Fasting and prayer are two things that have changed my life in ways I never imagined. There was a time when I did not see the need to fast. I prayed, but I did not feel close to God. Life was hard, and I felt empty inside. One day, I decided to try fasting and prayer, and what happened after changed my thinking forever.
Many people fast and pray for different reasons. Some do it when they need answers from God. Others do it when they feel lost, weak, or in trouble. I have seen fasting and prayer bring peace, blessings, and breakthroughs, not only in my life but in the lives of many people around me.
Here are 10 reasons why fasting and prayer are important.
1. Fasting and Prayer Bring You Closer to God
Before I started fasting, I used to feel far from God. I prayed, but my heart felt dry. I would go to church and hear people say that they could feel God’s presence, but I could not relate.
One day, I decided to fast for the first time. I did not eat from morning until evening, and during that time, I spent my day praying and reading the Bible. By the end of the day, I felt something different. It was as if I could finally hear God speaking to my heart. From that day, I knew that fasting was not just about staying away from food—it was a way to get closer to God.
2. It Helps You to Overcome Temptation
There are times when life gets difficult, and I feel weak. It could be a bad habit I am trying to stop or a wrong decision I am about to make. When I fast and pray, I feel stronger.
I remember one time when I was struggling with anger. I would get upset over small things and say words I should not say. No matter how hard I tried to control myself, I kept failing. One day, I fasted for three days, asking God to help me change. After the fast, I realized that I was no longer as quick to get angry as before. It was like something inside me had changed.
3. It Gives You Spiritual Strength
Life is full of struggles. There are times when everything goes wrong, and it feels like there is no way out. During those times, fasting and prayer give me the strength to keep going.
I remember a time when I was feeling very low. Nothing was working in my life, and I felt tired. I did not want to talk to anyone, and I felt alone. But I decided to fast and pray. I spent three days without food, just praying and reading my Bible. By the end of the third day, I felt like a new person. My problems did not disappear immediately, but I had peace inside me. I knew that everything would be okay.
4. It Opens Doors of Blessings
I cannot count how many times I have fasted and seen doors open in my life.
One time, I was looking for a job. I had applied to many places, but I was not getting any response. I decided to fast and pray for three days. On the second day of my fast, I received a call for an interview. I got the job, and I knew it was because of prayer and fasting.
There are times when we wait for things to happen, but they do not. Fasting helps to open doors that were once closed.
5. It Helps You Hear God’s Voice
Sometimes, life gives us big choices to make. Should I take this job or that one? Should I move to another city? Should I marry this person?
There was a time when I needed to make a big decision about my life. I had two choices, and I did not know which one was right. I decided to fast for three days and ask God to speak to me. On the last day of my fast, I had a dream that made everything clear. The answer was right in front of me, and I knew what to do.
Fasting and prayer clear the noise in our minds. When we remove distractions, we can hear God better.
6. It Brings Healing
One of the most powerful things I have seen fasting do is bring healing.
There was a time when I was sick for weeks. I took medicine, but I was still feeling weak. One day, I woke up and decided to fast. I prayed for healing, believing that God could make me well. The next day, I woke up feeling better. I knew that fasting and prayer had helped me.
Fasting is not only good for spiritual healing but also for physical healing. When we fast, our bodies rest and clean themselves. That is why many people say they feel lighter and healthier after fasting.
7. It Helps You to Break Bad Habits
We all have habits we want to stop. Some people struggle with lying, others with gossip, and some with things they do in secret.
There was a time when I spent too much time on my phone. I would scroll for hours, wasting time. I knew it was a problem, but I could not stop. One day, I decided to fast. Instead of using my phone, I spent the time praying. By the time my fast ended, I no longer had the desire to spend hours on my phone.
Fasting helps us take control of our actions. It removes distractions and allows us to focus on what truly matters.
8. It Helps in Times of Trouble
There was a time when I was in deep trouble. I had a financial problem, and I did not know what to do. I had tried everything, but nothing was working.
I decided to fast and pray. I told God everything in my heart. I asked Him to help me find a way out. A few days later, I got an unexpected breakthrough. Someone I had not spoken to in years called me and offered me help. I knew it was not a coincidence.
Fasting and prayer bring answers when we least expect them.
9. It Helps You to Be Humble
Fasting teaches us that we are not in control. It reminds us that we need God.
There was a time when I was proud. I thought I could do everything on my own. But one day, I faced a big challenge that made me realize that I needed help. I fasted and prayed, and God humbled me. He reminded me that I cannot do everything by myself.
When we fast, we let go of our pride and trust God more.
10. It Brings Peace and Joy
Many times in life, I have felt stressed and worried. But each time I fast and pray, I find peace.
Fasting removes distractions and helps me focus on God. It reminds me that no matter what happens, God is in control.
There was a time when I was afraid of the future. I did not know what would happen next. But when I fasted and prayed, my heart became calm. I knew that everything would be okay.
When we fast, we let go of our worries and rest in God’s peace.
Conclusion
Fasting and prayer are powerful. They bring us closer to God, give us strength, help us overcome bad habits, and open doors of blessings. They also bring healing, wisdom, and peace.
If you have never fasted before, I encourage you to try. It might be hard at first, but the results are worth it. If you feel far from God, lost, or confused, fasting and prayer might be what you need.
I have seen fasting change my life. I believe it can change yours too.
