Fasting Insights and Breakthroughs

I’d love to share with you fasting insights and breakthroughs that I’ve experienced over the past 30+ years. There are so many, so I’ll focus on the highlights.

The first time I spiritually fasted was in my thirties. It was a two-week fast. I intended to go completely without eating (water only), but did not endure beyond the first 24 hours. My body was not adapted, so a full-on fast was too overwhelming. So, I had a snack in the middle of each day that consisted of a handful of pretzels and an apple.

Because I broke down and had a daily snack, I thought that I had failed. To my surprise, a huge breakthrough came only two weeks later. This taught me that God honors every effort to fast.

Over the years, I’ve gained many fasting insights and breakthroughs that directly resulted. On two separate occasions, I saw family members delivered from drug and alcohol addictions. I’ve also personally experienced financial breakthroughs as well as physical healing within days or weeks of fasting.

Miracle Breakthrough Experience

One year, I was in a very desperate situation. Long story short, I needed a miracle. A large church in a neighboring city advertised a “Miracle Service.” Thousands of their congregants had committed to 21 days of fasting and prayer to prepare for the service. When I saw the advertisement, I knew that I had to go.

What was going on in my life at that time included near-bankruptcy, a failing marriage, a loved one in addiction, and pending legal matters.

Within five months after receiving prayer at the Miracle Service, a tremendous breakthrough came in every area of my life. My marriage was restored. My loved one was delivered from addiction. God blessed our business with huge contracts that year. We became debt-free within a matter of months. The legal issues were resolved. The ripple effects of this miracle breakthrough are still reverberating in my life even now, more than 20 years later!

To be clear, the church hosting the Miracle Service was not the source of my breakthrough. God was. The people were obedient to fast and pray on behalf of others. For that, I am truly grateful. However, when I went to receive prayer, I did so with a surrendered heart and relied solely on God for help. When it comes to fasting, prayer, and breakthrough, our faith must be squarely placed on God and God alone.

First Fruits Fasting

The Bible talks about a “first fruits” offering in Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

A first fruits offering is when we give God an offering of our first and best. This can be at the start of a new year or a new season. That’s why, for me, January is a great time to fast.

Types of Fasts

Many types of fasts are easily researched online. There are meatless fasts, water-only fasts, one meal a day fasts, juice fasts, and more. One that is very well-known is the Daniel Fast. All of these are acceptable to God for spiritual purposes, and there are alternative fasts you can consider if you have a particular health condition. One such example is the 5:2 Fast for diabetics. (Always consult with your physician before fasting if you have a known medical condition.)

God’s Chosen Fast

There are many purposes for fasting. Some people live a fasted lifestyle — meaning they fast daily or weekly for health or weight loss purposes. However, when we fast for spiritual reasons, we need to consider God’s heart on the subject. This Bible verse will give us a clue:

Isaiah 58:6-9 NIV –– Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Prayer and Fasting

I’ve heard many people say that “fasting is praying.” However, based on the fasting insights and breakthroughs I’ve encountered, I respectfully disagree. I believe fasting is a form of worship, but it does not replace prayer — especially when we are fasting. Prayer and fasting are a powerful combination. It does not matter what type of prayers are prayed. However, if you are praying for a breakthrough in a particular area, do some research. Look for Bible verses, resources, and suggested prayers that relate to your need. If you truly don’t know where to start, pray according to any Bible verses that the Holy Spirit highlights to you. I highly recommend Prayers That Avail Much to help you learn how to pray according to Scripture:

Testify!

I would love to hear your fasting insights and breakthrough experiences from any time in your life when you have spiritually fasted. Leave your testimony in the comment thread or send an email to hello@susanhoneywilliams.com. Let’s encourage each other!

~ Susan “Honey” Williams

P.S. You might enjoy my free printable Write the Vision 2026 Planner as part of your New Year’s fast. Use it to partner with the Holy Spirit as you establish goals and plans for the year ahead. You will receive a free access link in your Welcome Email when you SUBSCRIBE.