Fasting is a spiritual practice we often overlook. Yet throughout the Bible, God’s people fasted during times of seeking Him, repenting, and needing direction. Jesus didn’t say if we fast—He said when. That tells us fasting should be a regular part of our walk with God.
Let’s take a closer look at why fasting matters and how we can approach it with the right heart.
Why We Should Fast
1. To Draw Closer to God
Fasting helps us clear away distractions so we can focus on the Lord. When we deny our flesh for a time, we make space for deeper prayer and worship.
James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Fasting doesn’t twist God’s arm—it prepares our hearts to receive more of Him.
2. To Humble Ourselves
Fasting is an act of humility. In Psalm 35:13, David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting.” When we fast, we admit we need God more than food, comfort, or anything else. We let go of pride and open ourselves to His correction and guidance.
3. For Spiritual Breakthrough
There are times when we need answers, direction, or freedom from something that’s been weighing us down. Jesus said in Matthew 17:21, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Some strongholds require more than ordinary prayer—they require fasting too.
4. To Repent and Seek God’s Mercy
In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh fasted when they heard God’s warning, and God had mercy on them (Jonah 3:5-10). Fasting is a way we can show true sorrow for sin and seek God’s forgiveness with all our hearts.
How We Should Fast
1. With the Right Heart
Jesus warned us not to fast for show. In Matthew 6:16-18, He said:
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance… But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret.”
We fast for God—not for praise or attention. Let’s keep our fasting between us and the Lord.
2. Start Small if You’re New
You don’t have to begin with a long fast. Start with one meal or a day. During that time, read Scripture, pray, and stay focused on God. Drink water and listen to your body. The goal isn’t to harm yourself—it’s to surrender your desires and turn your heart toward the Lord.
3. Set a Clear Purpose
Don’t fast just to say you did it. Ask: Why am I fasting? Are you seeking direction? Are you praying for someone? Moreso, are you asking God to break a habit or draw you closer to Him?
Having a clear purpose will keep your mind focused and your prayers intentional.
4. Use That Time for Prayer and the Word
Fasting without prayer is just a diet. Replace mealtime with quiet time. Read passages that draw you to God. Psalms, Isaiah, and the Gospels are great places to start. Talk to God like you would a close friend—honestly, humbly, and expectantly.
Types of Fasting
There’s more than one way to fast. Here are a few we see in Scripture:
- Complete Fast: No food, only water. (Jesus fasted this way in Matthew 4.)
- Partial Fast: Limiting certain foods (like Daniel’s fast in Daniel 10:3).
- Time-Based Fast: Skipping one or two meals a day to seek the Lord.
- Non-Food Fasts: Giving up distractions like social media, entertainment, or other things that take up too much of your attention.
When to Fast
Fasting isn’t just for emergencies. We can fast:
- When we need wisdom
- When we want to grow closer to God
- When we feel spiritually dry
- When we’re interceding for someone else
- As part of regular spiritual discipline
Final Encouragement
Fasting may not be easy, but it’s worth it. It sharpens our spiritual senses and brings our hearts into deeper alignment with God’s will. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:6,
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Let’s hunger more for the things of God than the things of the world. Let’s make fasting part of how we seek Him with all our hearts.
Take that first step. Set a time. Prepare your heart. And fast—not to impress God—but to draw nearer to Him. He is faithful to meet us there.
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