Hungry for God

Introduction

Fasting is one of those subjects in the church that is barely understood, rarely taught, and scarcely practiced; yet in Scripture it’s everywhere.

Israel, the prophets, Jesus, nor the early church considered fasting an practice only for the super-spiritual.

It was a normal expression of devotion.

We’ve largely lost its value, but when we recover it, we often find a fresh spiritual sensitivity that can’t be manufactured by busyness, noise, or religious performance.

What is biblical fasting?

Matthew 4:2 “2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

Luke 4:2 “2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.”

2 Samuel 12:16–17 “16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.”

Jonah 3:5–7 “5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,”

Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food (and at times food and water) for the purpose of pursuing God.

It is physical, but it is fundamentally spiritual discipline.

It is often paired with prayer, because fasting is a way of saying: “Lord, seeking You matters more to me than satisfying me.”

What fasting is not

Not a diet technique.

Not a spiritual stunt.

Not a stunt to impress people.

Not a pry bar to move God’s hand.

Rather, it’s a pathway that moves us into a better posture to hear God, obey Him, and depend on Him.

Answer: Fasting is choosing hunger for God over all other hungers

Who should fast?

Fasting is presented in Scripture as an assumed part of spiritual life, not an elite practice.

Jesus didn’t say “if you fast,” but “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16–18).

Jesus also taught that there would be seasons when His followers would fast (Luke 5:35).

Israel fasted, prophets fasted, kings called fasts, and the early church fasted (Acts 13:1–3; Acts 14:21–23).

Answer: If you follow Jesus, fasting is for you

Where should we fast

Fasting belongs in the ordinary geography of devotion—in homes, workplaces, prayer closets, congregations, and crisis moments.

Sometimes in the assembly

There are moments when leaders call God’s people to fast together:

Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast when Judah faced invasion (2 Chronicles 20:1–4).

Nineveh fasted in corporate repentance (Jonah 3:5–7).

The church at Antioch fasted together as they worshiped and sought the Lord (Acts 13:1–3).

Primarily in secret

Jesus warned against performative fasting—religion done for applause (Matthew 6:16–18).

The Pharisees used fasting as a spiritual billboard. Jesus called it hypocrisy.

Fasting is usually private—unless God’s people are corporately called to seek Him.

Answer: Fasting is usually private, for God is the audience, not those around us

When should we fast?

Scripture shows fasting connected to moments when God’s people needed clarity, help, repentance, protection, or renewal.

When seeking protection and favor (Ezra 8:21–23)

When grieving sin and repenting (Ezra 9:10; 1 Samuel 7:6; Nehemiah 1:4–7)

When facing crisis, threat, or need (2 Chronicles 20:3–4; Joel 1:14–17)

When preparing for costly obedience (Esther 4:15–17)

When needing insight or understanding (Daniel 10:2–3; Daniel 9:3)

When engaging spiritual conflict (Matthew 17:21—your emphasis: fasting breaks holds that ordinary effort won’t)

When seeking God’s direction for ministry (Acts 13:1–3)

When appointing and strengthening leadership (Acts 14:21–23)

When it becomes a regular pattern of devotion (Psalm 35:13; Psalm 69:10; Psalm 109:24)

A key pastoral word: Some believers only fast when they’re desperate. Scripture shows fasting also as a rhythm, not just a reaction.

Answer: Fast when you need clarity most

Why should we fast?

Fasting is about redirecting our attention to God, deepening fellowship with Him.

Here are the main biblical purposes drawn from your outlines:

To seek God’s guidance When God’s people needed direction they fasted (Judges 20:26; Daniel 9:3).

To foster dependence on God Jesus began His public ministry with a prolonged fast (Luke 4:1–3). Fasting is spiritual dependence in bodily form.

To intercede for others Esther’s fast wasn’t self-improvement—it was sacrificial intercession (Esther 4:16). The church fasted as they sent and strengthened others (Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23).

To express humility, repentance, and sorrow Isaiah 58 ties true fasting to humility and liberation—breaking bonds and setting captives free (Isaiah 58:5–6). Nineveh humbled itself and sought mercy (Jonah 3:5–7). Even Ahab, confronted with sin, humbled himself with fasting and God took notice (1 Kings 21:27–29).

To cultivate self-control and spiritual submission Fasting teaches the body it is not the master. It trains the appetites to yield to the Spirit.

Answer: Fasting doesn’t change God; fasting changes us

How do we fast in a biblical way?

Scripture gives freedom here—no single mandated schedule—but it also gives wisdom.

1) Choose a type of fast

Extended fasts (varied lengths)

Esther, 3 days (Esther 4 16)

Daniel, 21 days (Daniel 10:2–3)

Jesus, 40 days (Luke 4:1–3)

Moses, 40 days … twice … back-to-back (Exodus 24:18)

Partial fasts

Skipping one meal a day, multiple meals, or fasting during a set portion of time.

Complete fast

Food only (most common biblical pattern), or food and water for very limited time (Esther 4:16).

There is no single time requirement in Scripture—variety is normal.

2) Keep it primarily private

Don’t advertise it. Don’t perform it.

Jesus’ instruction is simple: carry yourself normally, because the audience is God (Matthew 6:16–18).

3) Pair fasting with prayer and the Word

Fasting is a spiritual discipline in itself, but works better with prayer and Bible study

Fasting with prayer heightens our spiritual senses = less noise, more clarity.

4) Start slowly and practice regularly

A 21-day fast may sound spiritual, but wisdom says: train your body and your habits. Begin with one meal, then build as the Lord leads.

5) Make it actual sacrifice

You cannot “fast” what you never consume. If you typically skip breakfast, that’s not fasting

6) Discernment with health concerns

Those with medical needs (diabetes, special diets, etc.) should fast carefully and wisely, without putting themselves at risk. The principle remains: the heart seeks God above comfort—but we honor stewardship of the body.

Start small and let hunger prompt prayer

Conclusion:

Fasting doesn’t change God; fasting changes us

by tuning our hearts to seek Him above our appetites.