When you pray and fast, you take an active role in your faith journey. In this episode, we discuss how your prayer life and faith can improve for the better.
This is probably one of the least popular tasks of a Christian. We don’t mind attending church, opening and reading our Bible, and giving money to charity. But when challenged to pray and fast? That makes it so much more complex.
However, prayer and fasting are two spiritual powerhouses. These are proven disciplines that can transform your life as a Christian. If you’re ready to learn more, grab your coffee—or maybe skip it if you’re fasting—and let’s get started!
But first, I want to thank our sponsor, Judson College. Judson College offers biblical and practical training wherever a student is called to equip and live all of life for Christ.
Fasting is a timeless practice, especially for Catholics during Lent. This is a time of preparation and penance leading up to Easter, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before beginning His public ministry. This starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, the week of Easter. Lent is a time not only for Catholics but all Christians to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Why? Because it causes us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and a personal call to conversion.
The number 40 is indicative of different biblical periods. I’m sure you’ve read about how the number 40 in the Bible is related to times of trial and purification—for example, the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness and Noah’s 40 days of rain. Rooted in the Church’s tradition, Lent invites us, the faithful, to turn away from sin and embrace self-discipline. We are denying the flesh, remembering to say no to whatever we have selected to fast from, and in this way, using it as a powerful reminder. It also is a renewal of our baptismal promises, preparing our hearts to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection. Lent is both a personal journey and an act of solidarity, uniting Catholics and Christians worldwide in spiritual growth and sacrifice.
So, how do you fast? Simply, add the element of “fast” or giving up something in penance to your prayer life. What that looks like is different for each person. Skipping lunch or giving up chocolate and offering it up for a special intention makes it powerful. When we give things up, we are reminded to deny ourselves and our flesh. And when we deny ourselves, we recall the importance of denying sin.
Prayer and fasting aren’t just old-school Catholic habits; they’re actually tools God gives us to grow closer to Him and improve our lives. But why are they so important?”
Let’s start with prayer. It’s our direct line to God. When we pray, we raise our minds and hearts to God, and through prayer, we talk to the Lord, we listen to Him, and we align our will with His. It is not easy, and it takes practice because we are often distracted when we pray. Why is that because the enemy doesn’t want us growing closer to God? We witnessed Jesus, before he began His public ministry, in the desert for 40 days, and at the end, satan tempted the Word and made Flesh. Jesus gave us an example of withstanding temptation.
Prayer takes discipline, and when we do it with a focus on wanting to grow in the Lord, we are not just asking God for things—it’s about building a relationship. Think of it like spending time with a friend: the more you talk, the deeper the bond. Yet, with the Lord, it is so much more powerful. It is as if we are in the presence of Christ.
Now, what about fasting? How can we think about God when we want that cookie or that cup of coffee? Let’s read Matthew 6:16-18, (Read on air.)
Jesus says, ‘When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret.’
Jesus doesn’t say if you fast—He says when. Fasting’s for a Christian is not optional; it’s a given for a life of faith. But it’s not about showing off to others and letting them know how holy you are by your works. No. It’s about humility, discipline, and turning to God.
In fact, prayer and fasting were so important for the disciples that it was the only way to defeat the evil one. In the following scripture, the disciples tried to heal a young boy suffering from demonic possession. Yet they were unsuccessful. The desperate father brought his son to the Lord and asked him for healing. When you read the scripture, listen to the words as I read them, take note of Christ, as he expresses his frustration with his disciples, but then, when they ask him, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus explains it is because of weak faith. : Matthew 17:14-21
Jesus Cures a Boy with a Demon
14 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[a] and it[b] came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a[c] mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”[d]
The second place we read about this situation is in Mark 9: 14-29. In Mark 9:27-29 a further explanation of the situation is as follows:
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” (In the footnotes it adds the word fasting. )
What are the takeaways from these verses? Pray and meditate on them, but in a nutshell, the Lord is asking us to have faith the size of a mustard seed, which only comes with praying and fasting.
So, how do prayer and fasting together improve your prayer life? Your faith journey? First, they help to tame the chaos. Life’s busy—work, family, endless notifications, the pull to look at social media or watch the news. Prayer gives you peace and a moment to hit pause and refocus on what matters. Fasting, on the other hand, trains your body to say ‘no’ to instant gratification. Skipping a meal or turning off the television for a day reminds you who’s in charge—not your stomach, not your screen, but your soul, guided by God.”
Second, they supercharge your spiritual growth. When the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon, Jesus told them in Matthew 17:21 that ‘this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.’ There’s power here. Fasting sharpens your prayer life, making it more intentional. Ever notice how skipping lunch makes you hungrier for God? It’s like clearing the clutter so His voice comes through louder.
Third, they connect you to the Church. Even if you are not Catholic, Christians I know practice fasting often. Catholics have been fasting since the beginning—Lent, Ash Wednesday, regular Fridays, and especially Holy Thursday-Good Friday-Holy Saturday before Easter. When you fast, you’re not alone; you’re joining millions of believers, past and present, in a shared sacrifice. And prayer? Whether it’s the Our Father at Mass or a quiet moment with your Bible, it’s the essence of our communion with each other and with Christ.”
How To Pray and Fast:
Start small. Pray for five minutes a day—read your Bible, think about what you read, and ask the Lord for some insight or guidance to what you read. Spending time with God is the essence of your prayer life. As far as fasting, I encourage you to try fasting with something simple—snacks between meals or social media for a few hours. Offer it up for someone you love or a struggle you’re facing. You’ll be amazed at the clarity, the strength, the joy that creeps into your life.
Make praying for others a habit. Does the Lord bring someone to mind? If you think about them often, this can be an indication that they need prayer.
During Lent, select one thing and fast from that thing or group of things during the entire 40-day period. Some Christians do not fast on Sunday but only on weekdays and Saturdays because the Lord rose from the dead on Sunday. However you do it, make it work for you. It always amazed me that when my kids were in college often, non-Catholic friends often joined in their Lenten fast. Some have continued it to this day.
As Christians, prayer and fasting aren’t just duties; they’re gifts. They draw us out of ourselves and into God’s heart. They make us better spouses, parents, friends—better Christians. So, this week, take up the challenge. Pray a little deeper. Fast a little more. Let God work in the quiet spaces.
Please share this episode with a friend and join us next time as we explore more ways to live our faith boldly. Until then, keep praying, keep fasting, and keep seeking Him.
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