Real with Rue

January marks the beginning of the new year for most of us, but it also signals the end of the gluttony of the festive season. For many churches, it is also the start of a fasting period. I have been fasting intentionally all my life since I was 21 years old, but I would say that I truly understood the principles and purpose of fasting around the ages of 24–25. I am going to share my biblically based advice for those who may not understand what fasting is or how to do it. Again, this is not perfect.

What Is Fasting?

Fasting is when you abstain from food or drink for a period of time, and as Christians, we replace the time we would normally eat or drink with prayer and reading the Word in order to draw nearer to Christ. This is rooted in the Bible verse: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Essentially, the presence of God becomes your sustenance.

There are different types of fasts, from a timed fast—which I normally do from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. the next day—to the Daniel Fast (Daniel 10:3), which is a restricted vegetable-based diet for 21 days, and the Esther Fast, during which for three days you do not eat food or drink water. Taking time away from social media, not going to the gym, or stopping something that is not food or drink is not fasting; rather, it is abstaining, and while helpful, it is not biblical fasting.

When Do I Fast?

Fasting is meant to be secondary to the Christian walk; it is meant to be a lifestyle. Jesus says in Matthew 6:16, “When you fast”—not “if.” This shows that fasting is a conditional part of being a steadfast and mature Christian. I remember growing up when my home church fasted every Monday of every week. At the time, as someone who had not yet encountered the Lord, I believed this was excessive and unnecessary.

However, fasting is meant to be an integral part of a Christian’s life. We should not look at fasting as a way to push our own agenda, but rather as a way to draw nearer to Christ—whether to allow Him to change our hearts or to seek His guidance.

Does this mean that if you want something, you should not fast for it? Yes and no. In Esther 4, the people fasted to seek divine intervention against a decree set to destroy the Jews. They were seeking something, but ultimately they were seeking the glory of God. I fast every December as I enter a new year of age, so I do not believe it is wrong to fast for God’s favour in a situation—so long as we remember that fasting is not for us, but to draw nearer to Him. Even then, there is no certainty that God will intervene in the way we expect, because God is sovereign. We always pray for His will.

You can fast for:

• Repentance (which I have done when I fell into lust; see 2 Samuel 12:22)
• Spiritual clarity — whatever is sown during fasting is never wasted. Fasting is one of the greatest ways to hear from God clearly when done correctly.
• Intimacy with God, as Jesus did for 40 days and 40 nights before beginning His ministry
• Spiritual warfare, as Jesus taught that some demonic issues require prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29)
• Guidance and decision-making, as the early church fasted before appointing leaders or beginning missions (Acts 14:23).

How do I fast?

Fasting is not a spiritual performance, nor is it a religious obligation meant to impress others. It is a deeply personal and intentional act of surrender that draws us closer to the heart of God. When done with the right posture, fasting shifts our focus away from our flesh and onto Christ, allowing His voice to become clearer and His presence more tangible.

Whether fasting for repentance, guidance, spiritual clarity, or simply to deepen intimacy with God, the purpose remains the same: to seek Him above all else. Fasting reminds us that our true sustenance does not come from food alone, but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Ultimately, fasting is not about what we give up—it is about who we draw closer to.

It’s been real,

Rue