Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. John 6:27
“Fasting by itself is not a virtue. It is nothing at all. Without prayer, it becomes bodily punishment that induces spiritual aridity and bad temper. The same is true of prayer; without fasting, it loses its power along with its fruits.
We may liken fasting to a burning coal and prayer to frankincense. Neither has value without the other, but together, the sweet savor of their incense fills the air.
Fasting calms the impulses of the flesh and quenches the fire of passion; it curbs the prattling of the tongue. Thus, it substantially prepares us for the work of prayer and the release of the spirit from slavery to the flesh. In this way, fasting allows the spirit to contemplate the truths of eternity and the age to come.
The following constitute spiritual meanings for fasting: Fasting is not a deprivation from certain kinds of food but a voluntary abstinence from them. It does not humiliate the flesh, but refreshes the spirit. Nor does it fetter or imprison the senses; it releases them from all that hinders contemplation of God. Fasting does not seek to repress the appetite for food. It renounces this appetite and, in renunciation, elevates it to relish the love of God. Fasting does not imply confinement or restriction, but aims at joy and magnanimity of heart.”
Matthew the Poor (1919-2006), a Coptic Orthodox Monk in Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way by Father Matta El-Meskeen (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press) 229-230.
As I explore fasting through church history, I find rich expressions of it in the early church, but it has been much harder to locate thoughtful content closer to modern times. That is, until I read Matthew the Poor. This monk understood fasting and, more specifically, it’s connection to prayer!
Think of it this way. Prayer without fasting becomes, “God, give me what I want.” And we tend to want it all and want it now. Prayer with fasting surrenders our desires and says “God give me what you desire.” Notice the major difference? This may be a leading contributor to the loss of power in prayer today.
This Lent (and beyond) let’s surrender our desires to enliven the spiritual part of us (fasting) and ask God to make His will be done (prayer) so we become conduits of blessing to those He cares about (almsigiving). As a result, the fruit of the Spirit of generosity will be vibrant in and through us.