“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” - Martin Luther
“Fasting has three ends in view: to mortify and subdue the flesh; to prepare us for prayer and holy meditation; and to give evidence of our humility before God.” - John Calvin
“Fasting has three ends in view: to mortify and subdue the flesh; to prepare us for prayer and holy meditation; and to give evidence of our humility before God.” - John Calvin
The Heart of Fasting
For Kerusso Grace Church, fasting is a corporate confession that apart from Christ we can do nothing. It is not about willpower or spiritual performance, but about reorienting our hunger toward Jesus.
Jesus declares: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (John 6:35)
As hunger rises, prayer becomes our response. We do not ignore hunger, we let it lead us to Christ. Each hunger pang becomes an invitation to pray, to trust, and to abide.
Jesus declares: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (John 6:35)
As hunger rises, prayer becomes our response. We do not ignore hunger, we let it lead us to Christ. Each hunger pang becomes an invitation to pray, to trust, and to abide.
To draw closer in dependency on Him!
Our bodies need food daily to survive, yet we often neglect the truth that our souls must depend on God daily for life, strength, and nourishment.
Our bodies need food daily to survive, yet we often neglect the truth that our souls must depend on God daily for life, strength, and nourishment.
- Matthew 4:4 | “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
- Matthew 6:16–18 | Jesus tells His disciples how to fast and pray
- Joel 2:12–13 | Returning to the Lord with fasting and repentance
- Ezra 8:21–23 | Fasting to seek God’s guidance and protection
- Acts 13:2–3 | The church fasting and praying together
What Fasting Is
Biblical fasting is the intentional abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.
In Scripture, we see that fasting is consistently connected to food because food is a daily necessity for survival. By willingly laying aside a meal, or meals, we physically acknowledge our weakness and our need for God.
Fasting from food brings our bodies into agreement with a deeper spiritual truth: we are dependent creatures, and God alone sustains us.
Fasting says with our bodies: “Jesus, I need You more than what sustains me naturally.”
In Scripture, we see that fasting is consistently connected to food because food is a daily necessity for survival. By willingly laying aside a meal, or meals, we physically acknowledge our weakness and our need for God.
Fasting from food brings our bodies into agreement with a deeper spiritual truth: we are dependent creatures, and God alone sustains us.
Fasting says with our bodies: “Jesus, I need You more than what sustains me naturally.”
What Fasting Is Not
While limiting distractions can be helpful, biblical fasting is not:
Those practices may be wise, but they are not fasting in the biblical sense.
**Fasting is uniquely tied to food because it confronts our physical dependence and exposes where we seek comfort, control, and security. Hunger reminds us how fragile we are and how deeply we need Christ.**
- A break from social media or being disciplined by limiting screen time
- Taking a pause from entertainment or hobbies
- Simply removing distractions from your schedule
Those practices may be wise, but they are not fasting in the biblical sense.
**Fasting is uniquely tied to food because it confronts our physical dependence and exposes where we seek comfort, control, and security. Hunger reminds us how fragile we are and how deeply we need Christ.**
Why Fasting and Prayer Belong Together
Fasting is never meant to stand alone. Biblical fasting is always joined to prayer.
Without prayer, fasting becomes empty discipline. With prayer, fasting becomes an act of worship and dependence.
Fasting pulls our bodies into a place of reliance through hunger, while prayer draws our spirits to run toward God as our source.
Fasting teaches our bodies to rely on God, and prayer trains our hearts to cling to Him. Together, they draw us closer to Jesus, forming us into a people who live not by self-sufficiency, but by daily dependence on Christ.
God is present for us in fasting and prayer as:
Without prayer, fasting becomes empty discipline. With prayer, fasting becomes an act of worship and dependence.
Fasting pulls our bodies into a place of reliance through hunger, while prayer draws our spirits to run toward God as our source.
- In hunger, we cling to Jesus.
- In weakness, we draw nearer to Him.
- In emptiness, we are reminded that He alone satisfies.
Fasting teaches our bodies to rely on God, and prayer trains our hearts to cling to Him. Together, they draw us closer to Jesus, forming us into a people who live not by self-sufficiency, but by daily dependence on Christ.
God is present for us in fasting and prayer as:
- Our Bread of Life | The only One who truly satisfies
- Our Source of Strength | When our bodies feel weak (Isaiah 40:29)
- Our Sustainer | Holding us together moment by moment (Col. 1:17)
- Our Refuge | When we feel exposed and dependent (Psalm 46:1)
- Our Shepherd | Who provides all we need (Psalm 23:1)
- Our Life | Not just the giver of life, but life itself (John 14:6)
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