When You Fast

MARCH 3, 2026

Psalm 35:13


“I humbled myself with fasting”

When you think of “fasting,” what comes to mind?

Maybe you picture people willingly starving themselves. Maybe you picture a monk living off of dry bread. Or maybe you’re someone who prefers not to think about fasting … ever.

You are not alone if merely hearing the word “fast” makes you squirm with discomfort. Historically, the concept of fasting has been associated with deprivation, long-suffering, sorrow, and sin. If this is your understanding of fasting, you are not entirely wrong, but that is only part of the story.

If we only see fasting for the discomfort it brings, then we miss the importance of this spiritual practice.  Fasting is a cornerstone spiritual discipline practiced throughout the Old and New Testaments. As we see in Matthew 4:1–2, Jesus Himself was familiar with fasting: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry” (NIV).

In the Bible, people fasted for a variety of reasons, but ultimately it was an act of submission and realignment with God. David captures fasting beautifully in Psalm 35:13: “I humbled myself with fasting” (NIV). Biblically, fasting was a personal invitation for God to intervene in the lives of His children. And it’s a beautiful way to deepen our Lenten journey.

Here are 3 reasons why fasting matters. 

Fasting matters as it starves what is stopping us from experiencing God’s presence. It forces us to pay attention to the parts of our lives that we try to drown out through late night binges and social media scrolls. And in the process, it teaches us to rely on Jesus to meet our needs.

Fasting invites, us to give up something we love to make space for something we love even more. Although giving up something you love, like food, may feel difficult and uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to experience great joy, because true joy is only found when our strength comes from Jesus.

Fasting often comes before breakthrough. Moses fasted for 40 days while receiving the 10 Commandments, Daniel fasted for 3 weeks and then received a vision, and Jesus fasted for 40 days and then overcame the devil’s temptations. In each of these cases, God provided clarity, strength, and breakthrough on the other side of faithful sacrifice.

Biblical fasting is a personal desire to connect with God in a deep meaningful way. As we read in Matthew's Gospel: “When you fast,  put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16–19)

Let's Pray

God, fasting can feel strange, uncomfortable, and even intimidating. As I set some things aside, let this practice be less about what I’m giving up and more about what You are growing in me. Reorder what’s pulling at my attention so I can focus on what truly matters. Use this season to draw me closer to You.

Amen.

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Please note that we can fast from things other than food, for example our phones, other media, or some other distraction in order to make space to commune with God. 

I need to say to you if you have medical reasons why fasting from food would have a negative impact on you, please do not risk this practice adjust fasting so that you are not harmed by the practice. Try intermittent "spiritual" fasting in which we fast a few hours each day and when during those periods we feel the discomfort of hunger we take those moments as an opportunity to turn toward God in prayer seeking clarity, strength and breakthrough.

The whole point of the practice of fasting is to reduce distractions in order to connect with God.