Fasting: A Path to Spiritual Hunger and Renewal

Devotional

Day 1: Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

True satisfaction comes from a deep hunger and thirst for God, not from the things of this world. When you crave God above all else, you will find a fulfillment that never disappoints, a fullness that leaves you grateful and blessed. The world offers many things to fill our emptiness, but only God can truly satisfy the longing of your soul. As you pursue Him, your appetite for lesser things fades, and your desire for His presence grows stronger. Let your heart be stirred to seek Him first, knowing that He promises to fill those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. [02:59]

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been seeking satisfaction apart from God? How can you intentionally turn your hunger toward Him today?

Day 2: Fasting as a Pathway to Breakthrough

Fasting is not just about going without food; it is a spiritual act that positions you for breakthrough, deliverance, and divine favor. When Esther faced an impossible situation, she called for a fast, and God turned certain death into victory and favor. Fasting is a way to humble yourself before God, to seek His intervention, and to invite Him to do what only He can do. In times of crisis, fasting and prayer become the keys that unlock doors no one else can open, reversing the plans of the enemy and bringing about miraculous turnarounds. [36:30]

Esther 4:15-16 (ESV)
"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 'Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.'"

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life that feels impossible or overwhelming? Are you willing to set aside comfort and fast, seeking God for a breakthrough?

Day 3: Fasting Fuels Spiritual Hunger and Sensitivity

Fasting is a paradox: the more you fast, the hungrier you become for God, and the more your spiritual senses are sharpened. By denying your flesh, you crucify its desires and make room for a deeper awareness of God's presence and voice. Just as physical senses can compensate for one another, shutting down the appetite of the flesh through fasting heightens your ability to hear from the Holy Spirit. Fasting is how you delight yourself in the Lord, allowing Him to plant His desires in your heart and transform your wants to align with His will. [25:24]

Ezra 8:21-23 (ESV)
"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, 'The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.' So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty."

Reflection: What is one craving or habit of the flesh that you need to crucify so you can become more sensitive to God's presence and voice?

Day 4: Fasting Positions You for God’s Calling

Fasting not only brings deliverance in crisis but also prepares your heart to say yes to God’s calling, even when it costs you something. Like Esther, who risked her life, and Ezra, who risked his journey, fasting aligns your heart with God’s assignment and empowers you to step into your purpose. It is through fasting and prayer that you move from reluctance to obedience, from fear to faith, and from comfort to courage. Fasting pulls you out of spiritual neutral and launches you into the victory and destiny God has prepared for you. [46:04]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Where is God calling you to step out in faith or obedience, and how might fasting help you surrender your fears and say yes to His purpose?

Day 5: Fasting Ignites Revival and Multiplies God’s Power

Throughout history, seasons of prayer and fasting have sparked powerful moves of God, bringing revival, unity, and transformation. When you fast and pray, you are not just following a spiritual discipline—you are inviting God to supersize your efforts, to do what only He can do, and to release His power in your life and community. Fasting is not loss but gain; it is not weakness but power. As you set aside time to seek God with your whole heart, you position yourself and your church for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit, breakthrough, and lasting impact. [52:24]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Reflection: What would it look like for you to join with others in prayer and fasting for revival? How can you set aside time this week to seek God for a fresh move of His Spirit in your life and church?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to seek God’s heart for our nation, our families, and our own lives, recognizing that we are in a season where only a deeper hunger for God will truly satisfy. We prayed for healing in our land, for comfort for those grieving, and for revival among the next generation. The call was clear: to move beyond a consumer Christianity and into a place of spiritual hunger that leads to transformation, breakthrough, and alignment with God’s purposes.

Drawing from Matthew, Esther, and Ezra, we saw that the people of God have always been called to fast and pray in times of crisis and transition. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is about denying lesser appetites to pursue the greater hunger for God Himself. In the kingdom, hungry people fast—not because they are satisfied, but because they crave more of God’s presence, power, and direction. This spiritual paradox means that the more we fast, the hungrier we become for God, and the more satisfied we are in Him.

The stories of Esther and Ezra reveal that fasting is the key that unlocks deliverance, protection, and renewal. When all seemed lost, their willingness to fast and seek God’s face brought about miraculous turnarounds—Esther’s fast reversed a royal edict of destruction, and Ezra’s fast secured safe passage through danger. These biblical patterns show us that personal and corporate revival always precede true renewal and restoration.

Fasting crucifies the flesh, making us more sensitive to God’s presence and voice. It sharpens our spiritual hearing, allowing us to discern God’s will and resist the enemy’s lies. Fasting is not a religious duty but a passionate pursuit of God, where our desires are transformed to align with His. It is the power twin of prayer, bringing breakthrough in areas where we have faced stubborn resistance, generational strongholds, or seemingly impossible situations.

