Christian pastor urges return to fasting to counteract technology’s negative impact

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Amid the digital chaos of modern life, Nashville’s own Dr. Darren Whitehead is shining a spotlight on what he refers to as the “most neglected spiritual practice.” The senior pastor of Church of the City strongly advocates for fasting, a practice he believes might be crucial at this moment in time.

In his new book, The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most, Whitehead merges traditional fasting with a call to tackle our overwhelming digital consumption. He recently elaborated on this progressive idea, describing the need to redirect our focus from worldly distractions to a more profound connection with God.

“Fasting is not merely about food,” he explained, reflecting on Jesus’ own 40-day fast as a pivotal spiritual moment. At Church of the City, fasting is a communal effort, with congregants encouraged to engage in a 21-day prayer and fasting season each January. “I am definitely a proponent of helping people participate in a food fast several times a year,” he shared.

Whitehead pointed out a significant cultural shift in the last decade and a half. With the advent of technology granting us instant access to indulgences, he observed that people are often turning to their smartphones for comfort instead of nourishing their bodies. “Instead of going to food, we’re going to the phone,” he noted. Many use their devices as coping mechanisms during moments of anxiety or discomfort, often without even realizing it.

“You can unlock your phone in moments of distress and start doom scrolling,” he elaborated. These seemingly innocent distractions, like getting lost in cat videos on social media, could lead us to miss out on what really matters, particularly precious moments spent with loved ones.

“What am I missing as I observe my children because I’ve got my head buried in triviality instead of these precious, childhood years that are so fleeting?” Whitehead questions, urging us to examine how technology impacts not only our relationships with one another but also our connection with God. He expressed concern that constant digital engagement could inhibit our ability to listen to the Holy Spirit and be attuned to divine guidance.

The pastor’s observations extend to the effects technology has on vulnerable groups, particularly teenage girls. “Smartphones are having an enormous impact, particularly on teenage girls and it is decimating their self-esteem,” he warned, echoing sentiments about the social repercussions of tech addiction.

For Whitehead, the call to embark on a digital fast mirrors traditional fasting, encouraging us to take a step back from our devices and engage deeply not just with God, but with the people around us and our own inner selves. Listen to him explain the reasoning behind this vital practice…

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