Why do Christians Fast?

Fasting is not a diet or giving up of social media. Fasting is giving up or starving your flesh and feeding your Spirit.
           Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on       every word that comes from      the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

In Matthew, (in red) Jesus said to: Give, Pray and Fast. Matthew 6:16 says “WHEN you fast…..”  It’s something we are to do as Christians. It is an act of obedience to His Word.
Fasting is hungering to know Him more: His ways, His will and His vision for your life.

When the people in the Bible fasted, they fasted for a need or a purpose.
Ester fasted for favor with the king.

In Judges 20, God’s people fasted before a battle and received victory.

The first Adam fed the flesh or physical body and ate the fruit (food) vs. Jesus (the second Adam) fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and received dominion and authority.

When Daniel fasted he received understanding, a vision and gained clarity and focus.

                Every time there is a fast in the Bible, there is a reward or a victory.
The Bible is a Christian’s manual of how to walk in this world.

Fasting the first of the year is an act of worship. It says, “God I give you the first of my year”. It shows Him your honor and obedience. Just like we tithe and give him the first fruits of our money or we go to church on Sunday and give Him the first day of our week . Giving God the first of everything is honoring him.
It sets up the principles of how His Kingdom operates.
These are a few explanations on why Christians fast.

               Fasting unlocks God’s supernatural power through your life, into His Kingdom.

There are physical benefits when we fast. God always goes over and above. Weight lose happens, clarity comes, the Spirit rhelm shifts, supernatural power is increased. But the sole reason; is to get closer to our Father and know Him more.


Fasting can start with giving up one meal a day or one specific food and praying during that time. You don't just give it, you exchange it for time with the Lord. If you desire to know more, Jentezen Franklin has a book on fasting that explains it more complete.