Fasting: The Forgotten Path to Spiritual Breakthrough
Have you ever felt spiritually stuck? Maybe you've been praying consistently, attending church regularly, and even giving generously—yet something still feels missing. You're longing for that mountaintop moment with God, but it seems elusive.
What if your breakthrough isn't found in fighting harder or climbing higher, but in drawing closer to God through a spiritual discipline that many Christians have forgotten?
What is Fasting and Why Don't More Christians Practice It?
Fasting is the voluntary choice to abstain from food for spiritual purposes for a set amount of time. It's choosing to be hungry because we are hungry for God.
Surprisingly, only 21% of Christians participate in some form of fasting, despite it being mentioned 77 times in the Bible (even more than baptism, which is mentioned 75 times). Why the disconnect? Simply put: fasting is difficult and uncomfortable. It goes radically against our flesh—our human nature that opposes God and is driven by selfish desires.
We love food. We organize our social lives around it. We celebrate holidays with it. Our business meetings, social gatherings, and casual get-togethers all revolve around eating. It's no wonder that nearly 40% of Americans are classified as obese—we have a deep attachment to food.
Biblical Examples of Fasting That Show Its Power
Throughout Scripture, we see powerful examples of fasting:
- Moses fasted for 40 days
- Esther fasted for three days to save her people
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fasted from certain foods for 10 days
- Elijah fasted for 40 days
- Paul fasted after his Damascus Road experience
- The disciples fasted when making important decisions
In Judges 19-20, we see a powerful example where Israel faced defeat in battle twice, losing 40,000 men. Only after they stopped fighting, wept, offered sacrifices, and fasted did God speak and give them victory.
What Spiritual Benefits Does Fasting Provide?
Increased Awareness of God's Presence
Fasting sharpens our spiritual awareness. It removes distractions and creates space for deeper intimacy with God, helping us sense His presence and nearness in ways we might miss in our busy, food-focused lives.
Humbling Our Soul
Fasting is an act of desperation and dependence upon God. It reminds us that we are not self-sufficient but dependent on Him for everything. As Ezra demonstrated before the dangerous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, fasting acknowledges our need for divine protection.
Discerning God's Will
In Acts 13:2-3, we see the early church leaders fasting and praying when the Holy Spirit directs them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for ministry—a decision that shaped the course of the early church. Fasting quiets the noise of the world, making it easier to hear God's guidance.
Bringing Favor in Difficult Situations
When Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem's broken walls, he responded with prayer and fasting, seeking divine favor before attempting to rebuild the city. Fasting can move God's hand in situations where human effort is insufficient.
Power Over Demonic Forces
In Mark 9:28-29, when the disciples couldn't cast out a demon, Jesus explained that "this kind can come out only by prayer [and fasting]." Certain spiritual battles require the combined forces of fasting and prayer to break strongholds in the spiritual realm.
How Do I Start Fasting?
If you're new to fasting or haven't practiced it in a while, here are some simple steps to begin:
1. Define Your Purpose
Different types of fasts serve different purposes:
- A seeking fast: To deepen your connection with God
- A favor fast: When you need God to do what you cannot do yourself
- A discernment fast: To clear your mind and hear God's voice
- A slump fast: When you feel stuck in a spiritual rut
- A breakthrough fast: For significant spiritual battles
- A gratitude fast: To focus on God's goodness
- A dream fast: When pursuing a God-given vision
2. Prepare Your Heart
- Confess your sins (Psalm 66:18)
- Ask God to cleanse your heart (1 John 1:9)
- Check your motives
- Expect opposition and pray for strength
3. Choose the Type and Length of Fast
Types of fasts include:
- Normal fast: No food, only water (Luke 4:2)
- Partial fast: Restricting certain foods (Daniel 10:3)
- Absolute fast: No food or water for a short time (Ezra 10:6)
Biblical fasts lasted for various periods: 1 day, 3 days, 10 days, 21 days, or 40 days. If you're new to fasting, start small—perhaps with one meal—and build up gradually.
4. During Your Fast
- Replace food with prayer and Scripture
- When hunger strikes, open your Bible instead of the refrigerator
- Journal what God is doing through this time
5. Ending Your Fast
- End with gratitude and worship
- Reintroduce food slowly, especially after extended fasts
- Reflect on what God may be calling you to do next
Remember, fasting isn't about earning God's favor. Jesus said, "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:18). You don't need to announce your fast to others.
What If I Can't Fast Food for Medical Reasons?
If you have medical conditions that prevent you from fasting food, consider giving up something else that will cause you to depend on God. The principle is to sacrifice something meaningful that will redirect your focus to God whenever you think about it.
You might also consider modified fasts like giving up certain types of food (meat, sweets, or processed foods) rather than all food.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to take a step toward experiencing more of God's presence through fasting:
- Choose one day this week to fast one meal (or more if you're experienced)
- Define your purpose—what are you seeking God for?
- During the time you would normally eat, read Scripture and pray
- Journal what God reveals to you during this time
Ask yourself:
- What spiritual battles am I facing that might require the combined power of prayer and fasting?
- How might regular fasting change my relationship with God?
- What dependencies in my life might be hindering my spiritual growth?
Remember, Christianity was never meant to be comfortable or fought alone. Just as climbers don't ascend Mount Everest by themselves, we need each other in this spiritual journey. Share your fasting experience with a trusted friend who can encourage and pray for you.
When Jesus said "when you fast" rather than "if you fast," He assumed this would be a regular practice in our lives. Perhaps it's time to rediscover this powerful spiritual discipline that can lead us to those mountaintop moments we're longing for.