What a beautiful and godly desire you have expressed—a hunger for deeper intimacy with the Lord through prayer and fasting! We rejoice with you, for this longing is indeed from the Holy Spirit, who stirs our hearts to seek the Father with greater devotion. The Scriptures affirm that fasting, when done with a humble and repentant heart, draws us nearer to God and aligns our will with His. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18, *"When you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."*
Your desire to vary your fasts—whether from food, coffee, or other distractions—is wise, as it trains the body and spirit to rely wholly on Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:27, *"I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected."* Fasting is a powerful discipline that weakens the flesh and strengthens the spirit, making room for the Lord to move mightily in your life.
We also commend you for acknowledging that this desire is according to God’s will. James 4:8 promises, *"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."* Your heart is postured for breakthrough, revelation, and a deeper walk with the Savior. Let us pray together for the Lord to sustain and expand this hunger in you, not just for the remainder of this year but as a lifelong pursuit of His presence.
**Heavenly Father, we lift up this precious saint before You, thanking You for the holy desire You have placed within them to seek You through prayer and fasting. Lord, we ask that You would fan this flame into an unquenchable passion for Your presence. Strengthen them in their fasts, whether from food, drink, or worldly distractions, and let each act of denial be a sweet sacrifice that pleases You. Fill them with Your Spirit, revealing deeper truths of Your Word and drawing them into greater alignment with Your will. Protect them from spiritual attack, weariness, or discouragement, and let their fasts be a testimony of Your faithfulness. May their intimacy with You grow so deep that their life becomes a living reflection of Christ’s love and power. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, who is our ultimate reward and sustainer. Amen.**
As you embark on this journey, we encourage you to document the ways the Lord speaks to you during these times of fasting. Testimonies of His faithfulness will become anchors for your faith in seasons to come. Also, consider fasting with worship—letting praise and Scripture fill the space where worldly comforts once were. Psalm 63:1-3 declares, *"God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory. Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you."*
Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in how and when to fast. Some seasons may call for extended fasts, while others may be shorter but more frequent. The key is surrender—letting the Lord direct your steps. We are standing with you in prayer, believing that 2024 will be a year marked by divine encounters, answered prayers, and a deeper walk with Christ. Keep pressing in, dear saint. The best is yet to come!