In Acts 14:21-25, Paul and Barnabas note and demonstrate the significance of fasting in spiritual leadership and community building. After preaching in Derbe and making many disciples, they then retrace their steps through the recent major cities they had recently visited, offering strength to believers and encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith despite hardship and persecution. Recognizing the necessity of strong leadership, they appointed elders in every church. This process of appointment was accompanied by prayer and fasting.

Fasting, in this context and paired with prayer, serves as a profound act of humility and dependence on God. By abstaining from food, Paul and Barnabas demonstrate their desire for divine guidance and blessing on the new leaders. This scripture encourages us to incorporate fasting into our spiritual practices, especially when seeking God’s guidance in making critical decisions and when interceding for others in leadership roles. Fasting is not just a ritualistic exercise, but a means of drawing closer to God. By doing this, we may better align ourselves with God’s will and transformative power into our communities, trusting Him to sustain and lead us through challenging times.