Now that a fast has been declared in Tope’s church, she joins in without hesitation. After all, she has been a “church girl” for over ten years. She goes to work as usual, attends the daily evening prayers organized by her church, and does everything expected during a fast.
Yet, somewhere between skipping meals and showing up for prayer, a quiet question rises within her: “Why am I even fasting?” She pauses… and her mind goes blank. Well, the church called for the fast, she tells herself. But the question lingers.
Why should I fast?
I don’t have any urgent need.
Life is treating me well.
Here is the truth many believers eventually discover:
Fasting goes beyond being a response to a crisis.
It is more than a religious activity on the church calendar.
Fasting is an invitation into deeper communion with God. Before you continue another day of fasting, take a moment and honestly ask: Why am I fasting, and what do I want God to accomplish in me during this time?
If your mind goes blank, don’t rush past that moment. Sit with it. Take a sheet of paper and a pen. Think. Then think again. Really , what do you desire from this fast?
Write down one to three things you desire for this fasting season. They don’t all have to be dramatic. Sometimes the deepest prayers are for clarity, growth, wisdom, or spiritual renewal. Intentional fasting always begins with awareness.
Let’s look into the word of God,
Why Did People Fast in the Bible?
When we look through Scriptures, we see that fasting often took place at critical moments , times that required divine intervention, direction, repentance, or preparation. Examples of those who fasted in the Bible and why they fasted:
- Esther – Fasted for Courage and Deliverance
Esther called for a corporate fast when she was about to approach the king , a decision that could have cost her life. The fast was a cry for God’s intervention and favor on behalf of the Jewish people.
Esther 4:15-16 KJV
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
2. Ezra – Fasted for Guidance and Protection
Ezra proclaimed a fast as the people prepared for a dangerous journey. Rather than relying on military protection, they humbled themselves and sought God’s direction and safety.
Ezra 8:21–23 KJV
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance…
3. The People of Nineveh -Fasted in Repentance
When Jonah warned Nineveh of impending judgment, the people responded with fasting as an outward sign of inward repentance. Their humility moved the heart of God.
Jonah 3:5–10 KJV- “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
4. The Apostles / Early Church -Fasted for Direction and Preparation for spiritual assignmets
The early church fasted when seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and when appointing leaders. Fasting positioned them to hear clearly before making important spiritual decisions.
Acts 13:2–3 KJV
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them…
Acts 14:23 KJV
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
5. Jesus- Fasted for Strength before starting his ministry
Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. This season of fasting prepared Him spiritually for the assignment ahead.
Matthew 4:1–2 KJV
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Key Pattern to Notice
Across Scripture, fasting was rarely casual. It was often connected to:
- Major decisions
- Spiritual preparation
- Repentance
- Direction for an assignment
- Dependence on God rather than human strength
This reminds us that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, it is about positioning ourselves before God with intention. Simply skipping meals does not produce spiritual transformation. It is communion with God that makes the difference. However, abstaining from food creates space -space to pray, reflect, listen, and realign our hearts with God’s purposes. So ask yourself:
What are you doing with the time you would normally spend eating?
Scrolling? Working through lunch? Distracting yourself?
Or seeking the Lord?
Scripture reminds us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. When we intentionally turn our attention toward Him, fasting becomes more than a routine , it becomes a doorway to encounter. As a fast has been declared for RCCG this season, consider it more than a tradition. See it as an opportunity to prepare spiritually for what lies ahead in the year 2026.
- Prepare for the assignments entrusted to you.
- Build strength for challenges you cannot yet see.
- Seek clarity for decisions that will shape your future.
- Align your heart with God’s direction.
Fasting prepares you before life demands from you.
It strengthens your inner life so you are not easily shaken when pressure comes. Do not drift through this season. Approach it thoughtfully. Pray deliberately. Listen expectantly.
Determine in your heart: “I will seek God, and I will not rush through this sacred time.” Because fasting is not merely a spiritual event organized by a church, it is a spiritual practice that, when approached with understanding and intentionality, can influence the course of your life.
So as you continue your fast, remember:
Don’t just go without food. Go deeper with God.
Your preparation today may be the foundation for the strength you will need tomorrow.