Healing Through Fasting And Prayer
How fasting and prayer benefits us spiritually, mentally and physically.
Have you ever prayed… and nothing changed? Not your anxiety. Not the struggle. Not the confusion.
If you’ve been praying… but nothing is changing—if you feel spiritually stuck, emotionally drained, or mentally overwhelmed—the issue may not be your faith.
Jesus Himself said some breakthroughs require prayer and fasting.
If you’re spiritually stuck, emotionally overwhelmed, or fighting the same battles over and over…this message may explain why.
Today, I’m going to show you why fasting is essential, not just spiritually, but mentally and physically, and how science is now proving what the Bible already told us. Fasting strengthens your spirit, rewires your brain, and unlocks holistic healing.
“This might be the breakthrough you’ve been missing.”
Let me explain…
Matthew 17: 21 KJV However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
In Matthew 17 Jesus’s disciple had a hard time casting a demon out of someone they were trying to help. They failed to cast it out and then Jesus had to do it for them. Afterwards the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast it out. Jesus said that this kind comes out only through fasting and prayer. This kind of demon can only go out through prayer and fasting. There are some troubles you will have in life, spiritually, physically and mentally, where fasting will be essential. There are certain battles against demonic forces where short 5 mins prayers will not be very effective. Some problems require prayer AND fasting. Some problems need you to be in prayer for hours.
In Matthew 6: 16-18 when Jesus was talking about fasting. He starts out saying WHEN you fast then give the instructions. He does NOT say IF you fast…He said WHEN. Which tells me there is an assumption that fasting will be a part of my life as a believer. If you are a believer that never fasts, then you will be a believer that is often spiritually weak.
Why do I say that? Because of what we read in Matthew 12: 43-45 NRSV
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it returns, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”
The spirit that was cast out came back with stronger demons. This means the person they are attacking should have or will now need to upgrade their prayer life. Through fasting, consecration and more intimacy with the Lord. Fasting is essential. Fasting helps you feed your spirit. When we are fasting, we should be reading the Word of God and praying, more often than we already do. If you are not reading the word and praying during a fast, then you are just starving yourself.
I would encourage you to read and study Isaiah 58 to understand true fasting. After God laid out to Israel the proper way to fast, he then states what they can expect afterwards in verse 8
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Fasting can bring about healing. Spiritually, mentally and physically. Fasting is a part of our worship and how we humble ourselves before the Lord. Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice.
I do not believe you always have to be called by God to fast. Sometimes God will tell you when, how and for how long. But we also see in the Bible that it was a discipline expected of us like praying and reading the Bible. I do not need to hear the voice of God telling me to pray and read the word to start. I know I must do it because the Word is my spiritual food and prayer is my connection and communication to God. Without those, I will be spiritually malnourished.
The biblical definition of fasting is to abstain from food for a certain period. Whether that is a full 24 to 72 hrs, or more. Partially in the day, like 6am to 3pm, 6am to 6pm, 6am to 12pm. Fasting can include drinking water throughout the day. Or it can be dry fast with no water. A full dry fast cannot be done for more than three days because the human body cannot go more than three days without water.
While fasting, the word of God replaces your physical meals. If you normally eat three times a day, then you should be praying and reading your word at least three times a day. More of course is better. The idea is that at the time you would normally feed your flesh now you are taking the time to feed your spirit instead.
You can, and may at times, should plan what you will fast and pray about. Repentance, forgiveness of others, thanksgiving and worship are staples that should always be present in your prayers while fasting. Then you can make your request known to the Lord, continue to seek his face etc.
When we fast, it is worship unto God, an act of humility. Fasting is for every believer. Fasting helps us grow in faith, grow spiritually and grow closer to God. If you are confused in life, go on a fast. If you do not know God’s will for your life, go on a fast. If you have trouble forgiving people, go on a fast. If you have trouble with any sin that is a stronghold in your life, go fast. If you need to break curses in your life, go fast. If you are having trouble hearing from God, go on a fast. If you need some blessing and favor from God, go on a fast. If you need to get closer to God and want to seek his kingdom, go on a fast.
