7 Purposes for Fasting 

When planning a fast, a follower of Jesus should always have a specific purpose for that fast. “A Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.”

To Fortify Our Prayers

Experiencing prayer and fasting together is seen throughout the Scriptures. Combining fasting with our prayer seems to add strength and impact to our prayer time as we come before the Father. When we accompany our prayers with fasting, this “depletion phase” positions us for “maximum effectiveness” for God to speak to us.

To Repent From Sin

When we repent from individual sin in prayer, fasting can accompany our heartfelt repentance. It is appropriate for these two experiences to be presented together before the Lord. Fasting communicates that we are serious to the Lord, and we are giving our worries, and our shame over to the Lord.

Prayer of Confession:

“Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbours as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent.

For The sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.”

To Prepare for Ministry

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for a time of prayer, fasting and contemplation. This intense and difficult season in Jesus’ life was an experience that prepared Him to begin His public ministry. Seriously seeking our Heavenly Father creates a spiritual foundation for the Spirit to prepare us for the future, since we’re “all” called to make disciples, not just the “pastors.”

Discovering the Lord’s Will 

A requisite of experiencing a breakthrough is first seeking God’s specific will for our lives; fasting will bring our request for divine guidance directly before the Lord. As we pray for wisdom and discernment, we pray and add fasting as the act of seeking the Lord’s will for our lives. This could be for a future spouse, future occupation, to rent or buy, etc. We trust in the Lord to speak into our minds, through friends, confirming signs, and revelation.

To Mourn Loss

When loved ones, friends, or acquaintances are lost in death, it is appropriate to fast to express grief. There are many examples throughout Scripture where this is done. We see this in the life of King David, where David fasts and prays for seven days when his son with Bathsheba is lost (2 Samuel 12:15-22). Suffering has a way of focusing on our experiences, thinking, and priorities. Turning to the Lord through prayer and fasting allows the Spirit to minister, and comfort us.

Protection from Danger

When we sense that there is grave danger in our lives or for people around us, we can come to the Lord through prayer and fasting and submit our requests to the Father. We see this done in the lives of David, Jonathan, and Ezra in the Old Testament. Ezra, for example, prays and fasts over those traveling from Babylon to Jerusalem, which was a 900 mile trip, for safety from enemies and attackers. Spoiler alert, they made it safely to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23)

Simply to Worship & Praise

Praying and fasting in our private worship, simply for the purpose to edify and exalt Christ can be a richly profound experience and catalyst in your relationship with God. The prophetess Anna, served “night and day” in the temple, offering up “fasting and praying.” (Luke 2:36-38). Fasting can intensify our worship and devotion—helping to draw us closer to our Triune God.