Seeking God’s Guidance through Fasting
Luke 18:12: I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.
Fasting is one of the basic and foundational doctrines we learn throughout the Scriptures.
However, God does not want His people to suffer from hunger or stay hungry simply because He wants them to be hungry. The only purpose I, as a believer, see behind fasting is to spare time for prayer and fellowship with God beyond the normal routine.
In other words, if you pray for 20 or 30 minutes every day and still feel unfulfilled after that time, then increase that time to 2 or even 4 to 5 hours of prayer and seek God's guidance through fasting.
I often observed that I was getting a deeper revelation on any given thought from the Holy Spirit just before my mother put breakfast on the table. I wanted to learn more by meditating on the Word of God, but my mother wanted me to eat that breakfast. So, it seemed I was in conflict between leaving that breakfast there as it was, and continuing to meditate on the Word of God to get more spiritual food before I ate physical food for the well-being of my body.
It could be a different experience for different believers. However, fasting means nothing if you are doing routine work and not allowing yourself to spend special time with your Father in Heaven.
Jesus speaks about prayer in the following Scripture, but I think the same rule could apply to fasting:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your unseen Father. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:5-7)
In another Bible verse, Jesus clearly explains the way we should be fasting:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But 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 unseen Father; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)
So, the main purpose of fasting is to speak with God and seek His guidance. We all know as believers, and the Word of God clearly states, that we have an enemy who will not be pleased when we even plan to spend time in fellowship with our Father in Heaven. This is exactly what Satan did in the Garden of Eden. Even though they were not fasting, Adam and Eve were in fellowship and spending time every day with God. This causes pain to the enemy, and he becomes helpless and cannot do anything. This is why Jesus said some demons will not leave without prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:14-21)
Long story short, I believe that fasting is not just about being hungry or not eating for certain hours. The Prophet Isaiah very clearly states the true meaning of fasting. If you read Isaiah 58:6-12, you will know what I am talking about, but let me add two verses below:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to shelter the poor wanderer—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Conclusion
Biblical fasting is more than simply going without food; it's a purposeful act of devotion that deepens our connection with God. Jesus and the prophets reveal its true essence: spiritual growth and moral integrity. Fasting isn't about outward appearances of piety but an inward transformation that aligns our hearts with God's will.
Through fasting, we escape life's distractions and foster a more intimate relationship with God. By denying ourselves physical nourishment, we create space for spiritual growth, allowing God's word to shape our lives.
Prophet Isaiah links fasting to social justice. True fasting includes acts of kindness, such as feeding the hungry or clothing the poor. It's about reflecting God's love in our actions.
In our self-centered world, fasting is a powerful counterculture. It reminds us that our true strength comes from God and our purpose is to serve Him and others. Fasting, done with a sincere heart, is a path to spiritual renewal and positive change.