With a new year underway, new year traditions will begin. The most common annual tradition is new year resolutions. With the start of a new year, many people seek to improve an aspect of their lives whether it be working out, eating healthier or to quit smoking. Along with these common resolutions, many churches are suggesting that their members fast for a certain amount of days and give up an important object to spend more time in God’s word.

Fasting is a movement of willing abstinence or reduction of common things like food and social media for a certain amount of time. In place of the thing you have fasted, more time reading God’s word or praying is expected.

The Bible has many passages concerning fasting. The first is found in the book of Isaiah. In chapter 58, the people of Israel were upset with God for not noticing their fasting. They feel that God is unimpressed with their hard work. Jesus explains through his sermon on the mount that when we fast, we are not to make it obvious to others, but only to God who will reward us for what is done in secret.

Another passage about fasting can be found in the book of Matthew. In chapter 4, Jesus entered the wilderness and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While fasting, the devil came to Jesus and tempted him to turn stones into bread. Jesus does not listen and tells the devil, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Relying on God’s strength alone, Jesus was able to complete his fast.

When we fast, it is not about us. It is about God. It is not about impressing other people and we can never impress God. Often times people think that there are certain items of their lives that they simple can not give up, so I challenge you to fast those things depending on God and the power of the Holy Spirit. — Pastor Bob Willis

Northpark Community Church is one church that has participated and has suggested that its members to fast. Pastor Bob Willis explains that fasting is not about us or others, rather it is about God. He suggests that we fast the things that we think that we are unable to live without.

“When we fast, it is not about us,” Willis said. “It is about God. It is not about impressing other people and we can never impress God. Often times people think that there are certain items of their lives that they simple can not give up, so I challenge you to fast those things depending on God and the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Along with praying to God and asking him to meet our needs, God expects us to serve others and demonstrate his love, hope and care.

“It is a great time to ask God to meet our specific need,” Willis said. “It is also a great time to dive into serving others and being an instrument of his love, hope, love and care in their lives.”

There are many different kinds of fasting. There is a absolute fast, which involves taking in nothing, even water. There is also a partial fast, which involves, fasting only a specific item.

On top of new year resolutions, many people will be fasting an important item in their lives to spend more time with God. Whether it is only for a couple of days or three weeks, I encourage everyone to give up something for at least a couple of days and grow closer to God.

Information for this article was provided by, Northpark.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @nick_leblanc1 and via email: Nick LeBlanc.