When you do, God will increase your faith and move in your life more abundantly. We must fast the way God instructed and not however we want. Fast with our faith in Jesus Christ, the word of God and not in anyone or anything else. When you do this, you can expect the Lord to answer you and speak. God speaks in many ways and fasting can help you get to that place where you can hear him more clearly.
Now I must say fasting is no magic tool. Do not make an idol of it. Fasting is a tool and resource like any other, but remember it is Jesus Christ who heals you and delivers you. Not the fasting in and of itself.
Mental and Physical Benefits
Praying and fasting also improves our mental health. Neuroscience has proven what the bible already told us was true. That the Lord, and the act of prayer physically changes our brain in a positive way. There was a study by a neuron scientist who took a brain scan and saw that there was a difference within the brains of those who pray and those who do not. A good difference. People who pray tend to be happier, look younger and be more resilient through times of trouble. God’s word transforms us inside and out.
Prayer in and of itself releases Oxytocin. Oxytocin is considered the love hormone and is responsible for causing bonds and connections between us and another. It fosters connection, trust, and feelings of security. This hormone is released during acts of love and intimacy such as when we hug, give birth to a child, like hugging, cuddling, childbirth, and also prayer.
Prayers increase blood flow to our frontal lobes, which is where the decision-making part of our brain resides. It decreases your blood pressure and heart rate. Prayer also releases serotonin, which is the chemical that helps us regulate emotions, mood and cognition.
“Numerous studies suggest that prayer can promote mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. For instance, a study conducted by Wachholtz and Pargament (2005) found that individuals who engage in spiritual practices, including prayer, report lower levels of depression and anxiety than non-practitioners. Similarly, Koenig et al. (2001) demonstrated that regular engagement in prayer or meditation is associated with better mental health outcomes, including greater life satisfaction and a lower prevalence of psychiatric symptoms. Prayer has also been shown to enhance emotional resilience and coping strategies. In particular, contemplative or meditative prayer, which involves focused attention and deep breathing, helps individuals manage stressful situations and fosters a sense of inner peace. This calming effect is partly due to the reduction of the body’s stress response, which is known to negatively affect serotonin levels” – According to the International Journal of Science and Research Archive
Fasting also transforms us not only spiritually but also mentally and physically. The food we eat can add to the stress, anxiety and depression we are experiencing as well. Many who drink coffee experience anxiety due to the stimulation of the caffeine. Fried food often causes us to feel heavy and down and all the processed sugar causes us to crash and burn out. We live in a world that overindulges in food to the point of gluttony. Food is an addiction for many. Also, let’s be real the food industry puts a lot of dangerous things into our food that is also causing us harm.
Physically fasting can be beneficial to us when we enter a state called Autophagy. "Autophagy, or "self-eating," is a vital, natural, and highly regulated cellular cleanup process where cells break down and recycle damaged, dysfunctional, or old components to maintain health and homeostasis. Plainly it is when our body starts eating the unnecessary dead cells in our body to survive because of the lack of food. It can be a form of detox.
Many of us need to detox considering all the chemicals and other harmful things we are eating and that are in our foods. Detoxing is a common practice in most Caribbean and African cultures. Something I did not hear often growing up in the USA…well up until more recently. Many are detoxing, fasting and experiencing healing and other physical benefits. In Fasting Your Way to Health by Lee Bueno I read about a study done with cancer patients and those who fasted while on chemotherapy and those who did not. Those who fasted while undergoing treatment healed or healed faster in comparison to those who did not.
These are just some of the ways prayer and fasting can benefit us physically, mentally and spiritually
Therefore, submit and humble yourself under the mighty hand of the Lord. We humble ourselves through fasting. We go to war through fasting. If fasting is something you never or rarely do. I encourage you to consider slowly adding this discipline into your spiritual routine. If you feel confused, anxious, or spiritually weak —this isn’t condemnation.
It is an invitation… to fast
