1: Personal, not Performance | 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 1: Personal, not Performance

“And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18 NRSV

I’ve been following Jesus (on purpose) for over 20 years. And in all that time, I never really was taught to practice fasting as a spiritual habit.

But Jesus doesn’t say “IF you fast…” He says “WHEN you fast…” So it seems that he assumes that his followers will be practicing this spiritual habit as part of the way that we allow God to work in us to transform us to become more and more like Jesus.

But if fasting if new for you, like it was for me until just a few years ago, here’s something to keep in mind: fasting is meant to be deeply personal. By that, I mean that it’s not a performance for others, but a quiet act of devotion between you and God.

Jesus teaches us that fasting is meant to be done in “secret,” not for attention or praise. It’s about cultivating a space of vulnerability with God, where he can meet us in our need and humility and teach us more of Himself.

And now here’s the danger of doing an all-church fast: there’s nothing secret about it! So how do we ensure to keep the practice focused on God, and not on how “spiritual” we look while engaging in it?

Well, Jesus says that when people do things for outward attention, they get it. And that’s their reward. In other words, that’s ALL they get.

But when we engage in spiritual habits like fasting and focus on drawing closer to God, and allowing him to teach us and guide us, then we get THAT. And that’s much more valuable than any acknowledgment or accolades we might receive from the attention of others.

So as we begin this period of fasting, we step into a posture of surrender, where the outward act of denying ourselves reflects the inward work God is doing. It’s a time for self-reflection, spiritual renewal, and deepening our relationship with God.

Let’s remember that the goal isn’t to check off a box, but to create space for God to work in and through us. 

Reflection Questions:

Prayer

Lord, help me to fast with humility and focus. I want this time to draw me closer to You, to hear Your voice more clearly, and to experience the transformation You are doing in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.