6: Emptiness | 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 6: Emptiness

He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
Luke 4:2

When I was growing up, my parents participated in a 40-day liquid-only fast. They were doing it in solidarity with our muslim neighbors as a way to connect, as well as a personal spiritual fast to help them focus on God’s heart.

But they didn’t realize one of the side effects: their sense of smell increased exponentially.

Preparing meals for my brother and I almost became torture, because everything smelled so incredible. In fact, they could even smell certain spices like garlic that others must have been eating, just by smelling it on their skin.

I wonder if Jesus had a similar experience during his fast? For forty days, He refrained from food and sought God's presence. He didn’t just experience hunger; He experienced emptiness, but this emptiness was not without purpose. It was preparation.

Fasting strips away distractions and comforts, creating space for God to do something new within us.
In your fast, you may feel moments of emptiness, whether physical hunger or an emotional longing. This feeling of emptiness can remind you that you’re being prepared for something more, something deeper.

Just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and came out stronger, your fasting time is preparing you to move forward into God’s calling for you.
It’s easy to focus on the discomfort of fasting, but what if you viewed those empty moments as opportunities for God to fill you with His presence? What new things does God want to do in your heart during this fast? Where might He be preparing you for a new season of ministry, service, or spiritual growth? 

Reflection Questions:

Prayer

God, as I experience emptiness in my fast, I ask that You fill me with Your purpose and strength. Let my hunger point me toward You, and prepare my heart for the work You have ahead. I trust that You are using this time to shape me into who You are calling me to be. Amen.