LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Monday 22nd June 2026

THE PURPOSE OF FASTING

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry._ Matthew 4:1–2

The New Testament word for a fast can be seen in two ways. First it means, “to abstain from food.” It also means “to be made empty.”

A vessel that is already full cannot be filled. Similarly, a heart that is already full cannot be filled by God. Those who need to be filled by the Lord must come to Him with hunger and thirst.

We fast…

To develop hunger for God.

When we fast, we turn away from food so that we can turn towards God. We empty ourselves of everything that is a hindrance to our relationship with the Lord. The physical hunger feel must create in us a greater hunger – a hunger for God.

To show God what is in our hearts.

You cannot say that God is more important to you than everything else and yet not be able to put aside food for His sake. Jesus resisted all the temptations of Satan during and after His fast to show that His heart was all for the Father.

To learn to live by God’s word

When we fast, we stop depending on food for sustenance and rather allow the word of God to sustain us. It is important to spend time in the word of God during fasting. Let us draw our strength from God’s Word and Spirit.

To yield to God’s leading.

When we fast, our spirits become more open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When our hearts are set on the Lord, it is easier for us to hear from Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I empty myself of everything that displeases you. Fill me with that which pleases you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.