At this point in the fast, if you’ve been fasting food at any level, you’ve probably gotten hungry. Hunger is an interesting and complex thing. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, hunger was originally thought to be a process initiated by the body when our system detects nutritional imbalances. Our brain senses when our stomach is low on food and then signals to us that it is time to eat. Modern theories suggest that hunger is not something that is generated but is a sensation which is always present in our bodies. This desire is masked by the effects of our last meal, which block the sensation of hunger. But it’s not until we go without food that we can feel or understand this sensation of hunger.

The same is true spiritually. Deep inside every one of us is a desire for more of God, for more of His presence in our lives. However, too often we feed ourselves with so many other things that we never really feel that deep-seated desire for God. When we fast, we are taking time to set aside distractions and eliminate the things in our lives which may mask what our souls truly need.

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” The term in the Greek used for hunger here means to strongly desire, to be starved for something. Jesus said that when we reach the point where we are starving for Him, when we desire His righteousness more than anything, He will always satisfy that craving. Fasting has a way of getting us to that point.

The wonderful thing about spiritual hunger is what Jesus promised in Matthew 5, those who desire more of God will be filled. And as we fast, both our spiritual hunger and our spiritual satisfaction increase.

As we fast and pray with the heart-felt cry for God to send revival, it first begins with a hunger for more of God in each one of us. When we hunger for more of God, we will be filled!

Scriptures

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.