Why Spiritual Fasting Requires Body, Mind, and Soul

Summer is about transformation!

When we think of transformation, we often imagine the butterfly—once a crawling caterpillar, it becomes a soaring beauty. But becoming that butterfly? It takes more than wings and willpower. It is designed by God to go through much adversity to reach it’s true beauty.

It’s the same with us.

But, we are body AND soul. We need to fuel ourselves with both prayer and nutrition.

Prayer is essential. For full transformation—in body and soul—we must consider our biology, too.

I used to think that if I just prayed hard enough, the cravings would disappear. But over time, I discovered something profound: our bodies are divinely designed for spiritual fasting.

We need to consider the food we are eating. Good food fuels us. Our biology supports us. And what’s good for the soul is always good for the body, too.

God created us with bodies and souls and He gave us powerful minds as well with a will and an intellect. Our thoughts shape our biology. What we believe matters.

Here’s the catch: we often start our spiritual fasting with enthusiasm—rosary in hand, intentions written neatly in a fresh journal—but we overlook what’s happening in our thoughts. Every day, we have around 60,000 thoughts, most of them negative or fear-based. That means we are often praying and fasting while being quietly sabotaged by our own inner dialogue.

That’s why Catholic mind management is so important.

Motivation fades. Menu plans go off track. But learning to notice and direct our thoughts through the lens of the faith? That changes everything. When you align your mind, body, and soul under the truth of who God says you are, transformation takes root.

Your prayer life deepens. Your body responds. Your desires become clearer. And slowly but surely—you change.

Spiritual fasting is not just about eating less. It’s about living more fully in the Spirit, managing your thoughts with scriptural intention, and understanding how your biology and beliefs work together.

If we return to the butterfly—the ancient Christian symbol of resurrection—we see our roadmap. The caterpillar doesn’t just change overnight. It enters the tomb of transformation and emerges into new life. Light. Free. Glorious.

That’s your story too.

With prayer, fasting, and faith-informed mind management, you’re not dieting. You’re preparing to burst forth into new life for others. To leave behind the ordinary and rise into the extraordinary life God is calling you to.

It’s not easy. But it’s worth it.

You are more powerful than you think.

I’ll be talking about this LIVE on my free Training called Christ Before Sugar this Thursday, May 22nd at Noon EST. 

Come join me—I’d love to meet you and help you begin to Delay and Pray®, too!

See you there!