Why Some Breakthroughs Require Prayer and Fasting

Many Christians are familiar with prayer. We talk to God, bring Him our needs, and trust Him to act. But throughout Scripture, there are moments when God’s people went beyond prayer alone and embraced fasting—not to earn God’s favor, but to deepen their dependence on Him.

Jesus Himself addressed this in Matthew 17:21, saying, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” His words remind us that not every challenge we face is the same. Some situations require a deeper posture of humility, surrender, and trust.

When Prayer Alone Feels Insufficient

In Matthew 17, the disciples encounter a situation they cannot resolve. Though they had seen miracles and exercised authority before, this moment exposes their limits. Jesus does not rebuke their calling or sincerity—He teaches them that certain challenges require greater spiritual preparation.

Prayer expresses our dependence on God.
Fasting deepens that dependence.

Fasting is not about manipulating God or proving spiritual discipline. It is about removing distractions so we can listen more attentively, align more closely with God’s will, and trust Him more fully.

A Biblical Picture: Jehoshaphat and a National Crisis

One of the clearest Old Testament examples of prayer and fasting comes from the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When Judah was threatened by multiple enemy armies, the situation was beyond human ability to resolve. There was no military solution that could guarantee success.

Jehoshaphat’s response was to proclaim a fast and call the people together to seek God. Instead of relying on strategy or strength, the nation humbled itself before the Lord.

As they prayed and fasted, God spoke. He gave direction, reassurance, and ultimately delivered them without Judah having to fight the battle on their own. Their victory was not the result of their power, but of their trust in God.

What Prayer and Fasting Teach Us Today

Prayer and fasting do not change God’s character or His promises. They change our posture. They remind us that God is our source, our defender, and our provider.

Fasting:

  • Refocuses our attention on God

  • Strengthens spiritual clarity

  • Reinforces humility and trust

  • Prepares us to respond faithfully to God’s guidance

There are moments in life—personal, relational, or even communal—when our usual approaches are not enough. In those moments, prayer and fasting invite us to step back, surrender control, and seek God more intentionally.

A Call to Deeper Dependence

Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:21 are not meant to discourage us, but to invite us deeper. They remind us that faith is not only expressed in words, but in how we order our lives around God.

When we pray and fast, we are not striving for power—we are acknowledging our need for God’s grace and guidance. And in that place of dependence, we often find the breakthrough we were seeking.