Prayer and Fasting to Hear From God

In our fast-paced world of distractions and spiritual warfare, we must be intentional about slowing down and hearing God’s voice. One practice of doing this is prayer and fasting. 

Fasting to hear from God is the practice of removing something physical to gain something spiritual. What you remove and for how long is between you and the Holy Spirit. Through this, you experience the fruit of deeper intimacy with God, spiritual cleansing, and renewal. 

Fasting to Hear From God | Why and When

It’s important to keep in mind the purpose and motivation for fasting. It’s not primarily to abstain from something, or cause suffering from withdrawal or hunger pangs, but to fill the void with more intentional moments in God’s presence. He wants to meet you in a special, intimate way, and you are carving out time and space not usually available in your schedule to seek Him and His will. 

To hear God’s voice while fasting, it is key to ask the Holy Spirit before a fast for guidance on the duration and what specifically He’s asking you to fast from. There are different types of fasting, including:

• Abstaining from all food and drink except water. 
• Eliminating specific foods or meals, such as abstaining from meats or sweets.
• Refraining from activities like watching television or using social media, dedicating that time to God.

Biblical fasting always involved food and drink, but you may feel prompted to fast from social media, the news, or electronics. Fasting from food may not be an option for some due to medical conditions, and we advise consulting with a healthcare professional before undertaking extended food-related fasts. 

That being said, the principle of fasting is greatly encouraged and can be experienced in different ways, such as fasting from other comforts or activities.

Once the Holy Spirit clarifies what and when to fast, consider how you will use your time of fasting to seek Him.

• If there are specific areas where you are seeking breakthroughs and answers, write them down.
• Make a playlist of worship music that speaks to your heart and can help you focus on the Father.
• Clear your schedule ahead of time, allowing for a quiet space where you can be still and listen.
• Be sensitive to areas in the Bible that the Holy Spirit highlights for you to focus on. Prioritize His Word and communion with Him through prayer and time in His presence. 

What Did Jesus Say About Fasting? | Spiritual Attitude and Heart Posture 

Jesus gave guidance for fasting in Matthew 6:16-18:

• “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (emphasis added)

Notice how this passage opens with “when” you fast, not “if.” Jesus speaks of fasting as an expectation rather than an optional discipline. He also underscores heart posture and motivation. 

Fasting is not a show; it’s not announced to others as a way of appearing more “spiritual,” but rather an act of humility between you and the Father who dwells in the secret place. It’s about intimacy and revelation. 

It goes without saying that prayer and fasting go hand-in-hand. When fasting, seek the Lord in prayer, talk and commune with Him, worship and praise Him. He wants to join you in that secret place and share the desires of His heart with you when you are hungry for Him. 

Fasting That Pleases God | Isaiah 58

In Isaiah 58, God speaks of His heartbreak in seeing the practice of fasting become a focus on self-affliction, with no heart change or desire to be closer to Him. In contrast, true fasting loosens chains of injustice and brings healing, restoration, and deliverance.

“Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? 

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?…

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” —Isaiah 58:5-6 & 8-9 (emphasis added)

Fasting that pleases God sets captives free. It brings spiritual clarity when you call Him, and He will say, “Here I am.” It’s not about self-affliction, but deeper communion with the One Who bore our sin and shame and calls us to bring our hearts to Him for true transformation.

Fasting in Spiritual Warfare

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before the start of His ministry. He was tested, refined, and comforted during this period. He encountered fierce warfare from His enemy and overcame him. Fasting often exposes the enemy’s schemes, and he will not go down without retaliation. Yet the intimacy and revelation you receive during this period is exactly the weapons of warfare you’ll need to be victorious. 

In Matthew 17:14-21, Jesus casts out a demon that He said could only be defeated by “prayer and fasting.” There are different interpretations of what this means. Some suggest His disciples were unsuccessful in casting out the demon because they were not yet practicing regular prayer and fasting, like Jesus was. It is clear from this passage that prayer and fasting make a powerful impact in the spiritual realm, and some demonic strongholds will not be broken without it. 

While fasting, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to expose any strongholds in your life that need to be broken, such as…

• Generational curses
• Unhealthy soul-ties
• Spirits of fear, abandonment, rejection
• Orphan spirit
• Spirits of pride and anger

Fasting During Appointed Times and Days of Remembrance

Fasting is incorporated in God’s appointed times, primarily in the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, a sacred day of repentance, introspection, and cleansing. It is the holiest biblical holiday, marking the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe. 

Fasting during Yom Kippur is a powerful way to start the Hebrew New Year in alignment with the Kingdom of Heaven. Jewish people and Believers from around the world fast during this period, making it a beautiful picture of One New Humanity, collective repentance, and spiritual renewal.

Significant fasting also occurs on the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av). Both these fasts commemorate tragedies in Jewish history and are periods of reflection and mourning. They are also opportunities to wage war in the spirit, through prayer and fasting, against the enemy’s schemes, proclaiming life and victory for Israel and all of God’s people. 

As these key dates signify, fasting is often associated with repentance and intercession. This spiritual discipline is a humble recognition of our need for God’s intervention and mercy as we surrender our self-reliance. It’s an act of submitting to God’s authority on behalf of ourselves and those we love.

Fasting as Prophetic Anticipation of God’s Kingdom

Being close to Jesus and following His voice is the essence of discipleship. This is our desire as Believers, and fasting further aligns us with His heart, bringing clarity, revelation, and deeper relationship with Him. 

In Matthew 9:15, Jesus noted that His disciples did not fast while He was with them, but that they would after He ascended. Fasting is a prophetic act of anticipation for the return of Jesus. When He is with us again, we will no longer fast. There will be no more tears or need to fight distractions and demonic assignments. 

In your fasting, focus on Him and His Kingdom. Remember that the tears you cry now in repentance, intercession, and need for comfort and deliverance, He will wipe from your eyes when He comes again and makes all things new (Revelation 21:4).

May you draw near to Him through this spiritual discipline and be renewed, cleansed, and equipped in your Kingdom identity and destiny.