What does it mean to fast, and why does Scripture tie it so closely to prayer? In this episode, Dot and Cara open Matthew 4:1–4 and talk about fasting not as a way to manipulate God, but as a way to draw near, remove distractions, and realign our hearts with His will. Together they explore how biblical fasting differs from today’s health trends, how hunger can point us back to prayer, and how this practice can tune our hearts to trust God more deeply. Grab your Bible, a journal, and a cup of coffee, and join this conversation about dependence, desire, and hearing from God!
Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show?
Let us know! Episode recap:
- Start by writing down Matthew 4:1-4 (0:08)
- Today we are talking about the spiritual practice of fasting (0:50)
- Spiritual disciplines help us pull us away from the noise of the world (3:33)
- So often, we try to be God (7:45)
- Praying and fasting purify your heart and realign it (10:59)
- Fasting is about removing things that take your time/desire away from God (14:04)
- When we get hungry, what are we going to fill that desire with? (15:15)
- Both practices are guardrails we can put in place (19:28)
- Fasting and prayer precede big moments in the Bible (20:40)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at
hello@dotbowen.com.
Scripture Verse: Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV)
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
What is Write this Down! with Dot Bowen?
Bible teacher, author and founder of Cup of Joy Ministries, Dot Bowen, teaches listeners what it truly looks like to know, love and follow Jesus. Each week, Dot invites you to sit down with her and her daughter, Cara, to have an authentic conversation about Biblical Scripture and God’s Truth. Their honest and thought provoking conversations are full of wit and wisdom which will have you diving deeper into God’s Word.
Whether Dot is teaching, speaking or simply grabbing coffee with a dear friend, she can often be heard saying with excitement, “Write this Down!” Her heart for the listener is to take the things she asks you to write down before the Lord and ask Him to open your eyes to His Truth and love. John 8:32 says, “and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.”
By the end of each episode, you’ll find yourself grabbing a pencil so that you can Write this Down! with Dot Bowen.