A timely call back to a biblical practice

Fasting is not a relic of the past but a normal, powerful grace given by God. Scripture is true and trustworthy in every word, and it speaks plainly about fasting. Jesus assumed His disciples would fast and spoke to its heart posture: “When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face… and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16–18).

Our generation is hungry for power in prayer, clarity in mission, and purity in life. Our forefathers did not treat fasting as optional. Neither did the Lord or the apostles. The Church recovers strength when she recovers Scripture-shaped practices.

What fasting is—and is not

Fasting is the God-ordained abstaining from food for set times in order to humble ourselves, seek the Lord, and give focused time to prayer and the Word. It is a response of the heart to God’s call to return to Him. “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12).

Fasting is:

- A means of humbling ourselves before God

- A way to intensify prayer and sharpen spiritual focus

- A tangible expression of longing for Christ

Fasting is not:

- A way to earn favor or manipulate God

- A diet with a religious label

- A show of spirituality before others

Why fasting matters for mission, discipleship, and holiness

Fasting aligns the Church with the Spirit’s leading for mission. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’… Then after they had fasted and prayed… they sent them off” (Acts 13:2–3). The Spirit’s direction came in a worshiping, fasting community.

Fasting also awakens holiness and mercy. God’s chosen fast breaks yokes and opens our hands to the poor. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness… Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the poor and homeless into your home” (Isaiah 58:6–7). Jesus anchored fasting in bridal longing: “The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15).

Fasting in the pattern of Scripture

From cover to cover, fasting marks God’s people. Individuals and congregations sought the Lord in crisis, guidance, repentance, and sending.

- Ezra sought protection for the journey: “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:23).

- Esther called an absolute fast for deliverance: “Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day” (Esther 4:16).

- Judah fasted in crisis under Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20).

- Daniel sought understanding with fasting (Daniel 9–10).

- The early Church fasted when appointing elders (Acts 14:23) and sending missionaries (Acts 13:2–3).

- Anna served God “with fasting and prayers” (Luke 2:37).

How to begin—personal and church rhythms

Start with Scripture and a clear purpose. Anchor your fast in the Word so your hunger serves your hearing. Remember the Master’s pattern: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Practical steps:

- Set a specific focus: repentance, guidance, mission, or mercy

- Choose a length: one meal, 24 hours, or a day each week

- Pair fasting with extended prayer and time in the Word

- Keep it quiet, simple, and joy-filled (Matthew 6:16–18)

- Break the fast gently and gratefully

Different kinds of fasts you can practice

Scripture presents several patterns, giving freedom with wisdom.

- Normal fast: no food, water only, for a set time

- Partial fast: limit foods or meals (see Daniel 10)

- Absolute fast: no food and no water for very short, sober seasons (Esther 4)

- Corporate fast: a congregation or group seeking God together (Joel 2; Acts 13)

Guardrails for a faithful fast

Fasting must flow from humility and love. Keep it before the Father, not before men: “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:18).

Wise guardrails:

- Seek medical counsel if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or with health conditions

- Walk in unity in marriage and family rhythms

- Refuse legalism; food does not commend us to God (1 Corinthians 8)

- Keep justice central: share bread, relieve burdens, speak truth (Isaiah 58)

- Let worship, confession, Scripture, and simple generosity fill the space fasting creates

A vision for the next season

Imagine a church that fasts with expectancy and joy, not grim duty. Picture gospel advance bathed in hidden prayer and hunger for God’s glory. This is not a program but a culture shaped by the Word.

Ideas to adopt:

- A monthly 24-hour congregational fast for evangelism and discipleship

- Leadership fasting before major decisions and ministry launches

- Regular pre-outreach fasts as small groups and ministry teams

- Seasons of corporate repentance and renewal anchored in Isaiah 58

- Mission sending and elder appointment accompanied by fasting and prayer

Closing encouragement

Fasting is weakness offered to the God who delights to strengthen His people. In secret dependence, He gives public grace. In holy hunger, He advances the gospel through a humble church.

Fasting is bridal longing, not mere self-denial. Jesus tethered it to His bodily absence and our ache for His presence: “The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15). We fast because we love Him and because we want the world to know Him.

Fasting intersects spiritual warfare without theatrics. Daniel’s fasting coincided with delayed angelic conflict and eventual breakthrough (Daniel 10). The New Testament reminds us to pray constantly as our armor is tested: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Fasting does not replace the Word or prayer; it sharpens both.

Isaiah 58 confronts empty ritual by wedding fasting to justice. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness… Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the poor and homeless into your home” (Isaiah 58:6–7). A faithful fast loosens oppression, heals divisions, and fuels tangible mercy.

Longer fasts require unusual clarity and care. Moses and Elijah experienced forty-day fasts in unique, miraculous contexts; Jesus fasted forty days before His public ministry, “He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry” (Luke 4:2). Such durations are not normative without extraordinary calling and oversight.

Some manuscripts include “and fasting” in passages like Mark 9:29; others do not. The Church’s commitment to fasting does not rest on a single variant but on the broad, clear witness of Scripture across covenants and genres. Build convictions on what Scripture says plainly and pervasively.

Fasting can prepare us for the Lord’s Table without binding consciences. The Supper centers us on Christ’s finished work: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Some believers fast before Communion to elevate focus and reverence; others do not. Charity and discernment serve the body.

Consider practical expansions:

- Pair fasting with concerted intercession lists for lost neighbors, unreached peoples, and prodigals

- Establish quarterly multi-day church fasts focused on gospel advance and justice initiatives

- Encourage ministry leaders to plan fasts before budgets, hires, and new campuses

- Equip youth with simple partial fasts anchored in Scripture and parental wisdom

- Supplement food fasts with media simplicity, while keeping biblical fasting centered on food

Guard the heart against ascetic pride and performative spirituality. Severe self-treatment poses as wisdom yet lacks power against the flesh (Colossians 2). Fasting is a servant to grace, never a substitute for it.

Finally, weave fasting into sending and shepherding. Paul and Barnabas were entrusted to the Lord with prayer and fasting as elders were appointed (Acts 14:23). Marry that pattern to today’s elder selections, missionary commissioning, church planting, crisis response, and seasons of renewal. Hidden hunger before God will bear public fruit for the gospel.