Let us examine the verse which the Psalmist used to choose this word.
He said, "...I humbled my soul with fasting; and prayer returned to mine own bosom."
When read in context, one understands the writer of this verse was battling physical and emotional enemies that wanted to destroy him. Much of what is indicated in this passage has to do with deceitfulness in words.
Why would he choose the practiced spiritual art of "fasting" to fend off his enemies? The literal answer in his own words is, a "humbled soul." A soul that would know "prayer returned." Stating the obvious, "where did his prayer go?"
What is the result of a prayerless believer? Fearful thinking which leads to wrong choices and decisions and usually a prideful attitude towards things of the Lord.
What difference does prayer make in your life? James 5.16 explains "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
There are many verses dedicated to prayer and praying (Phil 4.6,7; Col 4.2; Mark 11.4; Ps 145.18...) and why a believer should make it a constant, daily habit and the first choice instead of the last choice. But, why is fasting and prayer covered in the same sentence?
The writer of this scripture told us that he "humbled his soul with fasting." In my experience, everything slows down when there is no food for energy in this corrupt flesh. Life has a clarity, I believe, may only be found in fasting. Once in my life I fasted for three days. Did anything change? Not immediately. Did I "slow down?" Not really. Did I receive any revelation or leadership from the Lord? No. The third day I broke the fast but didn't need to because food had became secondary. I was not hungry. The desire for such an earthly need went away. I made a conscious decision to break the fast but it taught me one thing; "Greater is He that is in you..." (I Jn 4.4) I believe I could have gone longer but didn't.
Did "fasting" humble my heart? Actually, due to the circumstances of life at the time, prayer was indeed paramount. There was a moment during this intense time in life as I prayed I felt the arms of the Lord cover me so gently and lovingly that somehow I knew everything would turn out alright. I have not experienced such a physical move of God on my soul in that way before or since.I can say beyond doubt, however, "fasting brought peace" to my troubled heart.
Fasting is a way of denying ourselves in favor of His way and His will. The Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 6.16-18, never to do it for show. The Lord also explained in Matthew 17.21 that certain circumstances required such self denial. The apostle Paul had an important decision to make in Acts 13.2 that urgently called for fasting. There is something far above this mortal realm that is touched by denying oneself in this way.
Whether you do or don't is entirely up to the Lord's leadership and the Holy Ghost urging in your heart. Remember when the Lord Jesus fasted for forty days in Matt 4.1-11? Fasting will try your spirit no doubt but it also allows the power of the Anointed One to use you in ways you could never imagine. Fasting is never about one's personal "spirituality," it is always about Obedience!
My prayer is that you will "humbly" explore this "spiritual tool" for yourself. My desire is for a humble heart in obedience to Him.
God bless and keep you is my prayer.
P.S. Food isn't the only thing to fast. I believe you can "fast" on social media or personal desires as well. Do you really need that addition to your (doll, figurine, baseball card...)
collection? Just saying....
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