasting. And if it is part of the regular foundation of our Christian life, we will be ready to fast effectively when crises come and the great decisions of life must be made."

Since then, we have begun to understand this discipline in our individual and corporate walk with God. We have built a "Day of Fasting" into the calendar for each quarter. We want to rise above mediocrity; we want to experience, through fasting, what Richard Foster calls the "breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that could never be had in any other way … (the) means of God's grace and blessing that should not be neglected any longer."