A Biblical Guide - The Power of Fasting and Praying -(Matthew 6:5-8, 16-18)

Sermon on 24 May 2026 by Pastor Justin Chia

Fasting and praying carries tremendous power in deliverance, protection, and provision. Fasting and praying is a God ordained mean to humble ourselves to draw near to God. It allows us to have discipline to sharpen our sensitivity, and to listen to the spirit of God to align our will to God. Praying is a demonstration of your trust and belief.

Matthew 6:5-8, 16-18 - ““When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

‭‭Prayer is a deep personal relationship with God. Even before you utter a word, God knows exactly what is in your heart. But He wants us to have a relationship with Him by talking and communicating. When you speak, He listens. And when He speaks to you, you should listen. We remain silent and the spirit will minister to us. Fasting is to be seen only by God.

Fasting is an expression of our humility on only relying on His power. Prayer is an expression of our sincere drawing to God. Fasting is not to gain approval from man but to seek approval from God only. Fasting is not man’s idea. We don’t do it because we want to do it but it is through the Holy Spirit. Fasting and praying are spiritual disciplines prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide and train us. Fasting and praying are God ordained means to humble us, sharpen us, and align us.

Fasting is essentially giving up food for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God through prayer.

Psalms 35:13 - “Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.”

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Matthew 4:1-2 - “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.”

Bible verses about fasting:

• Joel 2:12 (Wholehearted repentance)

• Daniel 10:3 (Partial fast)

• Ezra 8:23 (Humble dependence)

• Psalms 69:10 (Personal humility)

• Exodus 34:28 (Divine encounter)

• Nehemiah 1:4 (Burdened intercession)

• Acts 13:2 (Divine direction)

• Acts 14:23 (Leadership commissioning)

• Matthew 6:16-18 (Sincere devotion)

Joel 2:12 - “That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

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Daniel 10:3 - “All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.”

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Ezra 8:23 - “So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”

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Psalms 69:10 - “When I weep and fast, they scoff at me.”

‭Exodus 34:28 - “Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.”

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Nehemiah 1:4 - “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”

Acts 13:2 - “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.””

Acts 14:23 - “Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

‭‭Matthew 6:16-18 - ““And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

‭‭There are 5 types of fasting found in the Bible. When you fast or pray privately, God will reward you publicly. God must be your focus during the fast.

1. Absolute fast (no food and water for a period of time)

Esther 4:16 - ““Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.””

This type of fast involved abstaining from food and water for a set period. Moses fasted for 40 days and wrote the Ten Commandments. It is a fast of desperation and complete dependence on God. A fast shows intense reliance on God’s intervention.

2. Normal fast (no food but with water, many Christians practice this fast)

Matthew 4:2 - “For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.”

‭‭This type of fast involves consuming only water, no food. This fast is to seek God in preparation for ministry, direction, or spiritual empowerment.

Acts 13:2-3 - “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”

‭‭This fast reflects your dependence on the Word of God and not bread alone.

Matthew 4:4 - “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

‭‭3. Partial (or Daniel) fast (mainly vegetarian, usually done over an extended period of time)

Daniel 10:2-3 - “When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.”

‭‭This type of fast involves restricting certain foods, often for an extended period of time. This is a fast to gain understanding and receive revelation from God. It also teaches discipline and prioritises spiritual growth over physical pleasure.

4. Corporate fast (done in a group)

Joel 2:12, 16 - “That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Gather all the people— the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room.”

‭‭This type of fast is done by a group of people, like a community, church or a nation. It is a fast to seek God’s mercy, intervention, and healing in times of crisis. It reflects unity, repentance, and corporate humility before God.

5. Private fast

Matthew 6:16-18 - ““And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

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This type of fast is to seek intimacy with God, intercede personally, or receive direction. It build personal devotion and strengthens one’s private walk with God. It should not appear unto man to fast, but keep it private and secret before God.

Whether we do an individual or corporate fast, or an absolute or normal fast, it is a powerful tool that can transform our lives. Fasting and praying is a God ordained means to sharpen us and align our will with Him. We won’t entertain the small voices but will be sensitive to the spirit. Fasting and praying are tools for transformation. Fasting and praying must always focus on God. Fasting and praying carry powerful results in deliverance, devotion, revelation, victory, and spiritual renewal.

Amen.