The Christian life is not built on a few big spiritual moments. Instead, it is formed through countless quiet ones—often unseen and uncelebrated. Daily prayer and occasional fasting are two of those quiet rhythms. These practices are not meant for “super Christians.” Rather, they are normal patterns of a healthy spiritual life that Jesus assumed His followers would embrace. In Matthew 6, He does not say if you pray or if you fast—He says “when.” That one word reminds us that prayer and fasting are not optional extras; they are core habits for every believer who wants deeper intimacy with God.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:6“When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting,
but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:17–18
Daily Prayer and Occasional Fasting: Normal Rhythms of a Healthy Soul
First, notice where Jesus directs our focus: the secret place.
“Go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father…” — Matthew 6:6
“…that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen…” — Matthew 6:17
In both prayer and fasting, Jesus emphasizes the same thing: these disciplines are not about being seen by others. Instead, they are about drawing near to our unseen Father, who meets us in private and rewards us from His presence.
So, daily prayer and occasional fasting are not about earning something from God. Rather, they are about making space for Him—consistently, quietly, and sincerely.
Daily Prayer: Relational, Not Performative
Jesus’ instruction on prayer is simple, yet deeply freeing:
“Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…”
This shows that real prayer is relational, not performative. It is not about:
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impressing God with vocabulary,
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impressing others with spirituality,
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or impressing ourselves with endurance.
Instead, prayer is about connection—honest conversation with a Father who loves us.
As a result, daily prayer creates sacred space in our schedule to:
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listen to God,
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speak honestly with Him,
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and realign our hearts with His will.
In the same way that breathing sustains our physical lives, daily prayer sustains our spiritual vitality. Without it, our inner life slowly weakens; with it, our soul is steadied and strengthened over time.
Reflection Question:
How can you set aside a specific, consistent time each day to “close the door” and be alone with your Father in prayer?
Occasional Fasting: Devotion, Not Deprivation
In the very same chapter, Jesus also says:
“When you fast…” — not if.
Here again, fasting is assumed. Unfortunately, many believers see fasting as extreme or unnecessary. However, biblically, fasting is not a punishment for the body; it is a priority of the Spirit.
At its core, fasting is:
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a deliberate “no” to the flesh,
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so we can offer a deeper “yes” to God.
Often this means giving up food for a set time, but it may also involve laying aside something else that regularly fills your attention. Either way, the heart behind it is devotion, not deprivation.
Furthermore, Jesus instructs us to fast discreetly. We are not called to advertise our sacrifice; we are called to posture ourselves in humility. As we fast:
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distractions are quieted,
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our dependence on comfort is challenged,
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and our dependence on God is deepened.
In a world addicted to constant consumption, occasional fasting helps re-teach our hearts that God Himself is our truest satisfaction.
The Secret Place: Where Discipline Becomes Delight
Both daily prayer and occasional fasting require discipline at first. They may feel awkward, inconvenient, or even costly. However, as we continue, something beautiful happens:
discipline begins to give birth to delight.
In the secret place of prayer:
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our hearts are softened and renewed,
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our worries are re-centered in His presence,
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and our desires are slowly reshaped to match His.
Similarly, in the hidden sacrifice of fasting:
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our spiritual hunger sharpens,
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our ears become more attentive to His voice,
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and our faith grows as we lean more fully on Him.
Taken together, these practices ground us, refine us, and quietly anchor us in the reality that true reward comes not from human applause, but from fellowship with the Father.
Normalizing What Jesus Called Normal
Because of this, as believers we need to normalize what Jesus called normal: a life marked by daily prayer and occasional fasting.
Just as we nourish our bodies regularly, we must nourish our souls intentionally. In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, these sacred rhythms help quiet us enough to:
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hear God’s voice,
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sense His leading,
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and align our hearts with His purposes.
This is not about spiritual performance; rather, it is about spiritual health. Prayer and fasting are not spiritual trophies to show off—they are spiritual lifelines to hold onto.
Make Room for Him Daily
So what does this look like in practice?
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Make room for Him daily. Start with a simple, consistent time of prayer, even if it’s just a few focused minutes.
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Seek Him in secret. Let your prayer life be more about His presence than anyone’s perception.
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Fast when He prompts you. Begin with something manageable—a meal, a day, or a specific comfort—and offer it to Him.
As you respond in these ways, trust that the God who sees what is done in private will reward you openly—with His presence, His peace, and His power.
“Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:6, 18