Fasting: Drawing Near to God Through Surrender

Jan 26, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Keeping Our Eyes Solely Focused on Jesus

Life often throws unexpected challenges that make us feel like we are going in circles. In those moments, the natural response is to seek more courage or better circumstances, but the invitation is actually to surrender. When we feel overwhelmed by mountains or molehills, we must remember that it is only through Him that everything works out. Jesus gently taps us on the shoulder to remind us to look back at Him rather than the distraction. By shifting our gaze from our problems to our Provider, we find the strength to move forward. [02:14]

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Reflection: What is one specific "mountain" or "molehill" currently distracting you from God’s presence, and how can you practically surrender it to Him today?

Day 2: Disciplines as Conduits for God’s Transforming Grace

Spiritual maturity is not measured by how well we perform religious tasks, but by the transformation of our lives. Practices like prayer, reading scripture, and fasting do not possess power in themselves. Instead, they serve as conduits or avenues for God’s grace to flow into our hearts. These habits grow the depth of our connection with the One who actually does the transforming. As we engage in these disciplines, we create space to listen and simply be with God. [03:38]

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3 NIV)

Reflection: When you consider your current spiritual habits, are they feeling more like a checklist or a connection? What is one small way you can shift your focus toward simply being with God this week?

Day 3: Fasting as a Choice of Dependence

Fasting is a beautiful discipline where we tell our physical bodies that God comes first. It is an act of humbling ourselves and acknowledging that communion with God is more necessary for life than food itself. Throughout history, people of faith have used fasting to seek guidance, express grief, or prepare for sacred moments. By setting aside our physical desires, we realign our hearts with our true source of sustenance. This practice is not about the food we miss, but about the Presence we gain. [05:26]

Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28 NIV)

Reflection: If you were to set aside a specific physical comfort or distraction for a time, what spiritual hunger would you hope God fills in that space?

Day 4: Overcoming Temptation Through Closeness to the Father

In the wilderness, Jesus faced the same types of temptations that led to the fall in the garden, yet He remained faithful. While Adam and Eve had everything they needed and still chose their own way, Jesus was physically depleted and chose the Father’s way. He resisted the easy route of worldly power and physical satisfaction by relying on every word that comes from God. His victory shows us that empowerment doesn't come from the fast itself, but from the closeness to the Father that the fast facilitates. We are invited to follow this same thread of restoration and trust. [18:38]

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2 NIV)

Reflection: Jesus chose the "harder" path of the cross over the "easy" route offered by the enemy. Where in your life are you tempted to take an easy shortcut instead of trusting God’s timing or process?

Day 5: Examining Our Motives in the Secret Place

The value of a spiritual discipline lies in the "why" behind the action rather than the outward appearance. Jesus cautioned against performing acts of devotion to be seen by others, as that reward is fleeting and shallow. Instead, we are encouraged to seek the Father in secret, allowing Him to see the true state of our hearts. When we fast or pray, we should ask ourselves if we are seeking human approval or a deeper relationship with God. It is in the quiet, unseen moments that God does His most profound work of transformation. [20:45]

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:17-18 NIV)

Reflection: Think about your service or spiritual practices this past week; how much of your motivation was for the benefit of others' opinions versus a sincere desire to grow closer to your Heavenly Father?

Sermon Summary

Jesus upends common assumptions about spiritual struggle, insisting that what people instinctively reach for—more courage, more resources, bolder action—often misses the heart of the matter: surrender and single-minded dependence on God. The spiritual disciplines are reframed not as trophies of maturity but as conduits for God's transforming grace; prayer, Scripture, and fasting create space for intimacy with the Father so that transformation flows from him, not from the practice itself. Fasting is presented historically and theologically: ancient precedents, Moses’ forty days, and Jesus’ forty-day fast reveal fasting as an act that humbles the body to illuminate deeper spiritual realities—dependence, discernment, and resolve to follow God’s way rather than shortcuts. The wilderness temptation shows Jesus as the faithful Adam who resists the same lures—food, spectacle, power—by trusting God’s word, refusing to test God, and rejecting expedient authority in favor of sacrificial obedience.

Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount shifts the emphasis from public display to inner motive: fasting must be directed toward secret communion with God, not self-promotion. Early church practice confirms this posture—fasting accompanied prayer when the community sought guidance, sent missionaries, appointed leaders, or prepared for baptism—always as a means to hear and obey God. Practical attention is given to different kinds of fasts (absolute, partial, non-food) and to the real aim: replace what is removed with focused time in God. Finally, the invitation is corporate: a local rhythm of prayer and fasting seeks communal discernment, personal transformation, and renewed witness, trusting that transformed people form a transformed church which then impacts the surrounding community by Christ’s power, not human effort.

Key Takeaways

1. Surrender, not simply more courage When fear or fatigue prompts a push for greater bravery, the deeper call is to yield—to reorient trust from self to God. Surrender is not passive resignation but a disciplined reordering of loyalties that exposes where idols of control or self-reliance hide. In that yielded posture, courage is born from reliance on God rather than from self-generated grit. [00:19]
2. Spiritual disciplines are God’s conduits Prayer, Scripture, and fasting are not magics that produce sanctification; they are channels through which God’s grace and presence flow. Practicing them reshapes affections and attention so that transformation becomes the Father’s work rather than human performance. The discipline matters because it cultivates the soil in which the Spirit can grow fruit. [03:06]
3. Fasting reorders hunger toward God Abstaining from food or habit points longing away from created comforts to the Creator, clarifying what truly sustains life. Fasting surfaces dependencies and purges easy fixes, allowing prayer and Scripture to reorient desire toward God’s provision and wisdom. It is an embodied sermon that declares God first. [05:12]
4. Fasting exposes true motives The discipline reveals whether devotion is for show, for reward, or for genuine communion with God; motives determine spiritual fruit. Secret fasting, taught by Jesus, targets inward purity—what is hidden shapes public life. Honest fasting invites God to name and refine the heart. [19:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Jesus reverses expectations
[01:09] - Keep eyes fixed on God
[03:06] - Disciplines: conduits, not trophies
[05:12] - What is fasting?
[10:23] - Moses and forty days
[11:33] - Jesus in the wilderness
[19:53] - Teaching: motives for fasting
[23:22] - Early church fasting practices
[26:18] - Types of fasts and practice
[27:44] - Corporate fast invitation and prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Observation questions

In Matthew 6, what is the main difference between how the hypocrites fast and how Jesus instructs his followers to fast? What is the outcome for each group?
In Matthew 4, Jesus has been fasting for forty days and is hungry. What is the very first temptation the devil presents to him, and how does Jesus’ response show what truly sustains life?
The sermon compares Jesus’ temptation to Adam and Eve’s. Eve saw the fruit was “good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom.” [14:05] How do the three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness (turn stones to bread, throw himself from the temple, worship Satan for all the kingdoms) correspond to these three desires?

Interpretation questions

Spiritual disciplines are not a mark of maturity but are conduits that allow God to transform us. [03:06] How does this idea change the way you view practices like prayer, Bible reading, or fasting? What is the danger of treating these disciplines like a checklist for spiritual success rather than an opportunity to connect with God?
Jesus says that when we fast in secret, our Father will “reward” us. What do you think this reward is? Considering the sermon’s point that fasting helps us grow in the fruit of the Spirit, like patience, [22:08] how is this reward different from the reward the hypocrites were seeking?
Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted right after his baptism, a moment of great spiritual significance. Why do you think major temptations often follow moments of spiritual highs or come when we feel physically or emotionally weak? [11:53]

Application questions

Often when we face fear or a challenge, our first instinct is to try to find more courage or strength within ourselves. The deeper call, however, is to surrender. [00:19] Is there an area in your life right now where you are trying to "muscle through" on your own? What would it look like to stop striving and instead surrender that situation to God in trust?
Fasting is about telling our bodies that God comes first. [05:12] Beyond food, what are some habits or comforts in your daily life (like social media, entertainment, or even work) that might be competing with God for first place in your heart? What is one practical way you could "fast" from one of those things this week to create more space to focus on Him?
Jesus’ teaching on fasting is a powerful reminder to check our motives. [20:45] When you participate in spiritual activities, how can you honestly evaluate if you are doing them for an audience of people or for an audience of One? What helps you shift your focus from outward appearances to your inner relationship with the Father?
Sometimes, the discomfort of a spiritual discipline like fasting reveals things in our hearts we don't like, such as impatience or anger. [21:49] Have you ever had an experience where denying yourself something brought an unexpected character flaw to the surface? How can you see those moments not as failures, but as invitations from God to surrender that area to Him for transformation?
Practicing spiritual disciplines together is powerful because transformed people form a transformed church, which in turn impacts the community. [28:11] How can we as a group encourage one another in practices like prayer and fasting? What is one way we can support each other this week as we seek to draw closer to God?

