What is fasting?
Giving up something to seek direction from God
Biblical fasting is the intentional act of abstaining from food (and sometimes other comforts) for a spiritual purpose—namely, to seek the Lord with greater focus, humility, and dependence. Throughout Scripture, fasting is not presented as a ritual to earn God’s favor, but as a posture of surrender before Him. In Joel 2:12–13, the Lord calls His people, “Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning… Rend your heart and not your garments.” This passage makes clear that true fasting is about inward repentance and wholehearted return. Likewise, in Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus teaches that fasting should be done sincerely and quietly before the Father, not for public recognition. Biblical fasting, then, is about drawing near to God in humility and authenticity.
Fasting is important because it exposes our dependence on physical things and redirects our hunger toward God. When we fast, we are reminded that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus Himself modeled this during His forty days in the wilderness, showing that spiritual strength flows from communion with the Father. Spiritually, fasting sharpens discernment, deepens prayer, and cultivates self-control. In Acts 13:2–3, the early church fasted and worshiped before the Lord, and in that place of fasting the Holy Spirit gave clear direction for ministry. Fasting creates space to hear God more clearly and align ourselves with His will rather than our own appetites.
Ultimately, fasting aligns our hearts with the Lord because it reorders our desires. It shifts us from self-sufficiency to God-sufficiency. Ezra 8:21 records Ezra proclaiming a fast “that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a safe journey.” Fasting humbles us, tenderizes our hearts, and increases our sensitivity to sin, conviction, and the Spirit’s leading. As we deny the flesh, we strengthen the spirit (Galatians 5:16–17), learning to hunger for righteousness more than comfort. In this way, fasting becomes less about going without food and more about feasting on God’s presence—cultivating intimacy, dependence, and wholehearted devotion to Him.
Prayer & Fasting Devotional Week 1
“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NLT)
Reflection
Whether fasting is a new experience for you, or something you have done multiple times in the past, the purpose is the same; deny our flesh and focus on the spirit and what Jesus wants to do in our lives. Something shifts in us when we put everything else aside and just spend time with our Savior. There are many things that we can fast from. People have fasted from their screen time, from sugar, or caffeine, and all are great if we use the time that we would be indulging in those things to instead dive into the word of God and into prayer. However, there is something powerful about fasting from food, something that sustains the flesh, but instead allowing Jesus to sustain us. Fasting is an opportunity to allow the Spirit of God to meet you in a new way. It is a chance for Jesus to remind you of his great love for you and to take your relationship with him deeper.
Fasting is not something that we do to show off or prove something to anyone else. Rather, it is an opportunity to retrain our bodies to prioritize the spirit over the flesh. It is a reminder that God alone should be our source for all things. Jesus gave us this example when he was fasting for 40 days in the desert and was tempted by Satan. It is an intentional reminder that our reliance is on “every word that comes from the mouth of God”. As you take this time to fast from food, instead devour his word and see how he will sustain you, as you grow and deepen your relationship with him.
Practice
Take this time also to train your body to be led by the Spirit. When the hunger pangs start, lean into Jesus! Dive into his word, spend time in prayer, turn on the worship music and get ready for what God wants to show you, as you choose to be obedient to him. We have multiple resources on our app and website – a reading plan, prayer stations and a prayer guide, that can be utilized during this time of fasting. If you need help or support in any way, especially if this is new to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to your impact group leader or one of the pastoral staff. We
are here to support and encourage you on this journey.
Prayer
God, remind me that you are my source. God, I ask that you and only you would sustain me. As I create this space in my life to deepen my relationship with you through fasting, give me the strength and self-control to not give into temptation, but to feast on your word. I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Reflection
Whether fasting is a new experience for you, or something you have done multiple times in the past, the purpose is the same; deny our flesh and focus on the spirit and what Jesus wants to do in our lives. Something shifts in us when we put everything else aside and just spend time with our Savior. There are many things that we can fast from. People have fasted from their screen time, from sugar, or caffeine, and all are great if we use the time that we would be indulging in those things to instead dive into the word of God and into prayer. However, there is something powerful about fasting from food, something that sustains the flesh, but instead allowing Jesus to sustain us. Fasting is an opportunity to allow the Spirit of God to meet you in a new way. It is a chance for Jesus to remind you of his great love for you and to take your relationship with him deeper.
Fasting is not something that we do to show off or prove something to anyone else. Rather, it is an opportunity to retrain our bodies to prioritize the spirit over the flesh. It is a reminder that God alone should be our source for all things. Jesus gave us this example when he was fasting for 40 days in the desert and was tempted by Satan. It is an intentional reminder that our reliance is on “every word that comes from the mouth of God”. As you take this time to fast from food, instead devour his word and see how he will sustain you, as you grow and deepen your relationship with him.
Practice
Take this time also to train your body to be led by the Spirit. When the hunger pangs start, lean into Jesus! Dive into his word, spend time in prayer, turn on the worship music and get ready for what God wants to show you, as you choose to be obedient to him. We have multiple resources on our app and website – a reading plan, prayer stations and a prayer guide, that can be utilized during this time of fasting. If you need help or support in any way, especially if this is new to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to your impact group leader or one of the pastoral staff. We
are here to support and encourage you on this journey.
Prayer
God, remind me that you are my source. God, I ask that you and only you would sustain me. As I create this space in my life to deepen my relationship with you through fasting, give me the strength and self-control to not give into temptation, but to feast on your word. I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.