Project Wednesday

Jarrod Stackelroth

As I write, it is Wednesday. The middle of most people's working week, it is the day when you have already battled through half a week and are farthest from the relaxation the weekend promises. There's nothing special about Wednesday-absolutely nothing-except it's the day I have chosen to conduct my experiment.

The other reason I chose Wednesday is I usually have nothing planned for Wednesdays. Nothing that requires great physical exertion, no weekly events to attend, no-one I particularly need to see. Except myself-and God, especially God.

In all my years attending church, I've never heard a sermon on it. We know the term-maybe even what is involved-but we never spend much time on the concept of
fasting. If you haven't encountered the term before, fasting is to go without all or certain kinds of food or drink for a certain period of time, especially as a religious observance.

Before you turn the page, let me give you some simple biblical and experiential evidence.

Fasting precedes some amazing events in the Bible. We encounter it in some of the earliest stories we learn as children. The Jews fasted without food or water for three
days before Queen Esther confronted the King, and all were saved from Haman's noose (see Esther 4). When Jonah finally delivered his message (I am sure he fasted in the whale's belly) the people of Ninevah confessed and fasted, so God spared them (see Jonah 3:6-10). Even evil king Ahab fasted and God delayed his punishment (see 1 Kings 21:27-29).

And this is not just an Old Testament concept. Jesus fasted before embarking on His ministry. The early church began with fasting and prayer. There are plenty of fasting references in the Bible (check out a concordance some time) and many of the references are powerful ones.

Jesus warns us to be wary of pharisaical fasting: "When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. . . .But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward
you" (Matthew 6:16-18, NIV). He does not discourage fasting but He does want to ensure we do it for the right reasons.

While sometimes worthwhile, cutting something out of our lives is not necessarily spiritual in itself. In the Bible, fasting is always accompanied by prayer and
humility. The act of fasting is humbling, as we rely on God for sustenance rather than looking to food, TV or whatever it is we are going without for comfort. Today,
God's voice seems increasingly drowned out by the overpowering noise of the world, which preaches self-advancement and instant gratification, not humility and love. Fasting is a focusing process that makes us more receptive to God's voice.

Meanwhile, back to my experiment. I had some important decisions to make and I needed God's help. I toyed with the idea of fasting but kept making excuses (it would slow my already slow metabolism; I wouldn't function properly at work or anywhere).

After sharing my problems with a friend, they asked me if I had tried fasting. It seemed like a sign and I had nothing to lose, so I decided to give it a go. I simply began-but decided to do a little research as I went, to understand what I was doing. I found a book online by Lester Roloff called Food, Fasting and Faith. The book suggests practical tips for fasting, such as taking the time you're usually eating to study the Bible and donating your lunch money to mission work.

I start the day with a prayer for strength, to fast cheerfully and to walk my day with God. On Wednesdays, I read the Bible much more than usual. I am more productive
at work, as I shut out pointless distractions. And the blessings flow through the week. My devotional life has been a lot easier and stronger since I started. I keep
a prayer journal, which I write in every Wednesday, to keep track of answers or blessings I receive that day.

It is hard but surprisingly easy. I don't have all my answers yet but it has been good for my spiritual journey. Give it a go. Experiment. You might be surprised.

This has been an editorial from Record, May 30, 2009

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