There are a number of powerful benefits of prayer and fasting, two traditions found in many religious and spiritual practices, which is why they have been used for generations across the globe. These two rituals are also becoming increasingly popular thanks to social media and awareness raising campaigns which have shed light on both the different types of fasts and the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer combined. Numerous adults who are on a journey to improve their quality of life and who may not have been raised in an environment where prayer and fasting where used, are now incorporating these into their lifestyles for different reasons and reaping the benefits. If you are currently thinking about introducing the practice of fasting and prayer prayer and fasting into your life for the first time then this guide will help you identify if it’s the right thing for you as well as highlighting 19 potential benefits.
What is fasting?
Fasting is where an individual abstains from some or all food, drink, or both (an absolute fast), by choice, for a specific period of time. Different religions and cultures will fast for different periods of time using different types of fasts but the principles are the same. If you don’t currently belong to a particular spiritual or religious group and don’t have experience of fasting then the best thing to do is to start off slowly and build it up over time, setting yourself hard but achievable fasting limits. If you do belong to a spiritual or religious group then be sure to check what their recommendations are for starting their particular spiritual discipline of fasting for the first time as they may also recommend you build it up over time.
What is prayer?
Prayer is a spiritual practice that involves communicating with a higher power, spiritual power, or god. It is commonly across both religious and spiritual groups and serves various purposes, such as expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, asking for help, confessing sins, and worshiping.
Why combine prayer and fasting?
Prayer and fasting are often combined for numerous reasons, the mains one being that together prayer and fasting are believed to offer an enhanced spiritual experience that can lead to spiritual growth or for some a spiritual breakthrough. Prayer and fasting are also used to demonstrate the ability to restrain oneself, show commitment and be self disciplined. Prayer and fasting are also combined on numerous occasions as they offer many benefits to the individual.
Here is your guide to 19 powerful benefits of prayer and fasting
The Spiritual Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
Fasting can be done on it’s own and often is due to it’s physical benefits but when it is combined with prayer the spiritual benefits of fasting are much more powerful.
Enhanced Spiritual Connection: Prayer and fasting can help you feel closer to your higher power or divine presence which enhances your spiritual journey and connection. You may be able to hear your god’s voice louder and clearer and through this deeper connection and understanding will feel able to make choices about your actions with clarity.
Increased Faith: Regular prayer can deepen your faith and trust in your religious beliefs and practices, and when struggling on fast days turning to prayer can help guide you through the hardest hours. When successfully completed the knowledge that prayer, your higher power and your powerful spiritual discipline, got you through it will further increase your faith and propel you forward on your spiritual journey.
Sense of Purpose: Engaging in prayer and fasting can provide a greater sense of purpose and help you understand the deeper meanings of your life.
Repentance and Renewal: Depending on your beliefs you can use fasting as a way to cleanse yourself of past mistakes, seek forgiveness, renew your commitment to spiritual goals and further your spiritual growth.
Heightened Awareness: Both practices can increase mindfulness and awareness of your thoughts, actions, and surroundings, providing time for reflection and future planning.
The Mental Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
When you first start fasting it can be difficult, especially on the first day or two, you can become preoccupied with feelings of hunger, cravings and experience a lack of energy. However, with practice and perseverance you will start to feel stronger, proud of your achievements and ability to follow through on your commitment to you higher power and eventually experience the mental benefits for yourself.
Stress Reduction: Prayer and meditation are great techniques for managing and reducing your stress. They can help to slow your breathing and your thinking, clear your mind and create a sense of calm and inner peace whilst also relieving you of your heavy burdens.
Improved Concentration and Focus: Once you get used to the fasting you will find that you can use the discipline you have learnt on other tasks, helping you to be more focused and concentrate better.
Emotional Stability: As prayer can be a great way to reduce stress, knowing that you have this built into your routine will allow you to deal with everyday issues better and with more emotional stability as you are already calm from your previous prayer session. It prevents the build up of stress and burn out and promotes better emotional reactions.
Sense of Community: Participating in communal prayers and fasts can create a sense of belonging to a group. It will also give you a ready made support network and somewhere you share your experiences, both the difficult times and the triumphs. Having this support network will improve your mental health, reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness and promote positivity.
Self-Control and Discipline: Both prayer and fasting require self-control and discipline. Whether it is praying at regular times, in certain places or in a particular manner or abstaining for food and drink for long periods of time. This self control and discipline can be hard but will leave you feeling good once achieved and they are both skills that can then be successful transferred to other areas of your life.
The Physical Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
The physical benefits do come mainly from the fasting but the prayer can be an important part of the process too, especially if you are finding fast days particularly hard as it can reiterate the spiritual discipline of fasting and why you are doing it in the first place.
Detox: Fasting can help detoxify the body by allowing the digestive system to rest and cleanse itself. This can leave you feeling more energised and healthy overall.
Weight Management: You may experience some weight loss as well as improved metabolic health due to the reduction of calories and entering a calorie deficit on a regular basis.
Improved Digestion: Periodic fasting can give the digestive system a break
Reduced Inflammation: Some people have reported reduced inflammation
Enhanced Immune Function: Fasting can boost the immune system by promoting autophagy, improving your long term health.
Additional Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
As well as the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer there are also some additional benefits that can be experienced and applied to other aspects of life, these include
Holistic Well-being: The combined spiritual, mental, and physical benefits contribute to overall holistic well-being, the feeling of being in a better place, living a healthy life and above all else feeling satisfied and happy with life.
Clarity and Insight: Fasting and prayer can lead to greater clarity and insight, helping you make better decisions and understand yourself more deeply.
Gratitude and Humility: These practices can also foster a sense of gratitude and humility, helping you appreciate your blessings and remain grounded which in itself can give powerful results.
If you are thinking of starting prayer and fasting for the first time then be sure to do your research before you start as their are many different types of fasts. If you have any medical conditions then always consult your doctor before you start any fast days to ensure that you are medically fit to do so and if you experience any side effects then again seek medical help. You may also find it beneficial to join a spiritual or religious group with who you share beliefs and join them in their prayer and fasting rituals so that you can support one another and celebrate the benefits that you experience together, this will also allow you to ask them for advice and follow their guidance if they have been following fasting and prayer practices for a long time.