Do you want to grow closer to God through fasting? Not everyone can tolerate a 40-day fast due to health concerns. An alternative spiritual discipline is a financial fast. This is not just a physical fast where you give up sugar or coffee- instead, you’ll learn spiritual fasting. You’ll be fasting from online shopping, unnecessary spending, and anything else the Holy Spirit leads you to abstain from.

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Are you ready for a 40-day journey you’ll never forget? You can start this financial fast anytime by marking today on the calendar and setting your end date 40 days from now.

Fasting is spiritually rewarding. But let’s understand this is not a Lenten activity practiced only by Catholics. The Catholic tradition includes food fasting, penance, and self-examination of sins. It typically focuses on sacraments mandated by the church.

Begin your fasting with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to be a good steward of money. Pray that He shows you what necessities are and what are luxuries. Pray that He teaches you to fill the empty spaces in your heart with God’s love and the Presence of Jesus, rather than with excess spending or eating. And pray He will take your mind off money and that it will not become an idol in your life.

God may be calling you to deny yourself something for the next 40 days. Pray into this and ask Him to reveal things on your shopping list that are unnecessary. Ask Him to examine your calendar of events. Sit with your bank statements and ask Him to line-item those things that are necessary and those that are not. Most importantly ask Him “Am I being a good steward of my money?” Wait for an answer.

Create a simple list of what you will allow and what you will deny yourself for the next 40 days. What YOU give up and what makes YOU uncomfortable is going to be different than someone else. For example, I do not smoke or drink,  so if I gave up the cost buying cigarettes or alcohol for 40 days, it would have zero impact on my life and I would not grow spiritually. I do have an addiction to books and it will make me uncomfortable to miss a daily book deal or shop on Amazon. This is just one example of where I feel the Holy Spirit telling me to cut unnecessary spending.

Fasting without prayer is nothing more than a diet. If you choose to abstain from foods for the purpose of losing weight then the focus is on self and not God. Likewise, if you choose a financial fast to “save a little money” then you’ll be disappointed in the end results. When the Holy Spirit leads you to fast, He’s leading you into deeper intimacy with God.

We become better money managers as we fast and pray. Fasting alone is not going to strengthen your finances or resolve your money issues. Through the act of prayer, as you communicate with God, you’ll learn what His will is for your money. Perhaps you already know the answer in your heart, and now you need a solution from God. The time to ask is not when you get a foreclosure letter in the mail, a stack of unpaid medical bills, or a lose your job on a Friday afternoon.  Ask. Seek. Pray.

By now you’ve realized that through fasting, we learn self-control. Dr. Elmer Towns says, “…it’s really not about money; rather, it’s a discipline problem.”

Whether fasting from food or spending, create a regular habit and seek insight from God regarding self-discipline. Ask God how you arrived at your place of need, and then ask Him for a solution to your problems. Keep a journal of your prayers, and look back at your spiritual growth.

Financial Fasting and Discipline

As we learn financial discipline, it spills over into other areas of our spiritual lives. We learn to discipline our mouths from speaking gossip, negativity, curse words and insults. We learn to discipline our time and prioritize those things that have eternal value. We learn to discipline our health, by eating better, getting outdoors and exercise. We learn to follow Christ and walk inside God’s will.

We move through seasons of life, and this includes financial seasons as well. You’ll have seasons of drought; seasons of sowing seeds; seasons of harvesting fruit. No matter the season, be faithful to God and to His Word.

Financial Fasting Bible Verses

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Cor. 9:7 (NLT)

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John  15:7 ESV

Never stop praying. 1 Thess. 5:17 NLT

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! Matthew 25:21 (NLT)

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 (NASB)

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help… Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. James 1:5 (Message)

If we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:15 (HCSB)

Steps For Spiritual Growth

1. Fast and pray according to Biblical principles.
2. Don’t draw attention to your misery like the Pharisees. Fast for God and not for your self-interests. Listen to the Holy Spirit.
3. Recommended Book: “Fasting For Financial Breakthrough” by Dr. Elmer Towns,

Originally published March 30, 2015