Professional athletes know a secret that serves the rest of us well: sometimes less is more. Think about it. They deliberately build rest days into their training routines, knowing that muscles grow stronger not during exercise, but during recovery. In fact, the most successful athletes master the art of strategic emptiness—creating space in their schedules, their bodies, and their minds to ultimately achieve peak performance.
This principle extends far beyond athletics into our spiritual lives, where the ancient practice of fasting offers a similar paradox: emptiness can lead to fullness, and temporary hunger can result in lasting satisfaction.
In our fast-paced world of instant gratification and constant consumption, the idea of voluntarily giving something up might seem strange, even counterintuitive. Yet millions of Christians throughout history have discovered a profound truth: sometimes, the path to spiritual fullness runs through emptiness. The practice of fasting—temporarily abstaining from food or other daily comforts—can open up spaces in our lives where God's presence becomes more vivid and His voice more clear.
The purpose of fasting in Christian tradition has never been about proving our devotion or earning God’s favor. Instead, it’s about creating intentional hunger. Not just physical, but spiritual hunger. Jesus assumed His followers would fast, saying “When you fast” rather than “if you fast” (Mt 6:16). He taught that fasting should be done not for show, but in secret, where “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:18).
Throughout Scripture, we see fasting associated with seasons of intense prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. When Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem’s destruction, he “sat down and wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Neh 1:4). The early church fasted when seeking God’s direction for ministry, as when they were “worshiping the Lord and fasting” before sending out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2).
The most common form of fasting involves abstaining from food. This might mean skipping a single meal to pray, following a sunset-to-sunset pattern like in Jewish tradition, or undertaking a longer fast with appropriate medical precautions. Some choose to drink only water, while others maintain a restricted diet, like Daniel, who ate “no delicacies, no meat or wine” for three weeks while seeking God’s wisdom (Dan 10:3).
But fasting isn’t limited to food. In our digital age, many Christians find great spiritual benefits in fasting from social media, streaming services, or smartphone use. These modern fasts can be particularly powerful in revealing our dependencies and creating space for prayer and reflection. Others might fast from shopping, entertainment, or any regular activity that tends to consume our attention and energy.
The pattern and timeframe of fasting can vary significantly based on personal circumstances and spiritual leading. Some maintain regular fasting schedules, like setting aside one day each week. Others fast seasonally, perhaps during Lent or other significant spiritual seasons. Still others fast as specific needs arise—when facing important decisions, dealing with temptation, or interceding for others. Jesus taught that some spiritual victories come only through “prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29).
The benefits of fasting extend far beyond mere self-discipline. When we voluntarily set aside legitimate pleasures for a season, we sharpen our spiritual hunger and increase our capacity to hear God’s voice. Fasting helps expose our dependencies, revealing the things we’ve allowed to become substitute comforts in place of God. “Man shall not live by bread alone,” Jesus reminded us, “but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
Moreover, fasting can be a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. The prophet Isaiah described God's chosen fast as one that “loosens the bonds of wickedness” and “lets the oppressed go free” (Is 58:6). When we fast, we declare our dependence on God’s strength rather than our own resources. We acknowledge that our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by His presence.
If you’ve never practiced fasting, consider starting small. Skip a meal to pray for a specific need. Turn off social media for a day to focus on Scripture reading and reflection. The key is to replace what you're giving up with intentional time seeking God. Let your physical hunger or sense of absence remind you to pray. Keep a journal of what God reveals during your fast.
Remember that fasting isn’t about earning God's approval or proving your spirituality. It’s about creating space in your life for deeper communion with God. “Draw near to God,” James tells us, “and he will draw near to you” (Jas 4:8). In a world of constant noise and endless appetites, fasting offers a path to greater spiritual clarity and closer fellowship with God. Why not begin your journey with fasting today? Your hunger for God’s presence might just become your heart’s greatest delight.