Fasting Breaks the Power of Unbelief

We live in a world where we often want breakthrough without process. We pray, we speak in faith, we decree—but sometimes, we still don’t see the power. And when that happens, we’re left wondering: is it God’s will, or is there something in us that needs to shift?

In Mark 9:28–29, after the disciples were unable to cast a demon out of a boy, they asked Jesus why they couldn’t do it. Jesus replied, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

For years, people have assumed Jesus was only referring to a particularly powerful demon. And maybe He was—but not just that. Jesus wasn’t just talking about the kind of demon. He was pointing to the kind of unbelief.

“Fasting is not a hunger strike to convince God to do something. It’s about getting us into a place where we can hear, believe, and act on what He’s already said.” — Bill Johnson

When you look at the story closely, Jesus first addresses their lack of faith—not their lack of technique. He rebukes the disciples for their unbelief (Matthew 17:20), then says, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” It’s all connected. Unbelief was the real obstacle.

The father of the boy even says, “I believe—help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). That’s the tension many of us live in. We believe… but not fully. There’s still some mixture. Still some doubt in the corners of our soul.

“Jesus didn’t say they failed because the demon was too big. He said it was because of their unbelief. Fasting helps break that unbelief—not because it changes God, but because it changes us.” — Andrew Wommack

And this ties directly into what James 1:6–8 says:

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. That person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

That’s a hard word—but a true one. Doubt, not just sin, can be the barrier. You can be sincere, you can pray the right words, but if doubt is hiding beneath the surface, it can shut down your ability to receive.

Fasting doesn’t earn us more of God. It clears out what’s been in the way. It crucifies our comfort and flesh, silences the noise, and puts the spirit in charge again. It detoxes us of doubt.

Fasting doesn’t give you more authority, but it helps you walk in the authority you already have by dealing with the fear, unbelief, and flesh that can block it.

If Jesus, who was sinless, fasted 40 days before stepping into His ministry, how much more do we need to fast to walk in the clarity and power He walked in?

If you’ve prayed and stood in faith and still feel stuck, maybe it’s time to fast—not to change God’s will, but to bring your heart into alignment with it.

Fasting helps us see Jesus more clearly. And when we see Him rightly, we’ll believe rightly—and when we believe rightly, the power flows naturally.

“Fasting doesn’t twist God’s arm. It positions your heart.” — Bill Johnson