Fasting explained
From Acts we’ve seen that the Church, under the leadership of the Apostles fasted and prayed together at certain critical junctions, especially when selecting or sending out workers for Jesus Christ. Should we still fast, why and when?
Through the Scripture
Matthew 6:16-18 ESV “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 9:14-15 ESV Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” [15] And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Acts 13:1-3 ESV Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] 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.” [3] Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 14:19-23 ESV But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. [20] But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. [21] When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. [23] And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Mark 9:28-29 KJV And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? [29] And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Weekly Devotions
Monday - The Motive of Prayer
Today's Verse When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in synagogues and where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:5
Reflection Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, addresses significant spiritual practices, including prayer, placing His main emphasis upon motive. He teaches that when we pray, it should not be to impress people or to be seen by them. Hypocrites love to pray publicly to gain human recognition, and Jesus explicitly states that such outward displays are the only reward they will ever receive. His teaching makes it clear that prayer is not a measure of our spiritual maturity as perceived by others, but an act of sincere devotion to God. Jesus calls us to a deeper, more authentic engagement with His Father, one that seeks His approval alone, moving beyond superficial displays.
Additional Scripture
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Life Application It is crucial to examine our motives when engaging in any spiritual practice. Do we pray, serve, or give with a genuine desire to honour God, or is there a subtle longing for human praise or recognition? We must be self-aware of any tendencies toward self-righteousness or seeking glory for ourselves. Our spiritual practices should be between us and the Lord, not a performance for others. Let us strive for humility and authenticity, seeking only the approval of our Heavenly Father.
Prayer points
To search our hearts and reveal any hidden pride or desire for human recognition in our prayers.
To help us desire God's approval alone, above all worldly acclaim.
To cultivate a spirit of true humility in every aspect of our spiritual lives.
To enable us to pray with sincerity and genuine devotion, reflecting a heart solely focused on Him.
Tuesday - The Intimacy of Private Prayer
Today's Verse But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father who sees everything will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Reflection Jesus moves from warning against public displays to instructing us on the nature of true prayer: it is a private and personal communion with God. He calls us to intentionally withdraw and find a secluded place, metaphorically "shutting the door behind you," to eliminate distractions and external pressures. In this intimate space, we are to pray to His Father, who is described as seeing everything, including what is done in secret. The promise of reward from God for private prayer underscores its value and His desire for an unhindered relationship with us. This teaching encourages us to take the initiative and stir ourselves up to pray, making it a consistent practice in our lives.
Additional Scripture
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. Acts 16:13
The disciples reported this to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Acts 16:2 (The sermon refers to Acts 16 generally, noting Paul sought places where prayer was already happening and lived in an attitude of prayer, suggesting a proactive and consistent prayer life).
Life Application Cultivating a consistent practice of private prayer is essential for deepening our relationship with God. We should seek out a dedicated time and space each day where we can be alone with Him, free from interruptions. This is where we can be most vulnerable and transparent, pouring out our hearts without fear of judgment. His Father sees and hears our every secret prayer, and through this discipline, we align ourselves with His purposes, opening up opportunities for breakthrough and the manifestation of His supernatural power.
Prayer points
To ignite in us a deep desire for secret communion with His Father.
To help us establish a consistent time and place for private prayer.
To enable us to quiet our minds and hearts to truly listen to Him in our prayer closet.
To trust that His Father, who sees in secret, will hear and reward our devotion.
Wednesday - The Sincerity of Meaningful Prayer
Today's Verse When you pray, don’t babble on and on as some religions do. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask it. Matthew 6:7-8
Reflection Jesus continues His teaching on prayer by addressing the manner of our communication with God. He warns against "babbling on and on" or offering repetitive prayers, like a mantra, which can be a characteristic of some other religions. The implication is that such prayer can become mechanical and lacking in genuine meaning or sincerity. Jesus liberates us from the notion that we need to use many words or persuasive arguments to move God, because His Father knows exactly what we need even before we ask Him. This profound truth allows for a more direct, heartfelt, and intense prayer life, focusing on meaning and relationship rather than rote repetition. His omniscience means He fully comprehends our situations and desires.
Life Application Our prayers should be characterised by sincerity and meaning, not by length or endless repetition. Understanding that God is omniscient and already knows our needs should give us confidence to approach Him authentically. We are freed from trying to manipulate Him with words and can instead focus on pouring out our hearts in genuine conversation. Let us strive to pray with intensity and purpose, rather than habituating perpetual repetitive prayers. This means engaging our hearts and minds fully, trusting in His perfect knowledge and love.
Prayer points
To help us pray with sincerity and true meaning, avoiding empty repetition.
To deepen our trust in His omniscience, knowing He understands our needs before we voice them.
To empower us to pray with intensity and heartfelt devotion.
To free us from any tendency to babble or try to manipulate God with many words.
Thursday - The Motive of Fasting
Today's Verse And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:16
Reflection Just as with prayer, Jesus turns His attention to the motive behind fasting. He cautions against looking gloomy or disfiguring one's face specifically to signal to others that one is fasting. This outward show, much like the public prayers of hypocrites, is done for human recognition and praise. Jesus declares that those who fast in this manner have already received their reward – the temporary approval of people. Fasting, like prayer, is not a badge to wear or something to brag about; it is a spiritual discipline intended for God alone. Jesus is concerned with the purity of our hearts, seeking a genuine connection that transcends external performance.
Additional Scripture
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 (The Pharisee's boast about fasting twice a week serves as a clear example of fasting for outward display and self-righteousness).