Sermon Clips

42s

#disciplineAsConduit

“And it was through that fasting and prayer that Jesus connected to his father. It didn't bring the power. It was the avenue that delivered the empowerment. Later on, we see Jesus teaching on fasting in the sermon on the mount. And here he says, when you fast, do not look somber somber, sorry, as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil in your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your father who is unseen. And your father who sees what is done in secret will wart you. What does that mean?”

54s

#fastingConnectsToGod

“But now let's jump back to Jesus' temptation and look at some comparisons in this moment to show us how Jesus was the better Adam. In the next slide, it shows that Eve said that it was pleasing to the eye. We've got one more, please. The fruit of the tree was good for food, but Jesus' answer, in the wilderness, you see, you have this drastic comparison in the garden having everything you would ever need and more, anything you would ever want. And then Jesus in the wilderness, absolutely desolate, hungry, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Do you trust God? Will you trust him?”

44s

#dontTestGod

“Then next she says that it's pleasing to the eye. And Jesus answered, when the devil took him up to the top of the temple, do not put the Lord your God to the test. Do you love God? Because you see, in that moment, whether it was physically there in the temple or whether it was a dream or a vision, there's debate. It doesn't much matter. What the real test here was is will you do it differently than how God is said to do it? Because if he had thrown himself off the temple in that moment, if this was there, he's like, okay. I'm gonna throw myself off the temple, and the angels come and rescue him, and everybody sees. Well, it's undeniable. This must be the Messiah.”

42s

#serveOneMaster

“They fell into sin, and in this moment, Jesus is given this opportunity to take the easy route. The devil is saying, I'll give you all these kingdoms. I will give you that authority freely, but have you also it always comes with that little asterisk. But will you fall down and worship me? Will you follow God? Will you do things the way God has set them up? Will you trust him? Will you love him? Will you follow him? Will you serve him? Will you realize that he is the greater master? As Jesus taught, you can't serve two masters. You can only serve one.”

26s

#spiritualLeftHook

“Keeps us on our toes, because we think we've got it figured out. Has anyone ever been in that moment in your spiritual journey where you're like, I got this figured out, and then insert a left hook? And you're like, what? You think you have everything working, and then something just goes off the rails. You're like, what's going on?”

57s

#churchFastAndPray

“Later on, we see that the early church continued the spiritual discipline. In acts 13 verses one to three, we see them worshiping and fasting. And it says in verse three there, after they had fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them and sent them off. They were sending off these people to go out and to share the gospel with others. They weren't fasting for a reason other than getting close to God to hear from him, to grow in their relationship with him. Later on, we see in acts fourteen twenty three that Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed and appointed elders. They wanted to go closer to God. They wanted to hear from him. God, what are you saying? What are you speaking? I need to draw close to you.”

44s

#closenessNotMethods

“And it was through this fasting that in the midst of that, as Jesus drew close to God, that he was empowered to stand up against these temptations. And it wasn't the fasting, it was the closeness to his father. As you see all throughout Jesus' life, as he modeled for us the times that he would take time away to pray, or spend time alone, all these different spiritual disciplines, whereas which are, in fact, habits based on the lifestyle of Jesus. And then it says that the devil left him and the angels came and attended him.”

54s

#faithInLoss

“And I remember a number of years ago, there was a youth in our youth group at the church I was pastoring at the time that had been diagnosed with cancer, and the church rallied around. We had prayer nights. We had you name it, we were doing it because we wanted to see God heal them. There was fasting. There was prayer. And I remember just sitting on my kneeling on my knees and just, God, would you heal them? I did all the right things, yet he still passed away. It's like, God, what what's going on? I did all the right things. And it was in that moment I started to have to understand that, as I've said before, that the fast, the spiritual discipline, the power isn't in that. The power is in God.”

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