How to fast

What is fasting? The word fasting means to abstain from food and water for a certain time, and in the Bible we find that there were several men who practiced this discipline, and even Jesus Himself instructed us about the correct way in which we should fast.

Fasting is one of the most misunderstood spiritual disciplines in the church today. Some think it is a way to twist God’s arm so that He grants our desires; others reduce it to a mere tradition without understanding its purpose; and many, unfortunately, use it as a method to show outward spirituality. But biblically, fasting is much deeper—it is an act of humility, surrender, and deep search for God.

Jesus said about fasting:

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:16-18

These words of Jesus teach us that fasting must come from a sincere heart. The first thing we must understand is that we do not fast to impress others. If we fast with the intention that people notice us or consider us “more spiritual,” then—according to Jesus—we already have our reward, and it is merely human applause. That kind of fasting has no eternal value and does not ascend before God as a pleasing sacrifice.

We must clearly define fasting in our Christian walk so that we may do it correctly and in a way that pleases the Lord. It is not a competition of holiness nor a stage to showcase our piety. When Jesus said, “anoint your head and wash your face,” He meant that believers should fast without changing their outward appearance. The point is simple: fasting is between you and God.

Fasting is an act where, apart from abstaining from food and water, we also abstain from distractions, noise, and the constant pull of this world. It is a sacred moment where we separate ourselves to seek God with intensity, to open our hearts before Him, to strengthen our relationship with Him, and to align our will with His. Biblical fasting is not simply going hungry—it is drawing near to God.

Throughout the Scriptures, men and women fasted when they needed strength, clarity, or divine intervention. Moses fasted before receiving the commandments. Daniel fasted seeking understanding. Esther called for fasting before facing the king. Jesus Himself fasted before beginning His ministry. Therefore, fasting is not an optional practice—it is a powerful spiritual tool when done correctly.

We also fast when we need to make an important decision, when the soul feels burdened, when we seek spiritual renewal, or when we long for greater sensitivity to the voice of God. But fasting should never be used as a performance before others, nor as a shield of self-righteousness. Jesus condemned such attitudes because they stem from pride, not humility.

Remember this always: “Fasting is a means to abstain from the world and strengthen our friendship with God; it is not a means to show spirituality to others.”

When you fast, do it with a sincere heart. Set time aside for prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation. Seek God more than answers, His Presence more than His gifts, His will more than your desires. Then your fasting will bear fruit, because Scripture promises that the Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Fasting done in humility becomes a sweet offering before the Lord, and your spirit will come out strengthened, renewed, and aligned with His perfect purpose.