What is the purpose of fasting?
The Biblical Answer
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is frequently mentioned in scripture, yet often misunderstood today. Biblical fasting is not a diet, nor is it a way to "manipulate" God into answering your prayers. It is the deliberate abstinence from food (or other legitimate pleasures) for a specific spiritual purpose.
The primary purpose of fasting is to quiet the flesh and amplify the spirit. By denying our physical hunger, we remind ourselves that we depend more on God's Word than on physical food. Fasting breaks spiritual strongholds, intensifies our prayer life, brings deep repentance, and sharpens our ability to hear the Holy Spirit's guidance.
"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'""
A Prayer for This
"Lord, create in me a hunger for Your presence that is greater than my hunger for the things of this world. Use my fasting to break strongholds and draw me intimately closer to You. Amen."