Rhythms of Jesus – Week 5: The Discipline of Fasting

Day 34: The Connection Between Prayer and Fasting

Fasting without prayer is just an empty ritual. In Scripture, fasting is always paired with prayer as a way to seek God’s guidance, intervention, and presence. When Ezra led the Israelites back to Jerusalem, they faced dangers along the way. Instead of relying on human strength, they fasted and prayed, placing their full trust in God—and He answered.

When we fast, we are invited to deepen our prayer life. It is a time of surrender, of seeking God with an undistracted heart. Fasting reminds us that we are not self-sufficient; we need God in every area of our lives.

If fasting from food is not the best choice for you, think about how you can fast from distractions that make prayer difficult. Could you set aside time each day to pray without interruptions? Could you remove something from your routine that keeps you from focusing on God?

Key Verse: 
So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. ~ Ezra 8:23

Reflection and Expression:

• Listen for His voice. Allow space for quiet reflection in your time of fasting.
• Trust in His faithfulness. Just as God answered Ezra’s prayer, He hears yours.