Fasting is an important discipline in the life of a believer leading to intimate time of prayer and worship with God. Fasting humbles the flesh and thereby exalts the spirit to be more attentive to the voice and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Underlying the SUM curriculum and Biblical Studies program is the “Servant of All” (SOA) Philosophy. The SOA Philosophy comes from the words of Jesus: “…and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all” [Mark 10:44—ASV]. This biblical injunction of Jesus Christ to be a servant of all forms the backbone of SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary’s educational philosophy.
The SOA Philosophy embraces spiritual, intellectual, financial, social, and physical development, and emphasizes the leading of the Holy Spirit in growing student discipline, passion, and character. In compliance with the SOA Philosophy, students are encouraged to have a consistent devotional life including fasting, prayer, and Bible study while earning their degree.
Each term a season of 21 days of prayer and fasting is set aside as intentional times of personal growth and corporately seeking God. Participants are challenged to greater intimacy with Christ through fasting, prayer, worship, and the proclamation of the Gospel. Spiritual Emphasis is also SUM’s traditional preview Campus Days. During this time, prospective students experience the life of a SUM student through classroom visits, evangelistic opportunities, dorm stay and chapel.
Fasting provides an opportunity to break with the regular patterns of life and devote extended periods of time to prayer, worship and the study of the word. By refraining from food for a season, participants experienced enhanced times of intimacy with the Lord. Fasting is never a way to control or manipulate God, rather, it becomes a means of crucifying the flesh so that the participant is able to focus on the activity of the spirit in everyday life.
Chancellor George Neau’s Notes on Fasting