Jesus says “when you fast”, not “if you fast.” He expected His followers to practice this discipline. And He tells us that fasting is between you and God. It is not for show. It is not for social media. It is a private, sacred conversation with your Father.
Before you fast, you need to prepare your body and your spirit. Physically, begin reducing your food intake a day or two before your fast. Drink plenty of water. If you have medical conditions, consult your doctor, God is not glorified when we harm the bodies He gave us.
Spiritually, ask God what He wants to accomplish through this fast. Set specific prayer targets. Write them down. A fast without focus is just hunger.
In the Old Testament, fasting is associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God’s intervention. Ezra fasted before leading the exiles back to Jerusalem. Esther called for a corporate fast before approaching the king. Nehemiah fasted when he heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem. In every case, fasting was accompanied by prayer and a specific petition before God.
In the New Testament, Jesus began His ministry with a 40-day fast. The early church fasted before making important decisions.
The direction of the entire church changed during a time of fasting. That is how powerful this discipline is.
During our January corporate fast last year, we had a family who had been struggling with infertility for seven years. They joined the fast with a specific prayer for breakthrough. Within three months, they received the news they had been praying for. I am not saying fasting is magic, but when we humble ourselves and seek God with everything we have, He moves in ways we cannot explain.
Another testimony: a brother in our congregation was facing a layoff and mounting debt. During the fast, he felt God leading him to start a business he had been putting off for years. He stepped out in faith, and today that business is thriving and employing others in our community. God used the fast to strip away fear and replace it with faith. That is what fasting does, it clears the noise so you can hear God’s voice.
God’s fast is not just about personal blessing. It is about justice. It is about freedom. It is about being so filled with God’s heart that you cannot help but pour out on others. Come with expectation. Come with specific prayers. Come with a heart that says, “God, I am all Yours.” He will meet you there.
Father, we come hungry for You. Teach us to fast with purpose, to pray with expectation, and to trust You for the breakthrough. Loose the chains of injustice. Untie the cords of the yoke. Set the oppressed free. And as we deny our flesh, fill us with Your Spirit in a way that overflows to everyone around us. We believe You for breakthrough, in our lives, in our families, and in our community. In Jesus’ name, Amen.