Is Fasting a Divine Gift?

For many, fasting sounds like deprivation—a disciplined exercise that we endure with effort. Less distraction, less enjoyment, less of the things that usually carry us through the day. Isn’t fasting simply dull?

Our daily lives are filled with constant stimulation. We’ve become so accustomed to it that we find it unsettling when we are not constantly occupied. We complain about “leisure stress,” yet few things unsettle us as much as an empty calendar. We rely on noise to avoid feeling lonely or to drown out thoughts that might be painful. But fasting disrupts this pattern. It slows us down, interrupts the endless stream of distractions, and forces us to pause. Suddenly, we hear what is usually drowned out: our own thoughts, the quiet voice of God, the longing for a deeper purpose.

In Psalm 35:13-14, David describes an unusual approach—he fasts not for himself, but for others. For those who suffer. For those who need intercession. Fasting here is not just an act of personal sacrifice but an expression of love. It is as if he carries the burdens of others—not just with words, but with his whole body, with his full devotion.

This reveals something profound: fasting is not merely a private discipline. It can be a prayer deeper than words—a silent cry to God for those too weary to pray for themselves. It is a response to the suffering in the world, a statement: Lord, I bring You not only my requests but also myself.

When we fast, we become quieter. And in that stillness, something sacred happens. We realize that we do not live by all the things we once considered indispensable. We rediscover that God Himself is our source.

Fasting is not an end in itself. It is an invitation—to listen more deeply, to pray more fervently, and to stand in the gap for others more intentionally. Perhaps this is exactly what our restless world needs: people willing to empty themselves for the sake of others so that God can fill them anew.

Next Step: Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit if there is someone you should fast and pray for. Perhaps a friend, a family in crisis, or a situation in the world that weighs on your heart. Fasting as intercession—it could be the most precious gift you offer someone today.