he central idea in fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these normal functions in life--it is simply that there are times when we set them aside in order to concentrate. Viewed from this perspective, we can see the reasonableness of fasting, and also its broader dimensions. For example, there is a great need today to learn to fast from people . . . not because we are antisocial, but precisely because we love people intently and when we are with them we want to be able to do them good, and not harm. Thomas Merton said, 'It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. . . . Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not what they say.'
"We also need to have times when we fast from the media [newspapers, radio, television, magazines]. It is amazing to me that many people are incapable of going through an entire day concentrating on one thing. Their train of thought is constantly broken by this demand or that interruption. . . . Some people are so enslaved to television that if it were taken away they would go through withdrawal. . . .
"We can also learn to fast from the telephone. This instrument is a wonderful invention, but it controls many people. Some people will stop praying in order to answer the telephone. Can you imagine anything more absurd?"--Taken from Richard J. Foster, Freedom of Simplicity, pp. 138, 139.
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Ellen White's writings speak a great deal about the topic of fasting--both for spiritual and physical health (see Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 187-189; The Acts of the Apostles, p. 144; Selected Messages, book 2, p. 364). She also speaks of herself and other Seventh-day Adventist pioneers participating in prayer and fasting to be "better fitted to understand truth" (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 24; see also Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 p. 593).
Like Jesus, however, she speaks words of caution: "It is true that there are persons with ill-balanced minds who imagine themselves to be very religious and who impose upon themselves fasting and prayer to the injury of their health. These souls suffer themselves to be deceived. God has not required this of them. They have a pharisaical righteousness, which springs, not from Christ, but from themselves. They trust to their own good works for salvation and are seeking to buy heaven by meritorious works of their own instead of relying, as every sinner should, alone upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Christ and true godliness, today and forever, will be health to the body and strength to the soul" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 172, 173; see also other Ellen G. White writings on the subject).
