Fasting as Spiritual Preparation

Do you know the feeling of repeatedly failing at the same task? We often see this with children—they get easily distracted. Imagine a child trying to do his homework, but suddenly, a cat appears at the door. Most children can’t resist; they abandon their work and rush over to play. A parent’s reminder might bring their focus back for a moment, but at the next distraction, they are gone again.

This is often how we handle our commitments. We start motivated, but as soon as challenges or temptations arise, our resolve begins to waver. Especially when preparing spiritually for a significant task, we need focus and steadfastness.

Jesus shows us how to prepare spiritually. Before beginning His public ministry, He withdrew into the wilderness for forty days to fast and pray (Matthew 4:1-2). He knew that an immense task lay ahead of Him. Yet instead of allowing distractions or worries to consume Him, He sought the presence of His Father. This time of intentional sacrifice and spiritual focus made Him strong enough to resist the devil’s temptations and fully embrace His calling.

Fasting is more than just abstaining from food or other comforts. It is a way to fully focus on God, to deliberately shut out distractions, and to spiritually prepare for what lies ahead. Throughout the Bible, we see people fasting before making significant decisions to seek God's wisdom and strength (Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:2-3).

However, fasting can also make us more vulnerable to spiritual attacks. That’s why it’s helpful to anticipate potential challenges in advance. Social obligations, such as family gatherings or work events, might become distractions. If you are in a season of heavy workloads, fasting from food could push you to your physical limits. Fasting is not about starving—it is essential to ensure you have enough energy and are in good health before beginning. Mental well-being is just as important; resisting the tempting aroma of freshly baked bread is not always easy.

Fasting, in the biblical sense, is hardly effective without mindfulness, prayer, and intentional effort. It requires true dedication for it to become what it is meant to be: a time of drawing closer to God and strengthening your faith.

Next Step: Are you facing a new challenge or an important decision? Set aside a dedicated time for fasting and use this period to engage with the Holy Spirit, creating space to hear God’s voice more clearly.