Life Application When we choose to fast, it is crucial to guard our hearts against the desire for human recognition. The purpose of fasting is not to gain admiration or pity from others, but to humble ourselves and seek God more deeply. Let us examine our motives and ensure that our focus remains solely on our relationship with Him. We should perform our spiritual disciplines quietly, understanding that true reward comes from His Father, who sees in secret. This will help us avoid hypocrisy and cultivate genuine devotion.
Prayer points
To help us fast with a humble and pure heart, free from any desire for human applause.
To expose any hidden motives of pride or self-display when we engage in spiritual disciplines.
To enable us to seek His approval alone as our ultimate reward in fasting.
To free us from the need to prove our spirituality to others through outward shows.
Friday - The Secrecy of Private Fasting
Today's Verse But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18
Reflection Continuing His teaching on fasting, Jesus provides practical instructions for how His followers should approach this discipline. He tells us to "anoint your head and wash your face," which implies maintaining a normal appearance, so that our fasting is not obvious to others. This reinforces the principle that fasting is a deeply personal and private act between us and God. The ultimate audience for our fast is not people, but His Father, who sees in secret and will reward us accordingly. This quiet, unassuming approach to fasting not only develops personal discipline and self-control but also tunes our spiritual sensitivity towards God, allowing us to concentrate on praying and seeking Him without external distractions or motivations.
Additional Scripture
In hard work, in sleepless nights and hunger, in fastings often, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:5-6 (Paul's life exemplified consistent fasting, implying it was a vital and ongoing part of his devotion, often not publicly announced).
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those who seek Him for good, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:21-23 (This corporate fast highlights humbling oneself before God for a specific spiritual purpose, demonstrating reliance on Him rather than outward display or human aid).
Life Application We are encouraged to practice fasting quietly and discreetly. When we fast, our intention should be to set aside legitimate appetites of the body—whether it’s food, technology, or entertainment—for a specific period to concentrate on praying and seeking God. This discipline not only lends urgency and persistence to our prayers but also trains our will and develops self-control. Remember that His Father answers according to His good and pleasing will alone, and fasting aligns us to His purpose, not to manipulate Him. Even our children can join in, giving up something they enjoy to focus on God.
Prayer points
To embrace fasting as a personal act of devotion between us and God alone.
To help us concentrate fully on praying and seeking Him during our fasts.
To develop self-control and spiritual sensitivity through this discipline.
To remind us that His reward is our true motivation, not human recognition.
Saturday - The Joy of His Presence
Today's Verse One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and they asked Him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Matthew 9:14
Reflection The disciples of John the Baptist, accustomed to a rigorous life of spiritual discipline that included frequent fasting, questioned Jesus about why His disciples did not follow the same practice. This was a fair question, as fasting was a well-established and respected religious tradition among the Jewish people, including the Pharisees. Jesus' disciples were living in an unusual season, experiencing the direct and continuous presence of the Messiah. Jesus' response, which follows in the next verse, highlights that His physical presence was a cause for celebration and joy, not mourning or deprivation. This interaction reveals Jesus' understanding of the appropriate spiritual responses for different seasons.
Life Application We are called to appreciate the profound joy of Jesus' presence in our lives, even though He is not physically with us as He was with His first disciples. This verse serves as a reminder to discern the seasons of our spiritual walk. While fasting is a vital discipline, there are also times for unbridled joy and celebration in the Lord. It teaches us that our spiritual practices should be responsive to His leading and His current work in our lives, rather than rigid adherence to tradition alone. Let us cultivate a heart that is sensitive to His timing and His purposes.
Prayer points
To cultivate a heart that rejoices continually in the presence of Jesus, even in challenging times.
To help us discern the spiritual seasons He has for us, understanding when to fast and when to celebrate.
To appreciate the unique joy and privilege of walking with Him.
To guide us in ensuring our spiritual practices are aligned with His will and current work.
Sunday - Fasting as a Deep Longing for Jesus
Today's Verse Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is still with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15
Reflection Jesus Himself prophesied that there would be a time for His disciples to fast. This time would come "when the bridegroom will be taken away from them," referring to His ascension to His Father and the period before His second coming. In this current season, fasting takes on a profound significance: it is a powerful statement of our deep longing for His presence, His kingdom, and His power to manifest in our lives and in the world. Fasting communicates to Jesus, "I want You more than my food, my entertainment, my technology; You are my treasure, and I long for Your presence and Your return." It accentuates our ache, hunger, and desire to draw closer to Him and to know Him more intimately. Jesus expects His followers to fast from time to time, as it intensifies prayer and releases spiritual power.
Additional Scripture
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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.” Acts 13:2
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Daniel 10:12
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those who seek Him for good, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:21-23
Life Application In our current age, fasting is a vital discipline that expresses our profound hunger for Jesus. It helps initiate revival and spiritual growth, enabling us to receive clear revelation and direction from Him. Fasting also aids in freeing people from spiritual bondage and pushing back demonic powers. Like Ezra, corporate prayer and fasting can help us navigate the journey ahead with confidence. Embrace fasting as an opportunity to deepen your intimacy with Jesus, intentionally setting aside worldly appetites to focus on Him and convey your deep desire for His presence and His coming kingdom.
Prayer points
To cultivate a deep longing for Jesus' presence and the manifestation of His kingdom and power.
To view fasting as a powerful declaration of our desire for Him above all else.
To seek Him through fasting for spiritual growth, clear direction, and breakthrough in specific situations.
To be empowered to move in spiritual authority as we fast and pray, setting people free and pushing back darkness.