Finally, fasting positions us for God’s calling. It prepares our hearts to say “yes” to God, even when it costs us something. Just as Esther, Ezra, and even Jesus were empowered for their divine assignments through fasting, so too are we invited to step into God’s purposes with fresh power and clarity. As a church, we are entering a 21-day season of prayer and fasting, believing for revival, breakthrough, and a greater manifestation of God’s presence in our midst.

Key Takeaways

1. Fasting is a spiritual paradox: the more we fast, the hungrier we become for God, and the more satisfied we are in Him. It is not about deprivation, but about exchanging lesser appetites for the supreme satisfaction found in God’s presence. This hunger fuels revival and personal transformation, making fasting a vital discipline for every believer. [05:57]
2. True spiritual renewal begins with crucifying the flesh. Fasting is a practical way to confront and subdue the desires that keep us from God, shifting our focus from external sins to the internal battle within. When we hate the sin in our own lives more than the sin in others, we open ourselves to deeper repentance and lasting change. [11:45]
3. Fasting heightens our spiritual sensitivity, making us more aware of God’s presence and more attuned to His voice. Just as physical senses can compensate for one another, shutting down the appetite of the flesh sharpens our ability to hear and discern the Holy Spirit. This leads to greater authority, revelation, and victory over the enemy’s schemes. [20:10]
4. Breakthrough often comes through the power twins of prayer and fasting. Some obstacles, strongholds, and generational patterns will not move by prayer alone; they require the deeper consecration and surrender that fasting brings. When we fast, we position ourselves for God’s intervention, protection, and miraculous reversals, as seen in the lives of Esther and Ezra. [39:47]
5. Fasting not only delivers us from crisis but also prepares us for our calling. It aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, giving us the courage to say “yes” even when obedience is costly. Fasting launches us from spiritual neutrality into empowered living, setting us up for victory, breakthrough, and the fulfillment of our divine assignment. [46:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Prayer for the Nation and Revival
[02:59] - Scripture Readings: Matthew, Esther, Ezra
[05:57] - The Paradox of Spiritual Hunger
[11:45] - Crucifying the Flesh Through Fasting
[16:32] - Fasting and God’s Presence
[19:28] - Sharpening Spiritual Hearing
[23:50] - Delighting in God and Transformed Desires
[27:13] - Fasting Brings Breakthrough
[30:05] - Esther’s Story: Divine Favor and Purpose
[33:08] - The Cost of Obedience
[36:30] - Crisis as a Call to Hunger
[39:47] - Power Twins: Prayer and Fasting
[44:13] - Fasting as Protection and Provision
[46:04] - Fasting Positions Us for Calling
[52:24] - The Azusa Street Revival: Power of Prayer and Fasting
[53:23] - 21-Day Church Fast: Invitation and Instructions
[55:07] - Practical Details and Closing Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) — > “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Esther 4:15-16 (ESV) — > Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Ezra 8:21-23 (ESV) — > Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 5:6, what does Jesus say will happen to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness?
According to Esther 4:15-16, what specific action did Esther ask the people to take before she approached the king? What was at stake for her? [33:08]
In Ezra 8:21-23, why did Ezra choose to fast and pray instead of asking the king for protection? What was the result? [05:57]
The sermon described fasting as a “spiritual paradox.” What does that mean, and how is it different from how we usually think about hunger? [05:57]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus connects being “filled” or “satisfied” with spiritual hunger, rather than physical hunger? How does this relate to the idea that “hungry people fast”? [05:57]
What does Esther’s willingness to fast and risk her life teach us about the relationship between fasting, courage, and obedience to God’s calling? [33:08]
The sermon said that fasting “crucifies the flesh” and makes us more sensitive to God’s presence and voice. What does it mean to “crucify the flesh” in practical terms? [11:45]
The pastor mentioned that some breakthroughs only come through the “power twins” of prayer and fasting. Why might prayer alone sometimes not be enough? [39:47]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to move beyond “consumer Christianity” and develop a deeper hunger for God. In what ways have you noticed a consumer mindset in your own faith? What would it look like for you to pursue God with more hunger this season? [46:04]
Fasting is described as denying lesser appetites to pursue a greater hunger for God. What are some “lesser appetites” (habits, distractions, comforts) in your life that might be dulling your spiritual hunger? Are you willing to set any of these aside during the 21-day fast? [05:57]
The sermon said, “When we hate the sin in our own lives more than the sin in others, we open ourselves to deeper repentance and lasting change.” Is there an area of your life where you need to focus on your own repentance rather than judging others? What would it look like to take a step in that direction? [11:45]
Fasting is said to sharpen our spiritual hearing. Have you ever experienced greater clarity or sensitivity to God’s voice during a time of fasting or focused prayer? If not, what would you hope to hear from God if you set aside time to fast? [20:10]
The stories of Esther and Ezra show that fasting can bring breakthrough, protection, and deliverance. Is there a specific area in your life, family, or community where you are seeking breakthrough? How can you incorporate fasting and prayer into your response? [39:47]
The pastor said that fasting prepares our hearts to say “yes” to God, even when it costs us something. Is there something God is asking you to do that feels costly or risky? How might fasting help you surrender and obey? [46:04]
As a church, we are entering a 21-day season of prayer and fasting. What is one practical step you can take to participate, even if you have never fasted before? (For example: fasting one meal a day, fasting from sun-up to sun-down, or fasting from a non-food habit.) [53:23]

