28 Powerful Ways to Avoid Distractions While Fasting and Praying

Fasting is a powerful way to draw closer to God but staying focused while fasting and praying can be challenging. It’s easy to let hunger or daily distractions take over, leaving us going through the motions without truly connecting with Him. In Isaiah 58, God calls out His people for fasting with the wrong motives, saying, “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please…” (Isaiah 58:3). That phrase — "you do as you please…” — is a sobering reminder that fasting isn’t just about what we give up; it’s about how we fill that space with His presence.

To help you make the most of your time while fasting and praying, I’ve organized 28 practical and creative ideas into seven themes: Engaging the Bible, Creative Activities, Prayer Practices, Gratitude and Reflection, Acts of Service, Community and Accountability, and Media and Lifestyle Adjustments.
Whether you want to deepen your understanding of Scripture, express your faith through art, or take a prayer walk, there’s something here for everyone. Explore these categories to find practices that resonate with you and help keep your heart and mind focused on God.

Engaging with the Bible

These practices focus on deepening your understanding of God’s Word.

1. Read a Book of the Bible

Depending on the duration of your fast, you can read a book of the bible. For short daily fasts, books like Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians can be studied in a day or two while books like Romans, Genesis, Psalms and other longer books of the bible can be read or studied on extended fasts.

2. Memorize the Scripture

Choose a verse or passage to commit to memory. These days, we can pull up bible verses as soon as we think of them. It’s possible to even type up anything you recall about the verse and leave pulling it up to Google. While I’m thankful for all the technology at my disposal, I miss the days of memorizing scripture. Pick a verse or passage that speaks to you and repeat it throughout the day to focus to focus your mind on God.

3. Write Out Scripture

Choose a chapter or a set of verses and write them out slowly. Reflect on each word and sentence, asking God for deeper understanding.

4. Walk Through the Psalms

The psalms cover a wide range of human emotions and can be sung, recited like poetry or used as a prayer guide. Choose a Psalm each day and meditate on it, create your own tune and sing it, write it out by hand or make it a prayer. You have lots of options with the psalms.

5. Learn About Fasting in the Bible

Study how biblical figures such as Daniel, Esther, Jesus, Nehemiah, Paul, David, Anna, Joel, Moses, Elijah, etc., fasted and what breakthroughs they experienced. Reflect on how their stories apply to your life.

6. Meditate on a Name of God

Choose one of God’s names (e.g., Jehovah Jireh, El Shaddai). Read the story of how it occurs in the bible then reflect on what it means in your life. If you choose to Jehovah Jireh, for instance, think back to all the times you have experienced God’s provision in your life. Pray and worship God through this lens.

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Creative Activities

These practices focus on worship through creativity.

7. Engage in Creative Worship

Paint, draw, or create something inspired by a scripture or your experience with God. This is such a fun one even if you feel like you don’t know how to draw or paint. No one has to see it. This is between you and God. If you own a journalling bible with artwork, this might be a time to pull it out. You could use stickers as well. What’s important is that you use your creativity as an offering to God.

8. Create a Worship Playlist

Put together a playlist of worship songs and hymns that exalt God. Save the list on any of your favorite music apps. Listen to it throughout the day to stay in a spirit of worship. Go a step further and share your playlist with friends and family.

9. Create a Scripture Art Piece

Design a visual representation of your favorite verse or promise. Choose a verse that deeply resonates with you, e.g., "Be still and know that He is God." Use it as a meditative tool throughout the fast. Another thing you could do is create an art piece that reminds you of the theme of your fast.

10. Write a Psalm or Poem to God

Craft your own Psalm of praise, lament, or thanksgiving. Don’t try to sound like anyone else or put yourself under pressure to sound rhythmical and spiritually verbose. Write as you would speak to a friend, using your own words and experiences.

11. Make a Vision Board

Create a vision board with prayers, scriptures, and images that align with your faith goals. Use it to remind yourself of God’s promises.

12. Write Out Worship Lyrics

Choose a worship song that resonates with your heart. Write out the lyrics, reflect on their meaning, and personalize them into prayers.

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Prayer Practices

These practices strengthen your connection with God through intentional prayer.

13. Pray Over Specific Areas of Your Life

During your fast, dedicate time to pray for different aspects of your life (e.g., family, career, health). Praying shouldn’t be like a grocery list that you tick of as you buy items. Remember to incorporate praise and thanksgiving.

14. Write Prayers for Others

Write personalized prayers for your friends, family, or community. Bring their needs, struggles, and situations before God. Devote some time to pray for your leaders, nations, and coworkers.

15. Pray with a Friend

Call or meet up with someone to pray together. Share prayer points and support each other during the fast.

