Fasting can be a beautiful time with God, but it is not always easy. Hunger can make you tired.
A busy day can distract you. Some people start strong and then struggle to stay consistent.
If you are looking for prayers to fast faithfully, it often means you want more than a routine. You want a sincere heart that stays close to God from start to finish.
This post is written to help you stay steady during your fast. The prayers are simple and clear, so you can pray them even when you feel weak or distracted.
You do not need to pray everything at once. Choose one prayer for the day. Pray it slowly. Then read the verse under it and sit quietly for a moment. Small, faithful steps matter.
A Short, biblical view of fasting
Fasting in the Bible is not meant to impress people. It is meant to draw you nearer to God. Jesus taught that fasting should be done with sincerity, not for attention. God sees what is done in secret, and He cares about the heart behind it.
The Bible also shows that fasting should match a life that is turning toward God. It is not only about skipping food. It is about humility, repentance, and obedience. A fast is meant to help you seek God more clearly and respond to Him more willingly.
Fasting can include prayer, Scripture, and small acts of love and mercy. It can also include quietness—stepping away from distractions so you can listen.
The main point is simple: fasting is a way of saying, “Lord, I want You more than anything else right now.”
15 Prayers to stay faithful while fasting
These prayers are written to help you stay sincere and consistent during your fast. Pray slowly, and do not rush. If your mind wanders, bring it back gently. God honors a simple, honest prayer.
1. A prayer to begin a fast with a clean heart
Gracious God,
I begin this fast by coming close to You.
Please cleanse my heart and help me seek You with sincerity.
Remove pride and wrong motives from me.
Let this fast draw me nearer to You and not just change my routine.
Help me start well, with humility and trust.
Amen.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8
2. A prayer for strength when the body feels weak
Mighty God,
My body feels tired, and I feel weak today.
Please give me strength to continue this fast with wisdom.
Help me focus on You when discomfort rises.
Give me grace to keep going, one moment at a time.
Strengthen me in both body and spirit.
Amen.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” — Isaiah 40:29
3. A prayer for a sincere spirit, not attention
Dear Lord,
Please guard my heart during this fast.
Keep me from seeking attention or praise from people.
Help me fast quietly and honestly before You.
Let this time be about You, not about how I look to others.
Teach me to love the secret place with You.
Amen.
“And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” — Matthew 6:18
4. A prayer for self-control and discipline
Holy God,
I need self-control, not only with food, but in my thoughts and habits.
Please strengthen my will to do what is right.
Help me resist cravings and distractions.
Teach me to say no to what pulls me away from You.
Give me a steady and disciplined spirit.
Amen.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
5. A prayer to stay focused on God throughout the day
Lord Jesus,
My day can get busy, and my mind can drift.
Please help me keep my focus on You while I fast.
Bring my attention back to You again and again.
Help me pause, breathe, and pray instead of rushing.
Let my heart stay steady in Your presence.
Amen.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
6. A prayer to replace hunger with worship
Gracious God,
When I feel hungry, help me remember why I am fasting.
Let hunger become a reminder to seek You, not a reason to complain.
Turn my hunger into worship and gratitude.
Fill my heart with praise instead of frustration.
Help me desire Your presence more than food.
Amen.
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee.” — Psalm 63:1
7. A prayer to resist temptation during the fast
Mighty God,
Temptation can feel stronger when I am fasting.
Please help me stand firm and not give in to what is wrong.
Give me strength to turn away quickly.
Help me choose obedience even when it is hard.
Keep my heart clean and my steps steady.
Amen.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
8. A prayer for clarity and guidance while fasting
Dear Lord,
I am seeking You for direction and clarity.
Please guide me as I fast and pray.
Open my understanding and quiet my anxious thoughts.
Help me hear You clearly and follow Your leading.
Give me peace as I wait for Your answers.
Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart… and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
9. A prayer for repentance and a changed heart
Gracious God,
As I fast, please search my heart.
