The boys were engrossed in a basketball game on TV last night. The team’s star was on a hot streak and seemed to make every shot he took. Crazy shots. Off-balance, over the head of a defender who must have been a foot taller. From nearly mid-court. Three-pointers from way beyond the three-point line. He just couldn’t miss a shot.
We’ve all seen examples like this – in sports or in other endeavors – where someone is “in the zone,” totally focused and excelling at whatever they’re doing. What’s the secret to such success and how can we tap into it for ourselves?
Get “In the {Spiritual} Zone” Through Prayer and Fasting
In the case of this basketball player, my husband explained to my son how he practiced and warmed up. This player continually trains so that the basketball became like an extension of his arm until the movements became fluid and natural.
Can you apply the same practice to your spiritual life? How can you practice and focus so that you’re “in the zone” in your spiritual life, living a life more connected with God?
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Importance of Fasting for Your Spiritual Life
Let’s take a look at the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer, and how they can help you stay “in the zone” with God.
In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus explains that we need to be continually in prayer and fasting in order to be “in the zone” with him and be able to push back the demons from our lives and stay firm in our faith.
In this passage, Jesus has just returned from the mountaintop where he met with Elijah and Moses and was transfigured. He finds the other disciples in an argument with local religious leaders.
The disciples had tried, unsuccessfully, to drive out the demon who possessed a young boy. They had done such acts before, but were unable to drive this one out. The disciples seemed stymied by their lack of power and the people seemed to be questioning.
Jesus rebukes the group for their lack of faith. The boy’s father exclaims one of my favorite statements, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Then, Jesus drives out the demon and heals the boy.
Fasting and Prayer for Breakthrough Faith
The disciples later asked Jesus why they’d been unable to drive out this demon. What was the difference in this one versus others they’d been able to cast out?
Jesus explained in Mark 9:29, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”
The interesting part here is that Jesus didn’t first stop to pray and fast before he healed the boy. He didn’t send everyone home to pray and fast for several days.
Jesus was able to cast out this demon because he’d already been engaged in prayer and fasting. He was already “in the zone” and fully ready after praying and fasting on the mountain.
As we seek to become closer to God and stay “in the zone” with him, we need to keep our eyes fixed on him. We do this by studying God’s Word in the Bible, praying continually, and even fasting regularly.
3 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
What does it mean to be “in the zone” with God? What are the spiritual benefits of fasting?
1) Fasting reminds you how much you need God.
You give up food, trusting God to fill you with his nourishment.
2) Fasting helps you focus and hear God’s voice.
Instead of eating, spend that time with God. Listen for his voice.
The more you incorporate fasting and prayer into your life, the more attuned you’ll be to God’s voice in your life.
3) Fasting purifies and strengthens your soul.
Fasting can bring actual changes to your body, removing both physical and spiritual toxins and impurities.
How to Incorporate Fasting Into Your Spiritual Life
Before you begin, make sure fasting is right for you – physically, spiritually, mentally. It’s not for everyone in every season.
What NOT to do:
Below are some cautions before you consider fasting:
- Don’t fast just because you think you should. Listen for God’s nudge and check with Him in prayer if fasting is what He wants you to do.
- Don’t fast if you’re sick, pregnant, nursing, or have other medical reasons not to. Fasting shouldn’t be forced. Listen to your doctor and to God on whether it’s safe for you to fast.
- Don’t expect fasting to always provide immediate results. You may not hear an immediate answer to your prayers.
- Don’t make a big show about fasting (Matthew 6:16-18). This is your personal time with God to focus on hearing His voice more clearly in your life.
Ideas for what TO do:
If you’ve prayed about fasting (and checked with your doctor), and are sure it’s right for you in this season, here are some tips to help you get started:
- You don’t have to take on a lengthy fast. Start small. Maybe skip one meal a week. Start your fast after dinner and do a one-day fast, only skipping two or three meals. Work your way up to longer fasts, if that’s where you feel called.
- Always drink plenty of water and liquids. Stay hydrated.