Sermon Clips

God is faithful to his promises. And naturally looking, when it looks improbable, when it looks like it's over, when man says you can't come back from it again, God says, I'm just getting started. I want you to know that we serve a God who is good. We serve a God who is faithful. We serve a God who is committed to our comebacks in life. [00:06:50] (21 seconds) #GodIsFaithfulInComebacks

Fasting is one of the principles for how you and I crucify our flesh as a believer that's what you're supposed to do with your flesh you're not supposed to let your flesh dictate what's right and wrong to you you're not supposed to let your flesh dictate what God has created you to be you are supposed to crucify your flesh as a believer you are supposed to demand of your flesh that it comes into alignment with the things of God. [00:11:45] (27 seconds) #CrucifyTheFlesh

Fasting is a paradox. It doesn't just show hunger. It grows it. When you fast. Cravings fade, and spiritual cravings sharpen. Hunger pains become reminders I need God more than bread. Just like the detox resets your physical appetite, fasting resets your spiritual appetite. That's why Jesus said, not if you fast, but when you fast. [00:26:21] (31 seconds) #FastingGrowsSpiritualHunger

If you are not worshiping around the word of God and the person of Jesus Christ, you're not worshiping. You're straying even further from God. I don't care what it looks like on the outside. I don't care how dressed up it is. If it's not based on the word of God, it's not worship of Jesus Christ. [00:27:51] (17 seconds) #TrueWorshipIsWordCentered

Can I tell you, God has made everybody with something. God has made everybody with something, whether it's outward beauty or inward beauty, whether it's a gift, talent, or ability. God has put something in everybody and on everybody to get you to where he needs you to be. And the reason why you are the way you are is not by accident, but it's because you have been constructed by Christ for divine design. You have been built on perfect, on purpose. You are perfect for your purpose. [00:30:34] (31 seconds) #DivineDesignPurpose

Crisis is a call to hunger. Crisis is a time where God is saying get hungry for me where it's God's divine call he said okay come closer to me he said you're in desperate need of a breakthrough come on and come closer to me progress rapidly toward my presence fasting progressing rapidly towards the heart and the presence of god you need a breakthrough in your marriage fast and pray you need your kids to turn around fast and pray you need your work to turn around fast and pray you need your finances to turn around fast and pray you need your health to turn around fast and pray you need your addictions broken fast and pray crisis is a call to hunger. [00:38:35] (37 seconds) #CrisisCallsForHunger

If you need a breakthrough in your life, fast and pray. They are power twins. They multiply the power of God in your life. In the scripture, we find power twins all over the place. Prayer and giving, power twins. Prayer and agreement, power twins. Prayer and faith, power twins. Prayer and action, power twins. Prayer and fasting, power twins. When you pray and fast, breakthrough happens, and the more fierce demons leave. [00:42:22] (29 seconds) #PowerTwinsPrayerAndFasting

Fasting prepares our hearts to say yes to God even when it costs something. Esther risked her life. Ezra risked his journey. Jesus embraced the cross. Yes, fasting creates obedience that unleashes destiny and ultimately leads to breakthrough and victory in your life. Fasting aligns you with God's assignment. It pulls you out of neutral and launches you into victory. [00:50:18] (27 seconds) #FastingUnleashesDestiny

``Fasting is not loss. It is gain. It is not weakness. It is power. It is not death. It is life. Like Esther, if you need deliverance, turnaround, or breakthrough, pray and fast. Like Ezra, if you need protection and guidance, pray and fast. Like Jesus, if you want to fulfill your mission and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, pray and fast. If you want victory over stubborn addictions, pray and fast. If you want victory in a stalled marriage, pray and fast. If you want victory in your daily walk with God, pray and fast. If you want victory in your pursuit of purpose, pray and fast. If you want victory over fear and anxiety, pray and fast. If you want victory in releasing God's power, pray and fast. Pray and fast. Pray and fast. Pray and fast. Pray and fast. [00:51:28] (52 seconds) #PrayAndFastForVictory

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