Fasting gives you more time for prayer.
You can use the time you’d normally spend eating as time in prayer and to read God’s Word. It will help you understand what God wants to do in your life.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3
Fasting demonstrates the depth of your desire when praying for something. It shows that you are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a personal price. God honors deep desire and praying in faith.

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14
Fasting releases God’s supernatural power. It is a tool you can use when there is opposition to God's Will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among God's people. United prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy!

[God says,] Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

To focus your full attention on God.
To bring you into a closer relationship with Christ.
To reveal things in your life that are controlling you.
To humble yourself.
To remind you to seek God before making important decisions.
To cause you to put more faith in God.
To reveal how much more you need God, rather than food.
To emphasize that this life is not about you; it's about knowing and glorifying God

The Bible records many instances of people fasting to prepare for a blessing!

Jesus fasted during his victory over temptation.
For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. Luke 4:2 (The Message)

Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments.
So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:28 (ESV)
The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory.
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” . . . Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:2-3
Daniel fasted in order to receive guidance from God.
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition. in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. . . . while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.” Daniel 9:3, 21-22
Nehemiah fasted before deciding to begin a major building project.
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

Ask God what He wants you to pray about while fasting. Is it praying about a very important decision you need to make, or is it releasing to God an unsaved child/ spouse, a worried heart, a divorce, an illness, a painful situation, a new job, a move, a financial burden, an addiction, etc.? Whatever your specific situation is, God’s purpose for you to fast and pray is for you to focus on Him, laying your burdens down at His feet.

During your fast, you will spend more time with God than you did previously. Expect changes to take place in your heart and life as you get closer to God.

Fasting is as important as any of the other spiritual habits that believers should incorporate into their lives. It will help you have a closer relationship with God. It also helps with self-control by denying yourself something you desire, such as food.

Practical Guidelines

Before you start fasting, pray and ask for God's direction and guidance to see if He is leading you to begin a fast.
If you have health problems, or are unsure, call your doctor for medical advice.
If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, do not fast.
Write down specific prayer requests and thanksgivings related to your fast. (But remember: Fasting is not done as an attempt to get something from God, only to submit to His Will.)
Expect to be blessed by God as you fast, pray, and honor Him.
Decrease the frequency of your meals and the portions of your food two days prior to fasting. Don't aim at "storing up" by overeating before a fast.
The day before you start your fast, eat raw vegetables and fresh fruits.
If fasting on your own, don't boast about it! It is between God and you.
Set aside time to pray and enjoy God's presence. He is the sole focus of your fast. Read the Word of God and keep a journal to write your conversations with Him.
While on a fast, drink lots of water.
While fasting, continue your regular activities, but this is not a good time to start any new strenuous exercise.
Agree with God when He brings attention to sins in your life. ("Confess" means to agree with God.)
If you are completing an extended fast, break your fast gently by eating some fruits. Remember, do not overeat after a fast!

"Fasting is not confined to abstinence from eating and drinking. Fasting really means voluntary abstinence for a time from the various necessities of life, such as food, drink, sleep, rest, association with people and so forth. The purpose ...is to loosen to some degree the ties which bind us to the world of material things and our surroundings as a whole, in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things." –Ole Hallesby, Prayer

What are you preoccupied with in your life? What distraction keeps you from spending time with God? Put a check mark by one or more.

Is it your...

Internet/email/social media
Shopping
Gossiping
Cell phone/text messaging
Exercising
Movies
Television
Music
Decorating
Entertaining
Spending money
Sports
Traveling
Sweets/soda

Whatever the distraction is in your life, recognize and identify what it is, and how much time you spend on it. Be honest with yourself. Commit to set aside a certain amount of time that you usually spend on your very own distractions, and instead spend that time with God, reading the Scripture and praying.

Ask God what He wants you to pray about while fasting. Is it praying about a very important decision you need to make, or is it releasing to God an unsaved child/ spouse, a worried heart, a divorce, an illness, a painful situation, a new job, a move, a financial burden, an addiction, etc.? Whatever your specific situation is, God’s purpose for you to fast and pray is for you to focus on Him, laying your burdens down at His feet.

During your fast, you will spend more time with God than you did previously. Expect changes to take place in your heart and life as you get closer to God.

Fasting is as important as any of the other spiritual habits that believers should incorporate into their lives. It will help you have a closer relationship with God. It also helps with self-control by denying yourself something you desire, such as food.

Practical Guidelines

Before you start fasting, pray and ask for God's direction and guidance to see if He is leading you to begin a fast.
- If you have health problems, or are unsure, call your doctor for medical advice.
- If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, do not fast.
- Write down specific prayer requests and thanksgivings related to your fast. (But remember: Fasting is not done as an attempt to get something from God, only to submit to His Will.)
- Expect to be blessed by God as you fast, pray, and honor Him.
- Decrease the frequency of your meals and the portions of your food two days prior to fasting. Don't aim at "storing up" by overeating before a fast.
- The day before you start your fast, eat raw vegetables and fresh fruits.
- If fasting on your own, don't boast about it! It is between God and you.
- Set aside time to pray and enjoy God's presence. He is the sole focus of your fast. Read the Word of God and keep a journal to write your conversations with Him.
- While on a fast, drink lots of water.
- While fasting, continue your regular activities, but this is not a good time to start any new strenuous exercise.
- Agree with God when He brings attention to sins in your life. ("Confess" means to agree with God.)
- If you are completing an extended fast, break your fast gently by eating some fruits. Remember, do not overeat after a fast!

Prayer: Ask God if He is leading you to fast for a specific reason. Pray that He will remove all the excuses and fears you have about getting started. With a repentant heart, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. Ask God to point out character flaws that you are not aware of. Humbly thank Him when He tells you the truth about you, because it will change your heart, your mind, and your life. Pray that God will give you the strength and endurance to complete a fast.

Circle one or two of the Action Steps below that you will take:

1. Identify and make a list of the greatest obstacles in your life that keep you from fasting.
2. This week, fast from ___________ , and set aside ____ hours and/or ____ minutes to spend time praying.
3. Ask ________ to be your accountability partner regarding fasting.
4. Ask _________ to fast and pray with you about something specific.
5. Start a Fasting Journal with your prayer requests and prayers of thanksgiving.

The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright
7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright
Fasting by Jentezen Franklin
Awakening by Stovall Weems