Create Space For God Again
Fasting Companion offers Christians practical spiritual guidance that creates intentional space for God through biblical fasting and prayer.
What is Biblical Fasting?
Biblical fasting is the intentional practice of giving up something that normally occupies our attention—most commonly food, but sometimes other activities, comforts, or distractions—in order to focus more fully on God through prayer, worship, repentance, and dependence on Him. Throughout Scripture, fasting is presented as a spiritual discipline that helps believers humble themselves before God, seek His guidance, deepen their relationship with Him, and create space to hear His voice more clearly.
Jesus assumed that His followers would fast, saying, “When you fast…” rather than “If you fast” (Matthew 6:16-18). Likewise, the prophet Joel called God’s people to return to Him through prayer and fasting: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” (Joel 2:12).
While fasting may bring physical or mental benefits, biblical fasting is fundamentally different from fasting for health reasons alone. Health-focused fasting is centred on physical wellbeing or personal goals, whereas biblical fasting is centred on God. The purpose is not simply self-improvement, but creating intentional space to seek God, grow in faith, and align our hearts more closely with His will.
Why do Christians fast?
Christians fast to humble themselves before God, draw near to Him in prayer, and seek His guidance with greater focus and dependence. Throughout Scripture, fasting is connected with repentance, worship, spiritual renewal, and the earnest pursuit of God’s will. Jesus assumed His followers would fast (Matthew 6:16–18), and believers throughout the Bible used fasting as a way of setting aside physical comforts to prioritize their relationship with God. Fasting creates space to listen more attentively, pray more intentionally, and become more aware of God’s presence and work in our lives. It does not earn God’s favor or make us more acceptable to Him; rather, it helps cultivate a heart that is attentive, surrendered, and hungry for deeper fellowship with Him.
Different kinds of fasts
People fast for different reasons, and it is helpful to distinguish between biblical fasting and health-focused fasting. Biblical fasting is a spiritual practice that involves voluntarily giving up food, certain foods, or other things to seek God through prayer, worship, repentance, and dependence on Him. Scripture records normal fasts, partial fasts, and, in rare circumstances, absolute fasts. Health fasts, on the other hand, are typically undertaken for physical goals such as improving metabolic health, supporting weight management, or promoting wellbeing. While both involve abstaining from food for a period of time, biblical fasting is primarily focused on drawing closer to God, whereas health fasting is primarily focused on physical outcomes.
Biblical examples
The Bible gives many examples of people fasting as they sought God in significant moments. Moses fasted while meeting with the Lord on Mount Sinai and receiving His commandments. David fasted in times of repentance, grief, and earnest prayer. Elijah fasted during a season of spiritual renewal as God strengthened him for the journey ahead. Esther called her people to fast before she approached the king in a time of national crisis. Daniel practiced a partial fast as an expression of devotion and faithfulness. Jesus fasted in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry, and the apostles fasted as they prayed, worshipped, and sought God’s guidance for leadership and mission. In each case, fasting was an expression of humility, dependence, and a desire to draw near to God.
Why we pray
Biblical prayer is the intentional practice of turning our hearts toward God in faith, relationship, dependence, and surrender. It is more than asking for help or presenting our needs; prayer is a way of drawing near to God, listening for His voice, worshipping Him, confessing our sins, giving thanks, and seeking His will in every part of life. Throughout Scripture, prayer is presented as a vital expression of trust, helping believers remain rooted in God’s presence and aligned with His purposes.
Jesus regularly withdrew to pray, showing that communion with the Father was central to His life and ministry. He also taught His followers how to pray, beginning with worship and surrender: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done” (Matthew 6:9–10). The apostle Paul likewise encouraged believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), pointing to prayer as an ongoing posture of dependence rather than an occasional religious activity.
While prayer can bring peace, clarity, and emotional comfort, biblical prayer is not simply a mindfulness practice or a way to feel better. It is fundamentally relational and God-centred. The purpose is not merely self-reflection or personal calm, but deeper fellowship with God, greater trust in His wisdom, and a heart increasingly shaped by His presence, truth, and will.
A simple guide to prayer
Prayer does not need to be complicated or filled with perfect words. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave them the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) not simply as words to repeat, but as a model for approaching God. The Lord’s Prayer shows us how to begin our prayer with worship and recognition of God’s holiness. It then moves into surrender to His will and purposes, brings our daily needs before Him, includes confession and forgiveness, and asks for His guidance and protection. This simple pattern provides a helpful framework for prayer, teaching believers to balance praise, surrender, dependence, repentance, and trust. Rather than a formula to follow rigidly, the Lord’s Prayer serves as a blueprint that helps us develop a deeper, more personal conversation with God.
Link between prayer and fasting
Throughout Scripture, prayer and fasting are closely connected as complementary spiritual disciplines that help believers seek God with greater focus and dependence. While prayer is the act of turning our hearts and minds toward God, fasting removes distractions and physical comforts that can compete for our attention. Together, they create intentional space to listen, worship, repent, and seek God’s guidance more deeply. Many biblical figures, including Moses, David, Daniel, Esther, Jesus, and the apostles, combined prayer and fasting during times of spiritual need, decision-making, repentance, and preparation. Fasting does not make prayer more powerful, nor does it earn God’s favor; rather, it strengthens our posture of humility and dependence, helping us approach God with greater attentiveness and sincerity.
