Joel 2:12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
The neurosurgeon Dr. J Rahul Jandial, the American dual-trained brain surgeon and neuroscientist says, smart pills do not optimize brain performance but skipping breakfast twice a week or periodic fasting helps to boost the functioning of the brain. He also recommends intermittent fasting to improve cognitive performance.
Jesus did not say “if you fast” but He said, “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Scientifically proven facts only support scriptures. A thorough study of both science and scriptures will prove that they complement and are not in contradiction to each other. Jesus expected us to fast weekly or periodically as fasting draws us close to Him. If we lose concentration in reading the Bible or are distracted during our prayer time, it is time to fast and pray. Fasting not only boosts brain function it also unites our distracted soul to the Holy Spirit. The waiting time to feel the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit shortens when we have a 24/7 fiber connection with the Lord.
Daniel was able to understand the scriptures as He was in the habit of periodically and methodically fasting. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years (Daniel 9:2). The scriptures translated into revelation as He read the prophecies. Fasting was the secret behind his excellence and brilliance. He challenged the Babylonians, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food” (Daniel 1:12-13b). After ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than the others who enjoyed royal food. Daniel proved himself wiser than the others because of his disciplined fasting and incessant prayer life.
Fasting and Praying improves our cognitive concentration and contextual understanding:
1. Concentrate: Fasting improves both our complexion and concentration. The revelations during a fasting period would be astounding and mindboggling. Our concentration in prayer and reading the Bible will improve tremendously.
2. Closeness: Fasting does not change God, it changes us, refines reforms and transforms us. Fasting brings us close to the bosom of the Saviour.
3. Context: Fasting and prayer fine-tunes our understanding of God and the scriptures. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds (Daniel 1:17). John Hopkins research reveals the secret behind Daniel’s brilliance was fasting. Fasting and praying improves our memory and moods.
It is important to fast at least twice a week to improve our concentration in reading the scriptures, to have intimacy with the Lord and to enhance our cognitive performance.
Daniel 1:20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to discipline myself to regular fasting and sharpen my mind, memory and moods. Amen.
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