In the old testament, and all fasted so that god would hear their petitions and change the hearts of their people and their enemies, and god answered their prayers.

Nehemiah

Esther

Ezra

Explanation:

Nehemiah got a bad news that the wall of Jerusalem had not been rebuilt and this made them vulnerable to attack. He fasted and prayed to God and after his fasting, he was made the Governor of Judah so that he could oversee and ensure the building of the walls of Jerusalem.

Haman and the King declared that all the Jews will be wiped out. Mordechai then informed Esther and asked her to go beg the King to have mercy. Esther could not just walk up to the King as she risks Execution. So she gathered the people and they fasted and prayed for 3 days. God answered them as Achashverosh favored Esther and set into motion activities to thwart the evil plans of Haman.

When Ezra felt highly overwhelmed when rebuilding the Jerusalem temple, he chose to fast and pray to God and God answered and gave him the needed motivation to complete the temple.

it depends on which society you are referring to. many civilization performed rituals so the gods would with their growing season but the most well known is that of the aztecs. they would make sacrifices, usually animals, but sometimes humans as well.