4. Fasting: Denying the Flesh to Focus on God

When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward. When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

— Matthew 6:16–18 (NET)

Notice Jesus doesn't say "if you fast." He says "when you fast." He assumes you will.

Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food (or other pleasures) to focus on God. It doesn't earn God's favor — it creates space to seek Him more intensely.

Why fast? To seek God's guidance (Acts 13:2–3 — the church fasted before sending out Paul and Barnabas). To mourn and repent (Joel 2:12). To battle spiritual enemies (Matthew 17:21 in some manuscripts). To discipline the flesh (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Types of fasts:

Food fast: partial fast (skip one or two meals, use that time to pray); 24-hour fast (dinner to dinner, easiest for beginners); extended fast (multiple days — consult a doctor if you have health issues). When you feel hunger, turn it into prayer. A woman named Susan fasts every Monday (dinner Sunday to dinner Monday). She says, "Monday is my hardest day at work. Fasting forces me to depend on God instead of my own strength. By Monday evening, I'm spiritually stronger than I was Sunday night."

Media fast: fast from social media for a week or a month; fast from TV for a season; fast from news for a day. Use the time you'd spend scrolling to pray, read Scripture, or serve. A man named Jason deleted Instagram for 40 days during Lent. He says, "I didn't realize how much time I wasted. I got back 90 minutes per day. I used it to read the Bible, pray, and actually talk to my wife. I almost didn't reinstall the app."

Technology fast: fast from your phone one day per week; turn off all notifications for a season; no screens after 8 PM. A family in Oregon has a "tech Sabbath" every Saturday. Their teenage daughter said, "I hated it at first. Now it's my favorite day of the week. I actually feel like I have a family."

How to start: pick a reason (why are you fasting — guidance? repentance? spiritual breakthrough?), pick a duration (start with one meal, then build), tell someone for accountability, and prepare spiritually (don't just skip food — replace it with prayer).

Action this week: Fast from one meal. Use the time to pray.