Fasting For Closer Relationship with God

The Christian fast refers to a reduction in the quality or quantity of food and water supplemented by pray. This pray-fast relationship is expected to be carried out by followers of Christ on a regular basis (Mark 2:18 - 20), and the why, who, when, and how to fast, is further describe in an article, the Christian fast, the ins and outs.

Acquiring a closer relationship with God can be done by fasting. This is because God expects Christians to follow him in Spirit and in truth (John 4: 23-24). In order to walk successfully in the Spirit one must deny the needs of the flesh. What some Christians fail to understand is that there is a constant war between the Spirit and the flesh, and if you seed to the flesh you will reap according to the flesh, and if you seed to the Spirit you will reap Spiritual things. Fruits of the flesh are described at

Gal 5:19 - 21

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

and fruits of the Spirit are

Gal 5:22 - 23

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

In order therefore to allow for the Spirit to have an advantage over the flesh, Christians must regularly undergo fasts. when one fast you are denying one of the things the flesh has as a need. Other things the flesh cries out for which are wants include sex, money and material things. Some persons argue that they "fast" by abstaining from watching television, sex, etcetera, but these latter things are just wants to the flesh, and therefore are not as powerful as a true fast.

Having embarked on a fast one must also supplement the fast with pray so you can let God know what is on your heart, and he will draw closer. Reading of the Word is also good as it will reveal who God is, and what are God's plans for us.

In any relationship in order for persons to become close the parties within the relationship must get to know each other.