Exploring fasting and prayer
Bethel University’s Student Ministries give faculty and students opportunities to learn about and engage in spiritual disciplines at Strength in surrender event.
By Grace Morningstar, writer
“There’s just too much,” Laura Van Norman said. “Too much anxiety… too much time in the house… too much yogurt in baby’s hair… too much injustice… too much grief.”
Van Norman wrapped her hands tightly around the microphone. She stood on the cement stage and revealed that it was hard for her to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit amid the ‘too-much-ness’ and forgetfulness.
Bethel’s Student Ministries put on an event in the Underground Thursday as an opportunity to learn about fasting and prayer. Students and staff were able to learn about the spiritual disciplines and then given the opportunity to partake in fasting and prayer Friday.
Van Norman was invited to the event to share her personal experience with fasting. She attended Bethel for her undergraduate and seminary degrees and was placed at Abbey Way Church in Minneapolis, where she worked for 12 years. Now, being a mother to her daughter Phoebe is a full-time job. The past few years have brought struggles for Van Norman. A pandemic. Being a first-time mother. Church transition.
For Van Norman, fasting is the practice of saying no in a culture that demands yes. It’s a way for her to invest in her relationship with Jesus.
“There’s just too much. Too much anxiety… too much time in the house… too much yogurt in baby’s hair… too much injustice… too much grief.” — Laura Van Norman, pastor at Abbey Way Church, Minneapolis
Sophomore Katie Storlie partook in a “Daniel fast,” a partial food fast. She ate only fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods during the day Friday. Storlie explained to attendees that fasting isn’t necessarily eliminating all food.
“To me, fasting should really be emptying yourself of something worldly in order to further fill yourself with God,” Storlie said. She gave examples of fasting from caffeine, television, or social media.
Freshman Anissa Lee shared that fasting allowed her to rely on her sustainer, the Lord. She began her fast in the prayer chapel on Bethel’s campus during the time she would usually eat breakfast.
“That was super impactful and … reminded me of why I’m doing this,” Lee said. “[I focused] my eyes on the Lord and turned to him.”