Praying during a fast
Prayer during a fast can be simple, honest, and woven throughout the day. You might begin by dedicating the fast to God and asking Him to shape your heart, then use moments of hunger or discomfort as reminders to pause, pray, and turn your attention back to Him. Scripture can guide your prayers, helping you worship, confess, give thanks, and seek wisdom with greater focus. You may also choose a specific burden, decision, person, ministry, or area of spiritual growth to bring before God during the fast. Some people find it helpful to set aside dedicated times for prayer, while others pray briefly and often throughout the day. The goal is not to pray perfectly or fill every moment with words, but to create space for a more attentive conversation with God, listening as well as speaking and becoming more aware of His presence, guidance, and work in your life.
How to begin your first fast
If this is your very first fast, start simple. Choose a short fast that feels achievable, such as skipping a meal or fasting for part of a day, and focus on learning how to turn your attention toward God through prayer and Scripture. Use the articles and guides on this website to understand the biblical foundations of fasting, what to expect, and how to pray. If you would like additional structure and encouragement, the Fasting Companion app can help guide you through each stage of the experience with prayers, reflections, journaling prompts, and practical support.
If you have fasted before but it has been a while, consider beginning with a half-day, full-day, or partial fast as you re-establish the rhythm of seeking God through fasting and prayer. Explore the resources on this website to refresh your understanding of biblical fasting and discover practical ways to deepen your prayer life during a fast. The Fasting Companion app can help you stay focused and intentional throughout the day, providing guided reflections, Scripture, and spiritual encouragement whenever you need it.
If you are an experienced faster looking to take a deeper step in your relationship with God, consider approaching your next fast with a specific spiritual focus such as repentance, discernment, intercession, gratitude, or deeper intimacy with Christ. Use the website as a resource for biblical teaching and inspiration, while allowing the Fasting Companion app to serve as a daily companion throughout your fast. Through guided prayer, reflection, journaling, and spiritual formation content, the app is designed to help move fasting beyond a spiritual discipline and into a deeper experience of ongoing transformation and communion with God.
If you are new to fasting, check out these helpful guides:
How to Start Fasting As a Christian: A Gentle Beginner Guide
Common fasting mistakes
One of the most common mistakes people make when beginning a biblical fast is focusing primarily on what they are giving up rather than why they are fasting. Others try to do too much too soon, choosing a fast that is unnecessarily difficult and becoming discouraged when it feels challenging. Some approach fasting as a way to earn God’s approval or produce a spiritual breakthrough through effort alone, rather than as an expression of humility and dependence on Him. Another common mistake is neglecting prayer altogether, turning the fast into little more than skipping meals. Biblical fasting is not about performance or self-discipline for its own sake; it is about creating intentional space to seek God, listen to His voice, and grow in relationship with Him.
FAQs on fasting
What is biblical fasting? Biblical fasting is the intentional practice of giving up food, or something else that normally occupies your attention, in order to seek God through prayer, worship, repentance, and dependence on Him.
Do I have to fast from food? Food is the most common biblical example, but some people may choose a partial fast or give up distractions if food fasting is not wise or possible.
How long should I fast? Begin with a simple, manageable fast rather than trying to do too much too soon.
What should I do while fasting? Use the time and moments of hunger as reminders to pray, read Scripture, listen to God, and turn your heart toward Him.
Get practical guidance
The Fasting Companion app is designed to guide you through every stage of your fasting journey. Whether you are planning your first fast or preparing for a deeper season of prayer, the app provides practical guidance to help you choose a fast, set a spiritual focus, and prepare both physically and spiritually. During your fast, you can access guided prayers, Scripture, reflections, and journaling prompts that help you stay focused on God throughout the day. After your fast, the app encourages ongoing reflection, helping you recognise what God may be teaching you, record insights from your experience, and develop a sustainable rhythm of fasting, prayer, and spiritual growth over time. The app includes a generous free version that provides core fasting and prayer guidance, while the premium version offers deeper spiritual formation tools, personalised guidance, expanded content, and a more comprehensive companion experience throughout your journey.
Biblical Fasting and Prayer Resources
Our blog articles are designed to help you grow in your understanding and practice of biblical fasting. Whether you are looking for practical guidance, biblical teaching, answers to common questions, or encouragement from the experiences of others, the blog provides a growing library of resources to support your journey. You’ll find articles exploring different types of biblical fasts, how to pray during a fast, the spiritual purpose behind fasting, and ways to integrate fasting into everyday Christian life. Together, these resources can help you approach fasting with greater confidence, clarity, and a deeper understanding of its role in spiritual formation. You can scroll through them here, head to our Fasting and Prayer resource page, or simply search in the bar below for a topic of interest.
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