From Feasting to Fasting

We’ve just come out of a season of feasting, full tables, sweet treats, comfort foods, and celebration. And now, suddenly, we’re invited into a season of fasting. If that feels like a hard pivot, you’re not alone. Going from indulgence to intentional restraint can feel uncomfortable, even intimidating.

But fasting isn’t about punishment or religious performance. Biblical fasting is the practice of intentionally abstaining from food for a period of time to draw closer to God. It’s about creating space, physically and spiritually, for deeper dependence on Him.

Many believers miss the power of fasting because we either avoid it altogether or approach it without understanding its purpose. When done biblically, fasting builds faith, sharpens spiritual clarity, and humbles the flesh so the spirit can rise. It gently reminds us of this truth:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4

Why Fasting Matters More Than Ever

Some believe fasting was only for first-century Christians, but Scripture tells a different story. Jesus assumed His followers would fast. He didn’t say if you fast, He said when (Matthew 6:16). Jesus also told His disciples that after His ascension, they would fast (Matthew 9:15). Fasting was never meant to fade out with time—it was meant to remain a spiritual discipline for believers seeking intimacy with God.

Perhaps pride whispers that our struggles today are somehow greater than those faced by believers before us. Yes, sin is more visible and celebrated now but the human heart hasn’t changed. The flesh still craves ease. The world still pulls us away from holiness. And the call of Jesus remains the same:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”—Luke 9:23

Fasting is one way we practice that daily surrender.

A Note of Wisdom Before You Begin

If you are pregnant, nursing, managing a medical condition,

or taking medication that requires food, please consult

your doctor before fasting. Fasting is an act of faith, but faith

is not reckless. Always seek God’s guidance and

honor the body He entrusted to you.

Biblical Ways to Fast

The Bible gives us clear, simple examples of fasting. We don’t need to modernize what God already established.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” —2 Timothy 3:16

1. The Total Fast

A total fast means abstaining from all food for a set period of time. This is what we see Jesus doing:

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.”—Matthew 4:1–2

Jesus did not eat during this time, though Scripture suggests He drank water. While most of us are not called to a 40-day fast, and that’s okay, a total fast can be done for a meal, a day, or several days, as the Lord leads.

The key is consecration. You are setting that time apart for prayer, Scripture, and listening to God.

2. The Partial Fast (The Daniel Fast)

A partial fast involves restricting certain foods rather than all food. Daniel and his friends practiced this while in Babylonian captivity:

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.”—Daniel 1:12

Traditionally, this fast includes whole, plant-based foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds while abstaining from rich or indulgent foods like meat, sweets, and wine. Daniel later undertook a 21-day partial fast while seeking understanding from God (Daniel 10).

This type of fast is especially helpful for those new to fasting or those who need to remain physically active.

The Spiritual and Physical Benefits of Fasting

Spiritual Benefits

Fasting quiets the noise of the flesh so we can hear God more clearly. Many women experience:

• Increased discernment and clarity

• Deeper dependence on God

• Heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

• Stronger resistance to temptation

When the body says, “I want,” fasting teaches the soul to say, “I trust.”

Physical & Scientific Insights

Science is beginning to confirm what Scripture has shown for centuries. Periods of fasting have been linked to:

• Improved insulin sensitivity

• Reduced inflammation

• Cellular repair through a process called autophagy, where the body clears out damaged cells

• Mental clarity and improved focus

While these benefits are not the goal of fasting, they are a gracious reminder that God designed our bodies wisely, and obedience brings blessing.

Heart Posture Matters

Fasting is not about announcing your sacrifice or enduring it with bitterness. Jesus was very clear about this:

“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.” —Matthew 6:17–18

Complaining, comparing fasts, or drawing attention to your hunger shifts the focus away from God. Instead, let fasting soften your heart. Let it expose areas of reliance on comfort rather than Christ.

Final Encouragement

You are not walking this journey alone. The same Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness walks with you now. Whether your fast feels easy or uncomfortable, trust that God is at work strengthening your faith, refining your heart, and drawing you closer to Him.

Grace over guilt. Obedience over perfection. And always, relationship over ritual.