Fasting is one of the most ancient and powerful tools in both the physical and spiritual life. It clears the body. It strengthens the will. And it opens the heart to God in ways that comfort never could.
For the past few years, I have committed to fasting twice a week — Wednesdays and Fridays. I fast for 24 hours on each of those days. Water, coffee, and prayer carry me through. On Wednesdays, I offer it up for my family. On Fridays, I offer it in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Fasting has taught me to detach from comfort. To lean into sacrifice. To remember that my body is not in charge — my soul is.
The Physical Benefits of Fasting
The science is catching up to what the saints already knew. Fasting is good for your health.
- It gives the digestive system a break and promotes cellular repair
- It increases human growth hormone and supports fat loss while preserving muscle
- It helps regulate blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and mental clarity
- It boosts discipline and self-control in every area of life
After 16 to 24 hours, the body begins to enter a state of autophagy — cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. It is like hitting the reset button on your health. But even more than that, it resets the soul.
The Spiritual Power of Fasting
Fasting is not just about skipping meals. It is about creating space. Silence. Hunger that leads to humility.
Jesus fasted. The early Church fasted. The saints fasted. Scripture tells us that some demons “can only be driven out by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). It is that serious. Fasting purifies the heart, strengthens prayer, and sharpens our awareness of God’s presence.
When I fast, I pray more deeply. I think more clearly. I love more freely. I feel my poverty and my dependence on God — and that is exactly where I need to be.
On Wednesdays, I fast for my wife and children. That they would be protected, strengthened, and drawn close to God. On Fridays, I join the Church in remembering the Passion. I unite my hunger to the suffering of Christ and offer reparation for the offenses against His Sacred Heart and His Mother’s Immaculate Heart.
This is not about being extreme. It is about being faithful. A man who can control his appetite can control his actions. A man who fasts becomes a man who prays with power.
Want to Try Fasting? Start Here:
- Begin with one day a week — maybe lunch to lunch
- Drink plenty of water and stay mentally focused on your “why”
- Offer your hunger as a prayer — for your family, for healing, for purity
- Use the time you would normally eat for prayer, reading Scripture, or quiet reflection
- End your fast with gratitude and a simple, healthy meal
