Pastor Rob Bray | 1-4-2026

Many Christians today feel spiritually dull despite reading their Bible, praying, and attending church regularly. If you’re experiencing spiritual fog, heavy emotions, or feeling like prayer is an uphill battle, there’s an ancient tool that can reset your soul and break you out of spiritual lethargy: fasting.

What Is Biblical Fasting Really About?

Fasting isn’t about earning God’s love or twisting His arm to get what you want. It’s not a hunger strike against heaven. Instead, fasting is a way to discipline your flesh and step under God’s grace, removing the umbrella of fleshly desires so you can feel the spiritual rain that was there all along.

When we fast, we humble ourselves, dethrone our appetites, and re-center our hunger on God. Through fasting, God awakens His people, breaks chains, and releases grace that spills into families, churches, and cities.

Why Do We Need to Dethrone “King Stomach”?

We often forget how hungry we really are for God because we’re so satisfied with other things. Fasting reminds us what truly matters and what we’re genuinely hungry for. It reprioritizes our lives and strengthens our ability to say “no” to temptation.

When you make a practice of saying no to something good like food, that spiritual muscle grows. You become better equipped to say no to sin, bad habits, and other distractions plaguing your Christian walk.

What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?

Fasting Throughout Scripture

The entire biblical story begins with a meal and humanity’s failure to exercise self-control. Adam and Eve were told they could eat from any tree except one, but they chose to disobey. Fasting is the reversal of Eden’s failure – it’s saying “Lord, I see where humanity went astray, and I choose to show You that You are more important than my immediate desires.”

Old Testament Examples

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people used fasting in times of crisis, before going to war, and when seeking God’s direction. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast when facing an overwhelming enemy. Nehemiah immediately began fasting when he heard Jerusalem’s walls were broken down. Esther called for a corporate fast before approaching the king to save her people.

These examples show us that fasting is where a burden becomes a calling, a calling becomes action, and action becomes community renewal.

Jesus and Fasting

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, resisting Satan’s temptations. Significantly, the devil’s first temptation involved food – “turn these stones to bread.” Jesus was able to resist because He had disciplined His body through fasting, strengthening His spirit.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “when you fast,” not “if you fast,” assuming His followers would regularly practice fasting. He promised that those who fast with pure motives would be rewarded by their Father in heaven.

What Breakthroughs Can Fasting Bring?

Deeper Intimacy with God

You’ll be surprised how much mental and emotional space food occupies in your life. When you remove the constant thinking about, preparing, and consuming food, you create room for deeper connection with the Father.

Repentance and Cleansing

If you’re struggling with persistent sin or bad habits, try fasting. Jesus said some demons only come out through prayer and fasting. Fasting can provide the spiritual authority needed to break stubborn patterns.

Clarity and Guidance

When you need answers about God’s direction for your life, fasting can bring breakthrough clarity. It has a way of cutting through the noise and helping you hear God’s voice more clearly.

Spiritual Power and Deliverance

Fasting cleanses the heart to receive more of the Holy Spirit, enabling you to walk in greater supernatural power and authority.

Provision and Blessing

Many believers have experienced financial breakthroughs and kingdom promotion through fasting. Why? Because fasting humbles you, and God exalts the humble while resisting the proud.

How Should You Start Fasting?

Begin Small

If you’ve never fasted before, don’t jump into a 30-day fast. Start with skipping one meal or fasting for 24 hours, then gradually work up to longer periods.

Set a Clear Purpose

What are you seeking God for? What breakthroughs do you want to see? Write down 3-5 specific prayer requests to focus on during your fast.

Pair It with Prayer and Scripture

If you’re not praying and reading the Bible during your fast, you’re just on a hunger strike. Replace meal times with prayer, Bible reading, or sitting quietly before God.

Stay Hydrated

Especially during water-only fasts, drink more water than you think you need. Proper hydration is crucial for your health and energy levels.

Expect Resistance

Satan will try to knock you off your fast. You may experience spiritual resistance, fatigue, or increased irritability. This is normal – bring these feelings to God rather than suppressing them with food.

What About Different Types of Fasts?

While the Bible primarily shows fasting from food, you can also fast from things that have become idols in your life – social media, entertainment, shopping, or anything taking up too much space in your heart. The key is setting aside something good to pursue something better: God Himself.

A Daniel fast (vegetables and water only) is a good starting point for beginners, while water-only fasts are more intensive and should be approached carefully, especially if you have health concerns.

Life Application

This week, consider joining in a corporate fast with other believers. Start with one day of fasting from food, social media, or another area where you need more self-control. Use the hunger pangs or moments when you would normally indulge as reminders to pray and seek God instead.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What appetites or desires have become too important in my life?
• Where do I need breakthrough – spiritually, relationally, or practically?
• Am I willing to discipline my body to strengthen my spirit?
• What would change in my life if I regularly practiced saying “no” to good things in order to say “yes” to God?

Remember, fasting isn’t about impressing others or earning God’s favor. It’s about humbling yourself, dethroning your appetites, and re-centering your hunger on the One who truly satisfies. When you fast with pure motives, seeking God wholeheartedly, He promises to reward you with deeper intimacy, breakthrough, and spiritual awakening.

Watch the sermon on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2TRNd4XgrsM