Why We Fast in 2026

Every January, the question comes back around: “Why are we fasting?”And if we’re honest, a lot of us already have our answers loaded.

• “Because I need God to move in my finances.”

• “Because my family needs a breakthrough.”

• “Because I need direction.”

• “Because my year has to start different.”

None of those are bad desires. But in Matthew 9, Jesus gives a clearer, deeper reason—one that cuts straight through religious noise and spiritual hype.

The Question: “Why Aren’t You Fasting?”

Matthew 9:14 opens with a confrontation:

“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’”

You’ve got John the Baptist’s crew—serious, intense, wilderness-type disciples—standing next to the Pharisees, the religious professionals. They fast often. It’s part of their spiritual identity.

And then they look at Jesus and His disciples and basically say:“What’s wrong with y’all? Why aren’t you doing what the serious people do?”

Jesus’ Answer: “Because I’m Here”

Jesus responds with a wedding illustration:

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)

This is huge. Jesus doesn’t say fasting is outdated.He doesn’t say fasting is wrong.He doesn’t say fasting is for prophets and Pharisees only. He says: fasting is connected to nearness.

While the Bridegroom is present—while they can see Him, hear Him, walk with Him—there’s no mourning. No longing. No hunger for closeness, because closeness is right there in front of them.

But then Jesus says a day is coming when the Bridegroom will be “taken away.”

He’s pointing to the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension—when the disciples won’t experience His physical presence the same way anymore.

And then—then—they will fast.

So Why Fast in 2026?

Here it is in plain language:

We fast because we want to draw close to the Father.Not to earn His love.Not to force His hand.Not to prove we’re serious.Not to manipulate heaven.

We fast because the Bridegroom is worth missing.And that holy hunger pulls us nearer.

Fasting is a relational practice before it’s ever a religious discipline.

The Warning: Don’t Turn Fasting Into Manipulation

Let’s address something that quietly poisons fasting: the belief that sacrifice forces results.

When we treat fasting like a lever—“If I give up enough, God has to do what I’m asking”—we’ve stepped out of faith and into control.

That’s not devotion. That’s bargaining.

And it’s why some people finish a fast frustrated instead of fruitful:because extreme sacrifice without obedience produces frustration, not fruit.

The breakthrough isn’t in how intense your fast is.The breakthrough is in how obedient your heart becomes.

Ask God What He Wants You to Fast

This is where it gets simple—and where it gets real:

Ask the Lord what He wants you to fast.

Not what’s trendy.Not what’s impressive.Not what feels manageable.Not what makes you look spiritual.

Because fasting is not about impressing people.It’s about positioning your life to hear Him clearly.

Fasting Isn’t Optional for Disciples

Jesus doesn’t say “if you fast.” He says:

“When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16)

That means fasting is assumed in the life of a disciple. It’s not reserved for pastors, prophets, or “super spiritual” people.

Fasting is for followers of Jesus who want closeness—not just information, not just inspiration, but intimacy with God.

New Wine Requires New Wineskins

Right after Jesus talks about fasting, He says something that explains why this matters:

“Neither is new wine put into old wineskins…” (Matthew 9:17)

In other words: God wants to pour something fresh.But if we try to hold it with old habits, old mindsets, old patterns—something’s going to break.

Fasting is one of the ways God reshapes the wineskin.

It’s not punishment.It’s preparation.

The Goal: Nearness That Produces Fruit

Here’s the promise of Matthew 6:33 in action:

Seek Him first—and everything else finds its place.

When you get close to God:

• your yes gets quicker

• your conviction gets sharper

• your hunger gets deeper

• your obedience gets stronger

• your life becomes more responsive to His voice

That’s why we fast.

Not to get God to come near—He’s already near.But to get us near enough to notice.

A Simple Prayer for the Start of the Fast

Holy Spirit, speak. Your servant is listening.Draw me close to the Father.Not for status. Not for show. Not for a spiritual scoreboard.But because I want the Bridegroom more than I want the benefits.Make my life an offering.In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you’re stepping into 21 days of prayer and fasting, remember this:

Fasting without prayer is just a crummy diet.But fasting with prayer becomes a doorway into deeper fellowship with God.

So in 2026, we fast for one reason:

to draw close to the Father.