Hungry for God: Why We Fast and How It Changes Us

I. More Than a Ritual: Why We Fast

Prayer and fasting are not about earning God’s favor or impressing others; they are about deepening our dependence on Him. Fasting creates intentional space to seek God, listen for His voice, and renew our spiritual focus.

Biblical fasting is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from food (and sometimes other good things) for a spiritual purpose. Throughout Scripture, God’s people fasted during seasons of repentance, humility, grief, and seeking God’s guidance. Fasting reminds us that God—not food, comfort, or control—is our true source of life.

Jesus assumed His followers would fast. He said, “When you fast…” not if you fast. He also warned us not to fast for attention, but to seek God sincerely and privately. Fasting is not about outward appearance; it is about inward transformation.

II. What Fasting Does to Us

1. Fasting Exposes Our True Appetites

More than almost any other spiritual discipline, fasting reveals what we rely on for comfort, security, and satisfaction. When distractions are removed, what is inside us often rises to the surface. This is not a failure—it is an invitation for God to heal misplaced dependence.

2. Fasting Trains Our Self-Control

Fasting reminds us that we can say “no” to our appetites and survive. Learning to go without strengthens our trust in God in every area of life.

3. Fasting Sharpens Our Hunger for God

Fasting is not merely abstaining from food; it is feasting on God. As physical hunger increases, fasting teaches us to turn that hunger into prayer, Scripture, and worship. Our desire for God becomes clearer and stronger.

Fasting intensifies our dependence on God by weakening our dependence on everything else.

III. Fasting with Intention: How to Begin

Step 1: Start with the “Why”

Ask God why He is leading you to fast. Fasting is always God-led and God-centered. Clear spiritual purpose brings focus and shapes meaningful prayer.

Step 2: Decide the “What” and the “How Long”

Before you begin, decide:

• How long will you fast?

• What will you fast from?

• How will you replace that time with prayer and Scripture?

Step 3: Prepare Your Heart, Not Just Your Schedule

• Ask God to search your heart

• Confess sin and receive forgiveness

• Approach fasting with humility and expectancy

• If you have health concerns, consult a physician

IV. Choosing Your Fast: What It Can Look Like

1. Partial Fast

Abstaining from certain foods (sweets, bread, caffeine, meat). A helpful starting point for beginners or those with health considerations.

2. Full Food Fast

Abstaining from all solid food for a set time while drinking water or clear liquids. This may range from one meal to a full day or longer, as God leads.

3. Non-Food Fast

Abstaining from things like social media, entertainment, or screens. These fasts can powerfully refocus attention on God and are often paired with food fasts.

V. The Goal Is Devotion, Not Deprivation

There is no “more spiritual” kind of fast. What matters is obedience, humility, and a sincere desire to seek God. Fasting is meant to draw us closer to Him—not distract us with rules or comparisons.

No matter what kind of fast you choose—or even if you choose not to fast—seek God intentionally through prayer.

The goal is not deprivation; the goal is devotion.