FASTING GUIDE

What does the Bible teach about fasting?

Biblical fasting involves abstaining from eating (and/or drinking) for spiritual purposes.

  • Fasting teaches us to that God’s Word nourishes us.

  • Fasting teaches us that doing God’s will sustains us.

  • Fasting teaches us that Jesus himself sustains us.

What is the purpose of fasting?

Fasting is designed to intensify our dependence on God by weakening our dependence on food and other things. How does it do that?

  • Fasting reveals and heals our dependence on food (and other things)

  • Fasting teaches us that we can go without getting what we want and survive.

  • Fasting expresses and deepens our hunger for God.

Before you begin:

Step 1: Clarity the purpose of your fast.

Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Fasting is God-led and God-initiated. That means that He fuels a desire to fast and pray. He loves it when we fast.

Step 2: Specify the kind of fast you will do

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it.

Before you fast, decide the following up front:

  • How long you will fast - one meal, one day, one week, several weeks, certain days (beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts)?

  • The type of fast God wants you to undertake - discussed in the Types of Fasts section below.

  • What physical or social activities you will restrict

  • How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word

  • Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon it.

Step 3: Prepare your heart, mind and body for fasting.

  • Fasting especially from food or types of food requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

  • Do not rush into your fast. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

  • Prepare your heart and mind: Remember that God is your Father and He loves you and is for you.

  • Do not underestimate spiritual opposition.

  • Finally, and of deep importance, Jesus instructs us in Matthew to not let others know about your fasting. The strict details of your fast should not be something you constantly talk about to others. It should remain between you and God.

Types of fasting:

  • Abstaining from certain types of foods (meat, sweets, etc). Daniel 10:3

    • this type is good for beginners or those who may have health needs and special or restrictive diets.

  • Abstaining from all food - Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9

    • this kind of fast is more difficult but can be broken up by timing and duration. This seems to be the most prevalent of the fasts we see in the bible. it is also the most intimidating. Fasting from all food is not scary if you determine before hand when you will do so and for how long.

  • Abstaining from entertainment. - Daniel 6:18

    • Thing of abstaining from television, video games, reading except the bible, music, etc for the duration of you fast.

If you do not choose to fast, or no matter what kind of fast you choose, seek God with us in prayer and let's expectantly watch what He does as we lean in to 2026!