“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.”
— Joel 2:15
Fasting is more than staying away from food. It is a time of deliberately turning our attention toward God.
Many people fast because they want God to do something for them. They fast with the mindset that their sacrifice will persuade God to answer a prayer He would not have answered otherwise. But fasting is not a way of twisting God’s arm or convincing Him to be good to us.
God has already given us all things in Christ.
The Bible says, “All things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21). Jesus has already accomplished everything necessary for our redemption, victory, access, and fellowship with God.
So, if God has already made provision for us, why do we fast?
We fast to bring our flesh under the influence of our spirit.
The flesh can be loud. Our desires, emotions, distractions, and routines can sometimes make it difficult to recognize what God is saying. Fasting creates an opportunity to quiet those distractions and become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
It is not that God suddenly begins to speak because we are fasting. Rather, we become more attentive to what He has already been saying.
Fasting helps us realign our hearts with God’s will. It creates room to pray, meditate on His Word, listen, and receive His direction. Sometimes, the issue is not that God has stopped speaking; we have simply become too distracted to recognize His voice.
But there is another beautiful reason to fast:
Fasting is an act of worship.
You can fast simply because you want to give God your undivided attention.
Not because you are trying to get something from Him, but because you desire more fellowship with Him.
There are moments when you deliberately step away from the noise, the routine, and even legitimate pleasures to say, “Lord, I want to focus on You. I want to love You. I want to appreciate You. I want to fellowship with You.”
That is the heart of fasting.
As you prepare for a new season, don’t approach fasting merely as a spiritual transaction—“If I fast, God will give me this.”
Approach it as an opportunity to seek Him, worship Him, hear Him, and align yourself with His Word.
Let your fasting become a celebration of what Christ has already accomplished.
Let your prayers be filled with thanksgiving.
Let your heart acknowledge the good things God has already done in you, for you, and through Christ Jesus.
You are not fasting to make God become more willing to bless you.
You are fasting to become more conscious of the One who has already blessed you.
Hallelujah!