Fasting

What Fasting Looks Like – And Why It Matters

Today I want to talk about fasting—what it looks like, how we do it, and why it’s so important in our walk with God.

There is so much in Scripture about fasting, and the more I’ve practiced it, the more it has transformed my relationship with the Lord. It’s changed how I pray, how I read and understand God’s Word, and it’s often when I hear Him most clearly.

That said, I didn’t always fast consistently. I used to be all over the place with it—and I could feel the difference. The weeks I fasted were more spiritually aligned; the weeks I missed my fasting day, I felt off. And I noticed something else too: the enemy tries harder to attack on fasting days. That, in itself, confirms how powerful fasting really is—and how much it threatens the enemy’s schemes.

Fasting in the Bible

Fasting is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible—through both the Old and New Testaments.

• Moses fasted for a total of 120 days—two separate 40-day fasts on Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments, and another 40 days as he pleaded with God for mercy over the Israelites.
• Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, resisting every temptation. His fast fulfilled what Israel could not do—and what we, in our own strength, cannot do either.

Jesus gave us the ultimate example. That’s why it’s important that we, too, practice regular fasting—denying our flesh and becoming more like Him.

Why Fasting Matters

Fasting is more than just abstaining from food—it’s an act of surrender.

It leads to:

• Spiritual growth
• Breakthroughs
• Victory in areas where you’ve been stuck
• Stronger prayer life
• Clearer guidance from God
• Deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit
• Repentance and renewal

Fasting is a powerful way of laying down our desires and allowing the Holy Spirit to take over. It teaches us humility and dependence on God.

Fasting in Community

In our house church, we often fast together—and the unity and power that come from fasting as one body is incredible.

Whether done individually or in community, fasting is a spiritual discipline that brings you closer to God. But it must be approached with the right heart: with prayer, humility, and a desire to grow—not to seek recognition or look “more spiritual.”

If you ever find your motives slipping into self-righteousness, pause and pray. Let the Holy Spirit realign your heart. Fasting is not about self-glorification—it’s about full surrender.

What Fasting Does for the Soul

Fasting breaks bondage.

It renews the heart.

It heals wounds and fills empty spaces with the Holy Spirit.

It builds discipline, grace, and spiritual strength.

It breaks off oppression and clears the path for deeper connection with the Lord.

Fasting puts us in a raw, restful, and surrendered state of being—making room for God to move more deeply in our lives. When we fast, we become more vulnerable—and that’s where transformation begins.

How to Fast

There are many ways to fast:

• From food
• From drinks
• From electronics
• Or a combination of all the above

What matters is that whatever you’re giving up, you’re giving it up wholeheartedly—and using that time and space to meet with God.

You might fast for:

• 1 day
• 3 days
• 7 days
• 10 days
• 21 days
• Even 40 days

Whatever the length, give that time completely to God.

Spend it in prayer, reading Scripture, journaling, worship, or going through devotionals or sermons. The key is intentionality.

Fasting Will Change Your Walk

I can honestly say that fasting has changed my walk with Jesus in ways I never could’ve imagined until I experienced it myself.

It deepened my prayer life.

It sharpened my spiritual hearing.

It broke chains in areas I didn’t even know I was bound.

And it keeps drawing me closer and closer to the heart of God.

Final Encouragement

If you’ve never fasted before, start small. Pray about what God is leading you to fast from—and for how long. Don’t be afraid of it. It’s not about perfection—it’s about surrender.

And if you’ve fasted before but fallen out of rhythm, this is your nudge to step back in.

God is always inviting you to go deeper with Him.

So ask yourself:

What could shift in my life if I began to fast regularly?

What would happen in my heart, my family, my calling—if I laid down my flesh to make more room for Him?

Let’s find out—together.

Fasting will change your walk and prayer time in ways you can’t imagine until you experience it.