When Fasting Feels Hard, Keep Praying Anyway

When Fasting Feels Hard, Keep Praying Anyway

There’s a point in every fast when your mind whispers, “This is too much.” Hunger, fatigue, distraction, and doubt can make even the simplest prayer feel impossible. Maybe it’s the mid-afternoon slump, or that moment when life’s responsibilities weigh heavier than ever. You try to focus, you try to pray, but your heart feels dry, your mind scattered, and your spirit tired.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Every person who has ever embarked on a fast has faced this exact challenge. And here’s the good news: this is exactly when prayer matters most.

Even the shortest, simplest prayers carry incredible power when spoken in faith:

“Lord, give me strength.”
“God, help me endure.”

Short prayers like these are not less effective just because they are brief. In fact, they often reach God in ways that long, complicated prayers cannot—because they come from a heart that is honest, humble, and ready to rely completely on Him.

Why Short Prayers Work During Hard Times

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel unworthy or unprepared to pray. But Scripture reminds us that God isn’t measuring the length of our words. He’s listening to the faith behind them. Even a whispered “Help me, Lord” can shift your heart and move mountains in ways you cannot yet see.

Pastor Jentezen's book, The Power of Short Prayers, was written for these moments, when you don’t have time for long prayers, when your schedule is full, and when your spirit is tired, but your desire to connect with God is still alive. It’s a guide to help you lean into Him consistently, even when it feels hard, and to help you understand that prayer is not about perfection, but persistence.

A Practical Prayer to Keep You Going

Try this prayer today:

“Jesus, I need You now.”

Say it in the morning before the day begins.
Say it in moments of weakness, when your focus drifts, or when life feels heavy.
Say it when you don’t know what else to say.

Even one sentence, repeated with faith and intention, has the power to carry you through your day. Short prayers said consistently are heard by God, and they can change your day, your week, and your life.

Stay Consistent, Even When It Feels Hard

One of the most beautiful lessons of fasting is learning to persist in prayer, even when we don’t feel like it. Spiritual growth often happens not when it’s easy, but when we push through the fatigue, the doubt, and the distractions, trusting that God is working even when we can’t see it.

Use this fast to develop a habit of turning to God in every situation, no matter how small. Every whispered prayer is a seed planted. Over time, those seeds grow into breakthroughs, clarity, and deeper intimacy with God.

Remember, the goal isn’t to pray perfectly. The goal is to pray faithfully, short or long, consistently, and sincerely. Let your heart speak, and let God do the rest.

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