Level 2: Grow Daily — Spiritual Habits
Lesson 6: The Discipline of Fasting
Fasting is a biblical spiritual discipline that helps believers humble themselves before God, seek Him with greater focus, and depend on Him more deeply through prayer and surrender.
Focus
Understanding fasting as a biblical practice of humility, prayer, focus, surrender, and deeper dependence on God.
In Lesson 5, we learned about practicing biblical meditation. Meditation helps us slow down and reflect deeply on God’s Word. Fasting is another spiritual discipline that helps us slow down, deny the flesh, and seek God with greater focus.
Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God and making room for deeper prayer, repentance, dependence, and spiritual sensitivity.
When practiced with the right heart, fasting reminds us that we need God more than we need physical comfort, routine, or temporary satisfaction.
Key Scriptures
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.”
Matthew 6:16, NKJV
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.”
Matthew 6:17, NKJV
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:6, NKJV
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
Acts 13:2, NKJV
“So, when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 13:3, NKJV
Core Teaching
Fasting is a biblical practice where a believer willingly denies the body in order to seek God with greater focus. Most commonly, fasting involves abstaining from food for a set time while giving that time to prayer, Scripture, worship, repentance, and surrender.
In Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus speaks about fasting as something His followers would practice. He says, “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” This shows that fasting was expected to be part of the spiritual life of God’s people.
However, Jesus also warns against fasting for appearance. Some people in His day fasted in a way that drew attention to themselves. They wanted others to notice their sacrifice. But biblical fasting is not about being seen by people. It is about humbling the heart before God.
Fasting does not make us more righteous than others. It does not force God to answer our prayers according to our will. It is not a spiritual performance. Instead, fasting helps us say, “Lord, I need You more than I need comfort. I desire Your will more than my own appetite.”
Isaiah 58 shows that God is concerned not only with the act of fasting, but with the heart behind it. God rejected fasting that was outwardly religious but inwardly unchanged. True fasting should lead to humility, justice, compassion, repentance, and obedience.
This means fasting should not be separated from transformation. If we fast but remain prideful, harsh, selfish, or disobedient, we have missed the purpose. A biblical fast should soften the heart, deepen prayer, and lead us closer to God’s will.
In Acts 13:2–3, the early church fasted and prayed while seeking the Lord. During that time, the Holy Spirit gave direction concerning Barnabas and Saul. This reminds us that fasting can be connected to spiritual discernment, ministry direction, and surrender to God’s calling.
Fasting is especially meaningful during seasons of critical decision-making, repentance, ministry preparation, or renewed hunger for God. It helps quiet competing desires so the heart can seek the Lord more intentionally.
The discipline of fasting teaches us that we are not ruled by our appetites. In Christ, we can bring our desires under submission and seek God above temporary comfort.
Personal Application
Before beginning a fast, it is important to ask: “Why am I fasting?” A fast without spiritual purpose can become nothing more than skipping a meal. Biblical fasting should be connected to prayer and seeking God.
You may fast because you desire deeper intimacy with God, need wisdom for a decision, are praying for someone, are repenting over sin, are seeking direction, or want to grow in spiritual discipline.
Start wisely and humbly. If you are new to fasting, you may begin with one meal or a short period of time. Use the time you would normally spend eating to pray, read Scripture, worship, or journal.
Also use wisdom concerning your health. Some people should not fast from food because of medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, or other health concerns. In such cases, it may be better to fast from something else, such as media, entertainment, unnecessary spending, or another comfort that regularly competes for your attention.
The goal is not to harm the body. The goal is to humble the heart and seek God with focus.
Remember This Truth
Fasting is not about trying to impress God or people. It is about humbling your heart, seeking God, and depending on Him more deeply.
A Simple Fasting Pattern
If you are unsure how to begin, use this simple pattern to guide your time of fasting.
The F.A.S.T. Pattern
- Focus your purpose: Identify why you are fasting. Are you seeking God for wisdom, repentance, direction, breakthrough, or deeper devotion?
- Abstain with humility: Choose what you will temporarily give up and do it quietly before God, not for attention.
- Seek God in prayer: Use the time of fasting to pray, read Scripture, worship, and listen for God’s guidance through His Word.
- Trust God with the outcome: Release the results to God and surrender your desires to His will.
This pattern helps keep fasting focused on God rather than merely focused on what you are giving up.
Practical Ways to Begin Fasting
If you are new to fasting, begin with a simple and realistic approach.
Beginner-Friendly Options
- One-meal fast: Skip one meal and use that time for prayer and Scripture.
- Half-day fast: Fast for part of the day while focusing on prayer and spiritual reflection.
- Media fast: Set aside social media, television, or entertainment for a specific time and seek God instead.
- Comfort fast: Temporarily give up something you commonly turn to for comfort and turn to God in prayer.
- Prayer-focused fast: Choose a specific prayer burden and dedicate focused time to intercession.
If fasting from food is not wise for your health, choose a non-food fast that still helps you deny distraction and seek God intentionally.
Questions to Ask Before You Fast
Preparation Questions
- What is my spiritual purpose for this fast?
- What will I give up, and for how long?
- What Scripture will I meditate on during the fast?
- What prayer burden will I bring before God?
- How will I use the time I would normally spend eating or engaging in that activity?
- Is this fast wise for my current health and responsibilities?
- How can I remain humble and avoid drawing attention to myself?
Reflection Questions
- Have you practiced biblical fasting before? If so, what did you learn?
- What distractions, habits, or comforts often compete with your attention toward God?
- What spiritual burden or area of your life would you like to bring before God with greater focus?
- How does Matthew 6:16–18 shape your understanding of humility in fasting?
- What type of fast would be realistic and wise for you to begin with?
Action Step
Plan one simple fast this week. Choose a fast that is spiritually meaningful and physically wise.
Complete these statements:
- The purpose of my fast is: __________________________
- I will fast from: __________________________
- The time or day of my fast will be: __________________________
- The Scripture I will focus on is: __________________________
- The prayer burden I will bring before God is: __________________________
During the fast, use your time to pray, read Scripture, worship, and surrender your heart to God.
Prayer
Father, thank You for teaching me to seek You with humility and focus. Help me understand fasting in a biblical and balanced way. Guard my heart from pride, performance, or religious appearance. Teach me to deny distractions and draw nearer to You. As I use this time of fasting to deepen my prayer life, strengthen my dependence on You, and align my heart with Your will. Lead me with wisdom, humility, and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.