- Set aside time during your fast to focus on God. Spend your meal time worshipping God, praying, and listening for His voice.
- Use your fasting as a time of reflection, self-denial, focus, listening, and cleansing. Allow God to penetrate your soul to cleanse and purify it, strengthening it for the journey ahead.
Resources on How to Spiritually Fast
If you’re ready to try fasting and explore the spiritual benefits of fasting for yourself, here are some resources to help you get started. Learn more on how to do a spiritual fast (and also when a fast is not appropriate):
Basic Steps to Successful Fasting & Prayer @ creatingfutures.net
Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer @ cru.org
5 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting @ guideposts.org
I’d love to hear your experiences with fasting! How do you fast? What have you experienced from fasting? Will you leave a comment and share your experience?
[Full disclosure: I’m no expert in fasting. I’m only just beginning to try it, but I believe it’s something important to add into my spiritual life.]
[This post is part of the Visible Faith series. Click here to learn more about this series on how to live a vibrant, visible faith.]
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blog8628 says
Oh, this is so good, Kathryn. Fasting is a tough discipline for me and I resisted it for a very long time, until about 3 years ago. I love how you outline its purifying properties. But most of all, I like how you said Jesus didn’t have to “get” ready, He already was. That’s how I long to live my life! Blessings, friend!
Kathryn says
I’ve resisted it for a long time too. Didn’t think I could do it, but how amazing to see how God sustains.
Lois Flowers says
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’m linked up next to you at Purposeful Faith today, Kathryn. You’re right … fasting is a powerful discipline. I’ve not done it for a long time, though, and your words have my thoughts turning in that direction again. Thank you.
Jeanne Takenaka says
Kathyn, such a great post! I haven’t fasted in years because, in the past, my body didn’t tend to adjust to it very well. I love what you shared, and reading your words makes me hungry to know God more through fasting. I’m definitely going to pray about if this is a good time for me to re-visit this spiritual practice.
PS—I’m your neighbor at Holly Barrett’s today. So nice to “meet” you!
Tiffany Garza says
I have been fasting for several years and God keeps nudging me to post about it and just happened to find you today at the link up. Love your incites to it. I was just talking about this verse the other day where fasting and casting out demons coincide. It is always fun seeing where God leads as these disciplines become messed in to our everyday. Blessings on your adventures =) Cheers.
Kathryn says
I’d love to hear your experiences with fasting! Hope you do write that post.
Donna Reidland says
Fasting is one of the disciplines that has fallen on neglect is this day and age. Thanks for a great reminder of its importance.
Michele Morin says
I’m working my way through Matthew 6 and this post is timely! Also in the process of reading Habits of Grace b DAvid Mathis which has a section on fasting –Could it be that God is giving me a nudge??
Kathryn says
I’ve been avoiding this particular discipline for a while, but it came up as a topic for a class I’m co-teaching. Has been a good nudge, though, to give it a try. Starting small and maybe I’ll work up to something bigger.
sarahgirl3 says
“In the zone.” I like that! And I have really thought about on,y fasting for one meal. My body needs to eat on a regular basis, so I have always thought fasting was off limits to me!
Kathryn says
I always thought it had to be for days or months and didn’t think I could possibly do it. I’m starting small – 24 hours, which is really just 2 meals. And it’s been good so far, even in just these small bits
betsydecruz says
Thanks for your encouragement and challenge here, Kathryn. This is excellent. I used to fast once a week, did it on Mondays for about 2 years. It became a day to focus on the Lord and to rest a bit from other things (even though I still had home school.) But somehow, I lost the habit, and more recently have just done it once a month with our church. In recent months, since I’m away from my home church, I’ve discontinued totally. I really would like to try it soon again.
kingsley says
Its nice to read your post very encouraging and easy to follow but to be honest i did fasting in my younger days but now i find it very difficult to do it,when ever i think of fasting i feel tired,lazy,hungry and sleepy which makes me weaker and weaker in my spiritual life Will anyone please pray for me?.