Ask The Pastor: Should I Fast?

I’ve been asked about fasting.  I imagine there’s a lot of Christians that have never fasted!  We pray regularly, read our Bibles, attend church, give generously. But fasting? Is that something we should be doing? 

In Matthew 6:16-18, He didn't ask whether His followers would fast. He assumed they would. And tucked inside that assumption is an open invitation—to experience a dimension of spiritual growth that most of us are simply leaving on the table.

Look closely at what Jesus says:  "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 Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." 

Jesus said "when you fast"—not "if you fast."  In the same passage where He teaches on prayer and giving, He places fasting right alongside them as a normal part of Christian life.  So yes, I believe we should be doing that as part of our practices!

Here are three practical benefits worth understanding. 

1.       First, it sharpens your focus in prayer. When you remove the rhythm of meals from your day, something powerful happens — those moments naturally become moments of prayer. Hunger becomes a prompt.

2.       Second, it breaks your dependence on physical comfort. We are creatures of habit, and food is one of our most powerful sources of comfort. Fasting interrupts that pattern and reveals just how much we rely on physical things to manage stress, emotions, and daily routine. That discomfort is actually the point—it creates an honest awareness of where we truly place our trust. 

3.       Third, it creates space to hear God more clearly. Fasting quiets the noise. When you're not planning meals, eating, or snacking, you reclaim both time and mental energy. Many Christians find that fasting produces a stillness that makes it far easier to sense God's direction—especially during seasons of big decisions.

I do fast periodically.  I keep it between myself and God.  Jesus was very clear about that in Matthew—it’s not a show, it’s a very focused personal act of obedience.  Jesus calls His followers to fast privately and humbly. So don’t announce it. You don't need to tell your coworkers, or post about it on social media, or explain why you're skipping lunch. Keep it between you and God.  Go about your normal day. Jesus says to wash your face and put oil on your head — in other words, look normal. The fast is an inward act, not an outward performance.  Set aside specific time during your fast to pray, read Scripture, and listen. Give God the space you've created.

There’s a lot of different ways you can fast.  I have a friend that skips his evening meal and uses that time for prayer, Bible reading and devotions—he goes to bed hungry.  I usually fast a full day—from sunrise to sunset.  I’m usually prompted to fast during particularly difficult seasons, or when I’m trying to make an important decision.

I don’t believe there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.  It’s about your motive.  It’s a very personal thing.  It’s all about drawing closer to God. And according to Jesus Himself, your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you for it.  That's a promise worth taking seriously.

~Pastor Todd Creason