The Power of Fasting: God’s Design for Healing in Body and Spirit

Good morning, church. Today, we are going to talk about a powerful, yet often misunderstood spiritual discipline—fasting.

We live in a world where we are surrounded by material abundance, convenience, and instant gratification. The idea of denying ourselves something that is so easily accessible seems counter-cultural, doesn’t it? Yet, throughout Scripture, fasting is portrayed as a powerful tool that God has designed for both spiritual and physical healing.

Many of us are familiar with fasting from a spiritual perspective, but God’s design for fasting goes beyond just spiritual growth—it has profound effects on our physical well-being too. Fasting is not just about giving up food or drink; it is about aligning our lives with God's will and experiencing His healing in every area of our lives.

1. The Biblical Foundation of Fasting:

Fasting is a practice that stretches all the way back to the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New, we see examples of God's people fasting to seek His guidance, to repent, to humble themselves, and to invite God's presence into their lives.

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus teaches about fasting when He says:

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to others but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Jesus doesn’t say, “If you fast,” but “when you fast”. Fasting is a regular part of the Christian life, and Jesus assumes that His followers will participate in this spiritual practice. But it’s not about showing off or seeking attention—it’s about a personal, intimate experience with God.

Fasting is designed to help us focus on God, draw nearer to Him, and submit ourselves to His will. It is a way to put aside distractions and devote time and energy to prayer, worship, and seeking God’s heart.

2. Fasting as a Path to Spiritual Healing:

Fasting, at its core, is about spiritual healing. When we fast, we are humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our dependence on Him for everything. James 4:10 tells us: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." Fasting is a way of intentionally humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

During a fast, we make room for God to speak to us in ways that we might not hear in the busyness of our everyday lives. It’s a time to refocus and realign our priorities with God’s purposes. It’s a time of spiritual detox, where we cleanse our hearts and minds of distractions, idols, and sinful tendencies, and allow God to heal us spiritually.

3. Fasting as a Tool for Physical Healing:

Beyond the spiritual aspects, fasting is also a tool for physical healing. In our world today, we’re seeing increasing evidence that fasting can have profound benefits for our physical health. When we fast, we give our digestive system a break and allow our body to focus on repairing and rejuvenating itself.

The scientific community has acknowledged that intermittent fasting and extended periods of fasting can help to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, promote longevity and yes even heal cancer! Studies have shown that doing a 7 day water fast can reduce the probability of getting cancer by over 90 percent, and furthermore, a 21 day fast has been shown to bring up to stage 4 patients into complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

But this is not something that is just a modern discovery. In fact, fasting is God’s design for holistic healing—He knows the body He created, and He knows what it needs. In the Bible, we see examples of fasting leading to physical breakthroughs.

In Daniel 1:8-15, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the king’s rich food and instead choose vegetables and water. After 10 days, their health and appearance are found to be better than the others.

"At the end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food." (Daniel 1:15)

God’s design for fasting isn't just about abstaining from food—it’s about inviting His healing power into our bodies. By fasting, we allow our body to reset and restore itself, giving God the opportunity to work within us physically as well as spiritually.

4. Fasting Breaks the Power of the Flesh:

Fasting also helps us break free from the power of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17 says:

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."

The flesh is the part of us that wants to indulge in selfish desires, instant gratification, and sinful habits. When we fast, we are training our flesh to submit to the Spirit. We say "no" to temporary pleasures and "yes" to God's presence and healing. We crucify the desires of the flesh in order to rise in the power of the Spirit.

Fasting teaches us self-control, humility, and reliance on God. By denying ourselves something that is good (like food), we learn to say "no" to things that are ultimately harmful to our spiritual health, our physical health, and our relationship with God.

5. Fasting for Deliverance and Breakthrough:

In addition to healing, fasting is also a powerful tool for deliverance and breakthrough. In Matthew 17:21, when Jesus’ disciples could not cast out a demon, He says:

"But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

There are spiritual battles that require more than just prayer. They require a focused season of fasting. Fasting amplifies our prayers, helps us to draw closer to God, and prepares us to receive a breakthrough in areas where we may be struggling—whether it’s sin, addiction, depression, or even spiritual oppression.

God often uses fasting to bring deliverance to His people. Whether we need deliverance from physical sickness, spiritual strongholds, or emotional wounds, fasting is a tool that God has provided to help us experience His healing power.

6. The Rewards of Fasting:

Finally, the Bible promises that fasting brings spiritual rewards. In Isaiah 58:6-11, God speaks to His people about the kind of fast He desires. He promises that when we fast in a way that aligns with His will, He will bless us.

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I." (Isaiah 58:8-9)

Fasting brings healing—not just physically, but spiritually. It draws us closer to God and aligns our hearts with His. The rewards of fasting include clarity, breakthrough, spiritual renewal, and healing that we cannot obtain in any other way. It is a powerful tool that God has given to us to bring us into greater intimacy with Him.

Conclusion:

Church, fasting is not just a ritual or a burden—it is God’s design for healing. It is a tool for spiritual growth, physical restoration, and emotional freedom. When we fast, we humble ourselves before God, allowing Him to heal us, strengthen us, and draw us closer to Him.

We live in a world that is full of distractions, but fasting is the key to refocusing our hearts and minds on God’s will. Whether we are seeking healing, breakthrough, or just greater intimacy with God, fasting is a powerful and life-changing practice.

Let us embrace fasting as a tool that God has given us to experience His power and healing in both body and spirit.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of fasting. We recognize that fasting is not just about giving up food, but about surrendering ourselves to You—body, soul, and spirit. Help us to use this powerful tool to draw closer to You, to experience healing, and to grow in faith. We pray that through fasting, You would heal our bodies, restore our souls, and bring breakthrough in every area of our lives. May we always seek Your will, Your presence, and Your healing power. In Jesus' name, Amen.