FASTING

Fasting makes room for God and releases His power in our lives.

Biblical fasting is about removing distractions for a spiritual purpose—it resets the soul, renews us from the inside out, and makes room for God’s power to work in us. Fasting helps us focus, hear more clearly, and walk in the strength and direction the Spirit provides. It also allows us to celebrate God’s goodness and prepares our hearts for all He wants to do. Your personal fast should be a challenge, but it’s important to know your body, your options, and most of all, to seek God in prayer and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References About Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew 9:14-15

Luke 18:9-14

Acts 27:33-37

Nehemiah 9:1-3

Types of Fasts

Partial Fast

This fast involves abstaining from eating any type of food during specified parts of the day. For example, sunrise to sunset or 9am-3pm.

Complete Fast

In this type of fast, you drink only liquids - typically water, with light juices as an option.

Soul Fast

This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast, and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

Selective Fast

This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sugar, and bread from your diet. Instead, you consume water and juice for fluids, and fruits and vegetables for food. If you are new to fasting, a great selective fast is abstaining from certain drinks, such as caffeinated or sugary beverages. Or, you can pick one food or food group to remove - meat or sugar, for example.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you wondering how to fast, what to fast, or how you can just get started? Here are some FAQs to help you prepare for your fast.

There is not a specific food, drink, or activity that you have to fast. Some choose to go without all solid food. Others do a partial fast, such as the Daniel Fast, eating only natural foods. For others it’s an activity. Whatever you choose, the key is to deny your body something that it craves. Fasting is about one thing – it is about seeking God and asking the Holy Spirit to show you how you can set things aside so that you can position yourself to honor, seek, and hear from God. Before you begin your fast, spend some time in prayer and ask God to show you what He would like you to remove. His answers might be different for each and every person! The point is to listen and obey him. He is a gracious and loving God and he will show you the way.

There is not a specific food, drink, or activity that you have to fast. Some choose to go without all solid food. Others do a partial fast such as the Daniel Fast eating only natural foods. For still others it’s an activity. Whatever you choose, a key is to deny your body something that it craves. Fasting is about one thing – it is about seeking God and asking the Holy Spirit to show you how you can set things aside so that you can position yourself to honor, seek, and hear from God. Before you begin your fast spend some time in prayer and ask God to show you what he would like you to fast. His answers might be different for each and every person. The point is to listen and obey him. He is a gracious and loving God and he will show you the way.

Ask God to show you how many days to participate and during our 21 Days of Prayer and fasting, and participate in the way He is leading you. It also doesn’t have to look the same for the whole 21 days. For example, you could fast certain foods one week, social media the next, and finish the last week by giving up caffeine. Remember, it’s just about removing something you crave, and filling that space with more of Him.

It’s important to plan ahead for your fast. Choosing your fasting plan is a very personal decision. We are all at different places in our relationship with God, and we shouldn’t compare our fasting plans to those of other people. Pray and ask God to show you what He wants you to do, and then commit to your plan. If there is something you are seeking from God during your fast - a breakthrough or clarity for a decision - write that down. Also, once you decide the object of your fast, you may have some physical prep to do. Wean off caffeine, get extra rest, whatever you feel you need to do to start strong.

Remember, fasting is a tool used to get closer to God. If giving up food is a stumbling block for you, then consider fasting from television, reading (Other than the Bible, of course!), social media, or shopping. There are plenty of other distractions, pleasures, or methods of control that we could eliminate from our daily routine that keep us from focusing more on the Lord. If you can identify other things, give those up instead of food.

If you “mess up” during your fast, don’t get discouraged. Just get right back on track and keep going. God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He wants you to finish, and He will give you the grace and strength to do it.

Here are two additional great tips that can also help to keep you on track:

1.) Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with the items you need. Being unprepared to fast sets you up to give into temptation.

2.) Make it a priority to attend church each week during your 21 day fast. Being around other believers will encourage you to keep on going when fasting gets difficult.

Learn More About Fasting

7 steps to successful prayer & fasting