Fasting for Financial Breakthrough

Inflation is on everyone’s mind. There is pain at the gas pump, pain in the grocery aisles, pain in the car markets, pain if you go to eat out… I get it! Like you, financial stress is at the top of mind for a majority of Americans.

The Impact of Economic Stress

The American Psychological Association partnered with The Harris Poll to conduct a survey between February 7–14, 2022, along with a late-breaking poll fielded March 1–3, 2022. The later findings were “alarming,” with more adults rating inflation and issues related to the invasion of Ukraine as stressors than any other issue asked about since the Stress in America survey began in 2007. According to the survey findings, the following are the primary stressors reported:

  • Prices of everyday items due to inflation: 87%
  • Supply chain issues: 81%
  • Global uncertainty: 81%

While there are many practical steps you can take, like reducing your expenses by the overall inflation rate and seeking to adjust your investments to keep up with the impact of inflation, I want you to consider fasting.

The Biblical and Spiritual Purpose of Fasting

Fasting is a way to stop looking at things of this world in order to focus more fully on the Lord. The Bible addresses fasting for repentance, sorrow, deliverance, guidance, and help. It is to be done with genuine humility in order to draw closer to God. The practice is well-established in Scripture; for instance, Anna, the prophetess mentioned in Luke 2, served God day and night with fasting and prayers. John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast, and Jesus said in Mark 2 that His disciples would fast after his death.

Nate Shurden, pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian of Franklin, TN, writes: “When we fast, we say, ‘No’ to something we enjoy. Whenever we do that, we pick a fight with our flesh. For whenever we abstain from something, we expose how strong our desire is for certain earthly things. By denying ourselves in this way, we clean out the soul, making room for God.”

Prayer and Sustenance

This is why prayer goes hand-in-hand with fasting. For when you desire whatever-it-is you’re fasting from, instead of turning to that thing, you turn to God in prayer. In feeling the pain of emptiness, you take time to be filled up with God—to taste and see that He alone is your true sustenance.

Practical Suggestions on How to Begin Fasting

To help those who are seriously worried about finances and struggling to keep up, even with two incomes, here are specific suggestions on how to begin:

  • Preparation: Prepare ahead without drawing attention to yourself. Wean from sugars and caffeine before the fast begins if you are going to eliminate normal eating habits.
  • Scheduling: Pick a good time to start and stop. How will your fasting affect the rest of the family? Your job? Social commitments?
  • Spiritual Discipline: Claim Scripture, and keep a journal. Study the Word, and pray for wisdom, guidance, revelation, and the breaking of sin.
  • Setting Goals: To avoid defeat, do not be too ambitious. Try giving up a meal per day or per week. Build from there. Seek professional advice before a prolonged time of fasting.
  • Accountability: Involve your spouse, family, or small group for accountability and encouragement.

Some fasting ideas include fasting from food, sugar, coffee, or sodas; liquids only; limited calories; or from TV, social media, shopping, etc. Seek the Lord’s intervention during your time of fasting.

Financial Fasting

This method of fasting is designed to break detrimental spending habits, eliminate debt, and/or jumpstart a path toward certain goals. It is a way to seek God’s intervention when you are desperate for hope and need a spiritual breakthrough in your money and finances.