Why do we fast?

There are many reasons, but one main reason is to draw near to God.

During the season of Lent, Christians traditionally practice fasting.

In this conversation with Amy Seiffert, author of Starved, we discuss all things fasting, including some how-tos and how-not-tos.

Amy is also the author of Grace Looks Amazing on You and on the teaching team at Brookside Church. She is an affiliate Cru staff member and a regular YouVersion Bible Teacher.

Some highlights from our conversation:

• Amy tells us the story of her son’s diagnosis with Crone’s disease. He was eating but was malnourished. As Amy dug in to get intentional about his needed diet change, she realized he wasn’t the only one malnourished. God helped her see that she and many others also needed a spiritual diet change.
• We discuss fasting and some of Amy’s attempts to fast – what worked and what didn’t. What didn’t work was fasting without feasting on God.
• We talk about fasting from food reveals what really controls us.
• Amy points out that the passage we meditated on, Matthew 6:16-18, indicates fasting is a practice. Practice implies we will get some things wrong and some things right.
• Based on Matthew 6, Jesus desired that fasting would remove performance and invite presence.
• What are some of the wrong motives for fasting? Fasting as a way to try to get something from God. The goal of fasting is to connect and commune with God. And yet, there are times we fast and pray to ask God for things, but if we don’t receive our request, will we still worship and trust God?
• Amy shares some examples of fasting from Scripture and what they had in common.
• Fasting from food isn’t the only way to fast. Amy gives us some ideas for different ways we can fast.
• Finally, Amy gives us some encouragement for how we can fast well.

You can connect with Amy at https://www.amyseiffert.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyseiffertblog/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyseiffert/

You can order Amy’s book here: https://www.tyndale.com/p/starved/9781496460295

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