The Quiet Power of Fasting

“Even if I never see all the outcomes, I know fasting has helped me draw closer to Him, stay healthier spiritually, and live a happier life.”

Today is Fast Sunday. When we fast, we typically abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals or for about a 24-hour period — if we’re physically able. Personally, I usually have about a cup of water or so because of minor health problems if I don’t — and I know it still counts. God gave us the blessing of fasting to help us draw closer to Him, increase our spiritual awareness, and give us strength to overcome and resist temptation.

Fasting Invites Us to Fill Our Souls, Not Just Empty Our Plates

In the Church, we’re taught that fasting isn’t just about skipping food — if we’re only starving ourselves, we’re missing the whole point! Fasting works best when we replace eating with something uplifting. For me, that’s usually scripture study, watching an inspiring show or movie (I’ve been loving The Chosen lately — you can watch it for free on BYUtv!), or just taking quiet time to think about who or what I’m fasting for. These things don’t have to fill the entire day — you can still do your usual Sunday things like spending time with family or resting. One of my favorite Sunday things to do is write a blog post! It makes me dig deeper, research more, and really ponder my experiences with God and His Church. If you don’t already, maybe try writing in your journal — it’s honestly such a good way to stay focused and keep your mind off the food in the kitchen!

Fasting Helps Us Refocus on What Matters Most

I’ve struggled a lot with fasting — specifically the not eating part. I absolutely love food, and I love lazy Sunday eating. In my family, we don’t always have set meals on Sundays unless we’re with extended family. I often just snack throughout the day — sometimes I eat too much, and sometimes I’m oddly not that hungry, but that’s usually after I’ve already eaten something.

But I know there is so much power in fasting, especially when it’s done with the right focus. I definitely feel the Spirit more when I spend that time studying scriptures, remembering the Savior, and enjoying His blessings — instead of just doom-scrolling on my phone or watching things that don’t exactly invite the Spirit. But I’ll be honest — that’s not always easy! While I absolutely love the gospel and love learning about it (because there’s always something new to learn or revisit), sometimes the studying part can feel a little boring. When I fast, it’s usually for my family and friends — for health, guidance, or extra strength to face something hard. Sometimes it’s for answers to prayers, or even for help feeling closer to Him when life feels a little out of whack. I even fast for other things, like for our country’s safety, for the world to move in a better direction, or for our president to make wise choices.

Fasting Teaches Us to Remember Others

I remember when I was younger, our bishop invited our family to do a group fast for my mom. That poor lady has dealt with constant health problems for the past 25–30 years and just can’t seem to catch a break. At that time, she was going through an especially rough patch. I was maybe 12 years old. My sister, who’s about three and a half years older than me, inspired me so much. I was so hungry and really wanted to eat, but she seemed so motivated. She wanted to serve a mission and told me, “If I can’t fast for my own mother, how am I going to fast for the people on my mission?” That really stuck with me. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about a mission at the time, but it made me think more about my mom than my empty stomach.

Since then, I’ve still had my fair share of good and hard Fast Sundays. Remembering that story helps me a lot. I need to engrave it in my head: when I start to feel hungry, remember who I’m fasting for.

Fasting Strengthens Trust in God’s Timing

One thing I want to mention: I’ve never had some huge, dramatic miracle from fasting — like the person I’m fasting for being instantly healed or my prayer being immediately answered. Like many other things, fasting seems to work little by little. I’m sure it’s helped more than I realize — or more than I can remember in the moment. But what really keeps me committed is trusting God. I know that every commandment He gives is for a good reason. Even if I never see all the outcomes, I know fasting has helped me draw closer to Him, stay healthier spiritually, and live a happier life. And if you can’t fully fast because of health reasons — please don’t feel like you’re missing out. I really believe the Lord honors every effort, big or small. Even giving up something simple (like being on your phone) and replacing that time with prayer or scripture study invites Him in.

Fasting Frees and Renews Our Hearts

I want to share a couple of my favorite verses about fasting. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness…” Isaiah 58:6. I love this reminder that fasting really does help free us from things that hold us back. Another one I love is Isaiah 58:10–11: “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

The imagery in this scripture is so powerful to me. I picture myself giving my hungry, tired soul to God for those 24 hours — and in return, He gives it back stronger, nourished, and lighter. Fasting helps lift our burdens and brings us closer to our Savior, who sacrificed far more than just a few meals for us.

Even though it’s hard sometimes, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to fast. It’s a powerful tool He’s given us — we can use it as much or as little as we choose, but I’ve found that the more I practice it, the better my life becomes.

The next time you’re fasting, I hope you feel that extra closeness to Him. And if you struggle with fasting like I do sometimes — you’re not alone. He sees the effort, the sacrifice, and the intent. And that always counts.

Tell me in the comments below!

I’d love to know — what experiences do you have with fasting and what blessings have you noticed? And to help a sista out— what things help you focus more on the fast than on the hunger ;)