Show me what needs to change and what I have been ignoring.
Forgive me where I have sinned against You.
Help me turn away from wrong ways and walk in obedience.
Let this fast lead to real change, not only emotions.
Amen.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
10. A prayer for humility and kindness toward others
Mighty God,
Please help me fast with a humble spirit.
Keep me from pride, harshness, or judging other people.
Teach me to speak gently and act with kindness.
Let my fasting show in love, patience, and mercy.
Help me honor You in how I treat others.
Amen.
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” — Ephesians 4:32
11. A prayer when distractions keep pulling my mind away
Dear Lord,
My mind is easily distracted, and I struggle to stay focused.
Even during fasting, many things try to pull my attention away.
Please help me return to You again and again.
Teach me to quiet the noise and choose the better thing.
Give me a steady mind and a peaceful heart.
Amen.
“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” — Psalm 119:37
12. A prayer for patience while waiting for answers
Holy God,
Waiting is not easy for me.
I want quick answers, but sometimes You ask me to be still.
Please give me patience and peace while I wait.
Help me trust that You are working, even when I do not see it.
Teach me to rest in Your timing.
Amen.
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.” — Psalm 27:14
13. A prayer for faith to keep going until the fast is complete
Lord Jesus,
Some days I feel strong, and some days I feel weak.
Please help me stay faithful and finish what I started with You.
Give me steady faith and fresh strength each day.
Help me not quit because of one hard moment.
Hold me up and keep me close to You.
Amen.
“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9
14. A prayer for protection and peace at night during a fast
Gracious God,
Nights can feel quiet, but my thoughts can get loud.
Please give me peace and rest while I am fasting.
Calm my mind and guard my heart.
Help me sleep in safety and wake with strength.
Let Your presence cover me through the night.
Amen.
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep.” — Psalm 4:8
15. A closing prayer of surrender and thanksgiving
Mighty God,
Thank You for helping me through this time of fasting.
Even if it has been hard, You have been with me.
I surrender my heart, my needs, and my questions to You.
Lead me forward in obedience and peace.
Let the fruit of this fast remain in my life.
Amen.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Bible verses to pray while fasting
Sometimes you may not know what to say during a fast. In those moments, reading a verse slowly can guide your prayer. These verses are simple and steady, and they fit many fasting seasons.
- “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting.” — Joel 2:12
- “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8
- “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
- “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” — Psalm 119:105
- “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
- “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” — Psalm 51:10
- “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him.” — Lamentations 3:25
- “Man shall not live by bread alone.” — Matthew 4:4
A Gentle closing reflection
Fasting faithfully does not mean fasting perfectly. It means returning to God again and again with a sincere heart. Some days you will feel focused. Other days you will feel distracted or weak. Do not let that discourage you. God sees your desire to seek Him.
As you fast, keep it simple. Pray short prayers. Read small portions of Scripture. Do quiet acts of obedience and love. Even small steps taken in faith matter to God, and He knows how to meet you in the secret place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best prayer to start a fast?
A good prayer to start a fast is one that asks God for a clean heart and sincere motives. You can ask God to guide your fast, strengthen you, and help you stay focused on Him.
How do I stay faithful while fasting when I feel weak?
Take it one moment at a time. Drink water, rest if needed, and pray short prayers. You can also choose a partial fast if your body needs it. The goal is to seek God sincerely, not to harm yourself.
What should I read in the Bible while fasting?
Many people read the Psalms, the Gospels, or short passages that focus on repentance, humility, and seeking God. Choose something simple that helps you pray and stay focused.
What if I fail during my fast?
If you slip, do not quit. Confess it to God, learn from it, and continue. God is merciful, and He cares about your heart. A setback is not the end of your fast.
Can I fast from something other than food?
Yes. Some people fast from social media, entertainment, or other distractions so they can spend more time in prayer and Scripture. This can be a wise option, especially for those with health limitations.
