Fasting to Hear God: Remove Distractions, Draw Closer to Jesus

Have you ever wanted to grow closer to God but weren't really sure where to start? Maybe you've heard people talk about fasting, but it felt a little intimidating. Or perhaps you assumed it was about proving your devotion, getting God to answer a prayer, or simply giving something up. What if fasting is actually about something much deeper?

Recently, we embarked on a seven-day fast alongside six other beautiful women from our Spirit-Filled Sisterhood community. Honestly, God surprised both of us! We thought we were praying for breakthrough in our marriages, but instead, God began revealing our own hearts. Today, we're sharing what fasting really is, why Jesus modeled it, what God gently uncovered in us, and why we believe fasting isn't about getting God's attention — it's about removing distractions so we can give Him ours.

What Fasting Really Is

For so long, the idea of fasting felt rigid, almost like a religious obligation. But in preparing for our group fast, our senior pastor at Mercy Culture, Pastor Landon, reframed it for us beautifully. He taught that fasting is intentionally denying our flesh so that we hunger for God, hear His voice, and draw closer to Him.

This reframing was so liberating! It’s not about hunger for hunger's sake, or even about food at all. It's about whatever has your attention. As wives, business owners, and just busy women, our flesh can be so loud. The never-ending to-do lists, constant notifications, and mental load we carry—it's all vying for our focus. Fasting felt like turning down all those other volume knobs so we could finally hear what God was trying to tell us.

It’s a misconception that God's voice gets louder when we fast. Instead, the distractions get quieter. We remove the noise of the world so we can tune into that still, small voice we so often miss in our busy lives. Fasting is a heart posture, not a rigid rule. It's an opportunity to create space for intentional time with Jesus.

Jesus Modeled Intimacy Before Ministry

One of the most profound insights we gained about fasting is that Jesus Himself fasted. Pastor Landon highlighted that Jesus fasted before beginning His public ministry, emphasizing a powerful truth: "Before public ministry, there was private intimacy." This struck us deeply.

Think about it: Jesus, the Son of God, retreated for a season of focused time with the Father before His most significant work began. This isn't just for those in "ministry"; it's for any significant season in our lives. Before a big decision, a new venture, or a challenging time, we need that quiet, undistracted time with the Lord. It’s in that secret place, with no one else around, that we can sit with Him, seeking discernment, soaking in His Word, and attuning ourselves to His Spirit.

It's not about waiting for an audible voice, but for that inner knowing, that deep intuition that guides us. We need this intimacy to glorify Him, to be filled enough to pour into others, and for His unwavering guidance. Fasting helps us walk in obedience by staying deeply connected to the Vine.

What God Uncovered in Us

When we started the fast, we approached it with a focus on our marriages, eager to see breakthroughs. But God, in His gentle wisdom, had other plans. What He revealed to us individually was far more profound than any "answer" we thought we were seeking.

Satin's Revelation: Receiving God's Love

I went into the fast hoping for direction in my marriage, but Holy Spirit gently nudged me to simply be with Him. Instead of answers, He gave me awareness. It’s easy to pray for others, even our spouses, but the Lord highlighted myself. He showed me areas where I'd been holding onto fear and narratives that weren't true, impacting my marriage negatively. It wasn't about judgment, but about deep, loving revelation. He was peeling back another layer of the onion, going deeper into work He'd already begun in my heart.

One particularly poignant revelation was how I viewed my husband. We all bring baggage into relationships, but God showed me that my husband was able to see me through the lens of who God created me to be – he saw the best in me. I, however, had been looking at him through the wounds and offenses of my past. God said, "Satin, just look at the husband I have given you. Stop looking past him into your past and into the brokenness. He chose to see the best in you, and that’s what I do with you." This fast was pivotal, teaching me to truly receive God's love, which in turn allowed me to more freely accept and give love to my husband.

Sarah's Revelation: A Critical Spirit

I didn't know what to expect from my first fast, but God moved in a way I wasn't anticipating. I sensed the Lord saying, "Let's talk about how you talk to your husband." I know, ouch! But words are powerful, and I realized I had developed a critical spirit. Criticism had become my armor. Whenever I felt unseen, dismissed, or vulnerable due to past wounds (not necessarily from my husband, but overall), I would pick him apart—his leadership, his tone, his timing, everything. I called it "just being honest."

But the Lord met me in that place. Through the fast, He helped me see my husband through His eyes and recognize that my criticism wasn't helping. Like Satin, God started with me, revealing the roots of my go-to behaviors and how I was contributing to the dynamics in our marriage. The common denominator in my frustrations was me, and this realization was truly eye-opening.

Practical Tips for Your First Fast

If you're feeling prompted to try fasting, here are a few practical tips:

• Start Small: You don't have to jump into a seven-day water fast! Maybe skip breakfast for three days, or give up sugar, social media, or TV for a week. The timeframe and what you fast from are less important than the intention.
• Focus on Presence, Not Punishment: Remember, fasting isn't about legalism or earning something from God. It's about presence with Him. We deny our flesh to be more fully present with the Lord.
• Replace with Time with God: This is key! If you skip a meal, use that time to read your Bible, pray, journal, or worship. If you fast from social media, use those extra minutes for spiritual disciplines. As Pastor Landon says, "If you're fasting and you're not praying, it's just a diet." We give something up to gain more time and intimacy with Jesus.
• Be Flexible and Listen to Your Body: Our bodies respond differently. If your chosen fast isn't working or causing harm, it's okay to adjust. This isn't about beating yourself up; it's about connecting with God.

God isn't asking us to fast because He needs something from us. He's inviting us into deeper intimacy. What we learned from our fast is that the closer we get to Him, the kinder we become—not just to our husbands, but to ourselves and everyone around us. It truly is all connected.

"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:17-18

Reflection Questions

1. What distractions are loudest in your life, pulling your attention away from God?
2. What does "private intimacy before public ministry" mean to you in your current season?
3. What is one area of your heart you sense God might want to reveal to you through a time of focused intimacy?
4. What is one small step you could take this week to practice intentional fasting (even just from a distraction) and create more space for Jesus?
5. How might receiving God's unconditional love impact your relationships with others, especially those closest to you?