Fasting and prayer are powerful tools used by people of faith to deepen their spiritual connection and seek guidance from God. Fasting involves denying oneself food and, sometimes, fluids for a set period, while prayer is the act of communicating with God, expressing gratitude, and making requests. These practices are often used together to focus the mind and heart on God, allowing one to hear His voice more clearly.

There are different types of fasts that one can undertake, each with its own level of intensity and purpose. A dry fast, or complete fast, involves abstaining from both food and water, and is often done for a short duration due to its intensity. A water-only fast, as the name suggests, involves consuming only water, while a partial fast, such as the Daniel fast, involves abstaining from certain types of food, often meat, delicacies, and rich foods, and consuming only vegetables and water (or any other food variations). There is also, corporate fasting, which is often done in a group setting, usually in church, where the congregation fasts collectively for a specific purpose, such as repentance or revival.

People fast for various reasons, whether it’s to seek God’s guidance in decision-making, to repent and draw closer to Him, for deliverance when faced with challenges and obstacles, to rebuke and denounce demonic spirits and oppositions, or to intercede for others. During a fast, it is crucial to deny fleshly desires and submit to God’s will, as this act of surrender brings one into a place of humility and dependence on God, allowing Him to work in powerful ways. When accompanied by prayer, fasting becomes a transformative experience. It is a time to seek God’s guidance, to listen for His plans, and to align our desires with His. Through fasting and prayer, we demonstrate our dependence on God and our willingness to sacrifice our earthly comforts to receive His blessings and guidance.

The benefits of fasting and praying are abundant and include: a deeper and stronger relationship with God and clearer understanding of His will, improved focus and discipline, a heightened sense of spiritual lucidity, awakening, and focus, a deeper understanding of God’s word, as well as a sense of community when done collectively (corporate fast). Fasting can also bring about physical benefits, such as improved health and a sense of discipline and self-control.

What does the bible say about fasting?

There are over 40 verses in the Bible about fasting. One of the most important scriptures about fasting comes from Isaiah 58:6-13, which states “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness. If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones. You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of streets to dwell In” (NKJV). Based on this passage, it is not sufficient to simply abstain from food, restrict certain activities, and pray during these periods of fasting, it is also very important to humbly serve others (helping those who are less fortunate, comforting those who are brokenhearted, interceding for others’ in prayer, and so on) for there lies many blessings and breakthroughs.

Furthermore, the Bible emphasizes the importance of fasting to be seen only by God and not for self-glory, to appear righteous before men (and women). In other words, it is never okay to brag about fasting to others or intentionally appear frail and weak to attract attention, for it is not pleasing to God. With the exception of corporate fasts, fasting and prayer are supposed to be personal experiences, done in secret, between a person and God. This is noted on Matthew 6:16-18, which states: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (NKJV).

As you consider your own journey, remember that fasting and prayer are not just about denying yourself physically, but about realigning your heart and mind with God’s perfect will for your life.

prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving us an avenue, through prayer and fasting, to commune with you, strengthen our faith, and serve others. May our heart postures be humble and committed to you. Align our desires with your good and perfect will for our lives; and may our eyes ever remain focused on you. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Additional Bible verses about fasting and their purposes:

Isaiah 58:3-14-Fasting that pleases God.

Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29- Fasting to cast out certain demonic strongholds

Joel 2:12-17– Fasting for repentance

Matthew 6:16-18-Fasting to be seen by God

Ezra 8:23-Fasting and prayer for God’s protection

1 Corinthians 7:5-Abstinence during fasting (if there’s a mutual agreement)

Esther 4:16-Corporate fast for deliverance

Psalms 35:13-Fasting for healing

Daniel 9:3-19-Fasting for revelation, repentance, and intercession