Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Fasting that Pleases God
Scripture: Matthew 6:17-18
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Reflection:
Fasting is a discipline of self-denial in which a believer humbly refrains from certain foods or daily habits and actions to draw closer to God by spending devoted time in His presence in prayer and the Word of God. Jesus taught (Matthew 6:17-18) that fasting that pleases God is to be done in private by believers. He charged His disciples to anoint themselves and wash their faces so that their countenance would not draw attention to their fasting in public. The disciplines of Fasting and Prayer are to be sacred unto God and done in secret between the Christian believer and God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the sacredness of fasting by charging them (and us) to fast with a desire to please the Father in the secret place (the intimate place in our heart and place set apart for God’s presence). And the Father who see what we do in secret will reward us openly with His blessings.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, teach me to fast and pray in sacredness and humility as the Lord Jesus taught and as He lived. Holy Spirit, I invite you to cleanse my heart and motives of any sinful desires and release your power to enable me to be transformed in this time of fasting and prayer. In Jesus’ Name — Amen.
