Fasting Guide

 

What is Biblical Fasting?

Biblical fasting is increasing your hunger and appetite for God (Matthew 5:6) by spending time replacing other appetites with “feeding” on His Word (the Bible) and seeking Him in prayer. It is a way to acknowledge God as your ultimate source of life, strength and provision. Fasting invites God to move in your life in fresh and powerful ways by bringing your mind, body and spirit into full alignment with Him.

Why do we Fast?

Fasting reminds us that God alone is our source of life. In the same way that spending time with God in prayer and reading the Bible are crucial to our spiritual development, fasting is a discipline that is that is important to our spiritual growth. Fasting helps us to re-center our bodies, our minds and our souls. Individually it draws us closer to God in personal revival. Corporate (or group) fasting fosters revival in our Nation.

The Bible has many examples of fasting by God’s people.

Seek God’s guidance
Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. — Judges 20:26

Repent and return to God
When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. — 1 Samuel 7:6

Express grief
Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. — 1 Samuel 31:13

Humble oneself before God
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” — 1 Kings 21:27-29

Seek God’s protection
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. — 2 Chronicles 20:3-4

Strengthen prayer
So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. — Ezra 8:23

Support prayers for the needs of others
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven. — Nehemiah 1:3-4

Support our right relationship with God
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? — Isaiah 58:3-7

Jesus fasted to overcome temptation
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:1-4

Jesus taught his Disciples to fast
Jesus taut his disciples to fast as a regular practice. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:17-18

Express love and devotion for God
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. — Luke 2:36-37

How We Can Fast?

Consider your personal health and spiritual needs in deciding how to participate, then choose a Fasting Approach:

There are many ways to fast. Find a way to replace part of your normal routine (or “appetites”) and add time dedicated to seeking God. Ask for God’s guidance on how best to participate. Here are some ideas:

  • Full Fast: Liquids only for the duration of the fast. Drink water and juice.
  • Daniel Fast: Abstain from meat, sweets and bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.
  • Partial Fast: Abstain from a category of food or drink, such as sweets, restaurant food, snack food, alcohol, or soft drinks.
  • Non-Food Fast: Choose something you routinely do for relaxation, entertainment or enjoyment and replace it with time spent seeking the Lord. Some options include social media, video games, tv, work, or shopping.

Prepare Physically: When fasting from food, it is good to prepare your body in the following ways:

  • Drink plenty of water leading up to and during the fast.
  • Consult a healthcare professional before fasting if you have any health or medical concerns.

Prepare Spiritually: To get the most out of the fast, prepare your mind and spirit in the following ways:

  • Set aside time (15-60 minutes) once or multiple times throughout the day to seek God in prayer and through reading scripture.
  • Determine where you will spend your prayer time. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted.
  • Consider keeping a journal of your thoughts, insights, inspiration and experience from the fast.

Breaking the Fast:

  • If you have been fasting from most or all food, reintroduce your normal diet gradually. Avoid large or heavy meals for the first 24-48 hours after ending your fast. This will help prevent shock to your digestive system.
  • Continue to drink lots of water as you return to your normal eating habits.
  • Review your journaling and notes from the fast. Share the breakthroughs and insights with friends and family.