Fasting is a practice which has been a part of humanity for many thousands of years, and Jesus himself practiced fasting.  Here is an Injil account of when Jesus fasted. "Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the devil.  For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry." Matthew 4:1-2 

After having fasted for forty days, the devil (satan) came to test Jesus.  Satan tried many temptations, but Jesus was able to overcome these temptations.  Finally the devil tempted Jesus in this way: "Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him the nations of the world and all their glory.  'I will give it all to you,' he said 'if you will only kneel down and worship me.'  "Get out of here, Satan." Jesus told him. "For the scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.'  Then the devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus. Matthew 4:8-11  So Jesus was successful in fasting and also successful in overcoming all temptation to.  Jesus is a true model for us to follow.  Surely the teaching of Jesus is worthy of obedience.

Jesus said that when we fast "...don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting.  I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get.  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret.  And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18

Every year during the month of Ramadan, Muslims everywhere fast.  This is the fourth pillar of Islam.  Many believe that this will help to melt away their sins and also obtain merit with God, but sadly this is not so.  Jesus taught that our sins cannot be atoned for by our own efforts.  Even the most dedicated Muslim cannot pay for his own sins by his duty.  This is the reason why despite years of prayer, fasting, giving generously and pilgrimage, most Muslims are not confident that God is pleased with them.  They continually think that their efforts are not enough, and that is because this is true.  A perfect God can only be pleased by perfection, anything less is not enough.

If this is the case, then why should we bother to fast at all?  I will answer this question in a minute.

Whilst we may never measure up to the perfection God requires of us, we are still able to please God in another way.  Jesus is this way.  Jesus himself was able to live a life of perfection.  He was not tainted by sin like the rest of us are.  The Injil says Jesus "...understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin." Hebrews 4:15 So even though we ourselves cannot please God, Jesus was able to please God and by doing so, He provided a doorway for those who believe.  Here is an interesting story from the Injil that illustrates this.

"Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of His arrival spread quickly through the town.  Soon the house where He was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door.  And He preached the word to them.  Four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat.  They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head.  Then they lowered the sick man on His mat right down in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralysed man, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.'  But some teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, 'What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!'  Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so He said to them, 'Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say to the paralysed man, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up, pick up your mat, and walk?'  I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have authority on earth to forgive sins.'  Then Jesus turned to the paralysed man and said, 'Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!'  The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers.  Then they all praised God.  'We've never seen anything like this before' they exclaimed'." Mark 2:1-12 If you would like to know the details of how Jesus can forgive sins, please click (here.) 

In the same way, we are also able to find complete pardon for our sins through Jesus.  We do not have to earn merit for this, it is obtained by our faith because God is merciful. 

Many Muslims also believe that on the Night of Power they can pray directly to God, but the Injil teaches that we can pray to God through Jesus any day of the year, not only during Laylat al Qadr.  The Injil says that Jesus is "....a great High Priest who has gone to heaven......Let us cling to Him and never stop trusting Him......let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:14b &16

So the Injil teaches that fasting is not for earning merit or forgiveness because Jesus provides that for us.  Fasting however is an act we perform to seek God, to find humility and also on behalf of the needs of others.  These are good valid reasons why we should fast.  Fasting is pleasing to God for these reasons if we fast with the right motivation.

If you would like to receive the free gift of God's forgiveness through Jesus, here is a prayer you may pray.  In addition I suggest you go (here) to read more about Jesus and discover how this forgiveness is provided.

"Jesus, my prayer today is that you would provide cleansing and pardon for my many sins.  I believe that you are able to do this because you died for my sins on the cross.  I ask that today my heart will be renewed and that you will help me to walk in your teachings.  Guide me in the path of good living."

If you were moved in your heart to pray this prayer, please leave me your details.  I will send you more information about Jesus and His teachings.  I will also send you a portion of the Injil that you might search the truths that it contains.  May God truly bless you.

Click To leave your details