16. Practice Holy Listening

Spend time in silence, asking God to speak to your heart. Jot down any impressions, words, or scriptures that come to mind. It’s important to remember that listening to God speak is a part of prayer. Prayer shouldn’t be a one-sided conversation.

17. Take Prayer Walks

Walk through a park or your neighborhood while praying or meditating on scripture. Let nature remind you of God’s creation and His power.

18. Meditate on the Cross

Spend time thinking about Jesus’ sacrifice and what it means for your daily life. Use the fast as a time of gratitude, rededication, submission and recommitment.

19. Practice Deep Breathing and Scripture Meditation

Combine deep, calming breaths with meditating on short scripture phrases.
For example:

• 'Be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10)

• 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer...' (Philippians 4:6)

• 'The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?' (Psalm 27:1)

Pause at different times during your day to repeat this practice.

20. Read Books on Fasting and Prayer

Some people say the only way to learn to pray is to actually pray. While that's true to some extent, I can't emphasize enough how inspiring it is to read good books on fasting and prayer. I always feel more motivated to pray when I read about other people's experiences and encounters during prayer. In fact, the first time I prayed for 5 hours in one day was because I got super charged after reading a book on prayer.

Here are some powerful books that can fire up your prayer life:

"Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer" by Franklin Hall The raw testimonies in this one will challenge you to go deeper in prayer.

"The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson This one's full of real stories that'll make you want to pray bigger prayers.

"Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin Super practical - helps you understand different types of fasts and how to actually do them.

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Gratitude and Reflection

These practices that center your heart on thankfulness and self-reflection.

21. Journal Your Fasting Journey

I’ve done this on some fasts. I write down my thoughts, prayers and insights. I find it refreshing to look back at what I have journaled to reflect on my thoughts during that time or simply look at how far I have come. I’m always grateful to discover that some of my prayers have been answered.

22. Scripture Affirmations

Write down affirmations based on Bible verses (e.g., "I am more than a conqueror through Christ" – Romans 8:37). What areas of aspects of life cause you to struggle? Where do you need a breakthrough? What qualities of God do you need to keep front and center in this season? Write and repeat these affirmations throughout the day to renew your mind.

23. Start a Gratitude Chain or List

Write one thing you’re thankful for in a notebook or sticky note each hour. Set a reminder! There’s always so much to be thankful for. List the big and little things. Listing things you’re grateful for is a way to shift your focus from hunger to God’s goodness.

24. Write Letters to God

Do you miss the days of writing and receiving letters? I know I do! Just maybe God misses hearing from you. Write a letter from your heart to God expressing your desires, struggles, and gratitude. Keep it as a personal reminder of your journey.

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Acts of Service

This practice shifts the focus from yourself to serving others.

25. Serve Others

Look for ways to serve during your fast, like volunteering, donating, or helping someone in need. Isaiah 58:6 – 7 reads:

“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?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Acts of service can bring your focus back to God’s love and purpose.

Community and Accountability

This practice can help you to stay encouraged and inspired.

26. Fast with Friends

Fasting with friends can help keep you accountable and serve as a source of encouragement during your fast. Schedule a virtual or in-person gathering and pray for one another, read the scriptures, worship, share testimonies and things God is teaching you during the fast.

Media and Lifestyle Adjustments

Reduce distractions and build a fasting-friendly routine.

27. Fast from Non-Spiritual Media

Replace time spent on secular media (TV, social media, etc.) with uplifting Christian content. Watch Christian films or series to keep your focus on God’s work in the world. Read Christian fiction to gain insights into faith and perseverance through fictional characters. Read inspiring Christian biographies and nonfiction, listen to sermons, and use apps like YouVersion to replace scrolling mindlessly. Use this detox to clear your mind and focus on God and create space for deeper spiritual connection.

28. Build a Routine for Your Fast

Structure your day in a way that allows you to intentionally make room for God during your fast. It may vary from day to day, but having a structure will help you maintain your focus on God. An example could be:

• Morning: Prayer and scripture writing

• Midday: Prayer walk or time with a friend

• Mealtimes: Brief prayer moments during mealtimes if doing a food fast

• Evening: Worship or a Christian movie

Experiment with these practices to discover which ones resonate most with your spirit.
Do what works for you and don’t guilt trip yourself if you don’t adhere to it. It’s meant to be a guide, not your judge.

Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for each person embarking on a fasting journey. Give them strength when they feel weak, and peace when they struggle. Holy Spirit, remind them to ask for wisdom when they're uncertain. Let this time of fasting draw them deeper into Your presence, Lord. Help them sense Your nearness in during this season. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I’d love to hear which practices you’ve tried or plan to implement during your fast. Let’s encourage one another on this journey—share your thoughts in the comments!