A magnifying glass fascinated me as a child. It helped me see things I normally couldn’t see. Fasting can have a similar effect on our relationship with God.
It helps us look closer.
Fasting is more than skipping a meal. It is an intentional decision to humble ourselves and make room for God. We temporarily set aside something we desire so we can focus more deeply on the One we need.
That distinction matters.
Fasting helps us recognize the difference between what we want and what we need.
We may discover that some things have taken up far more space in our hearts than they deserve. We may realize that our hunger for entertainment, comfort, success, approval, or possessions has become stronger than our hunger for God.
Fasting gives us an opportunity to reset our hearts.
It can allow the Holy Spirit to show us our true spiritual condition. It can realign our priorities with God’s desires. It can deepen our dependence on Him and renew our intimacy with Christ.
Throughout Scripture, people fasted for different reasons and different lengths of time. Jesus Himself fasted in the wilderness for forty days.
The practice does not have to look the same for everyone. What matters is the heart behind it.
Jesus warned in Matthew 6 against fasting to impress others. He told His followers to fast quietly, knowing that their heavenly Father sees what is done in secret.
That is the beauty of fasting.
You don’t need an audience.
You simply need a willing heart.
When you feel that something is missing in your relationship with God, consider creating some space to seek Him. Put something aside for a time and use that time to pray, read Scripture, listen, and worship.
Let your physical hunger remind you of a deeper hunger.
A hunger for God is a hunger worth cultivating.
Additional Resources
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