What is fasting?
Fasting is abstaining from eating for a period of time. Fasting is an outward expression of an inward commitment to pursue God. When you fast, you slow down to hear from God. Fasting can take various forms and last different lengths of time.
Christian fasting is always combined with prayer.
What’s the point of fasting?
- Fasting is a concrete way to offer God a sacrifice. This is a way to praise Him.
- Fasting is a way to intensify your ability to pray.
- Fasting helps you focus and hear from God more clearly.
- Fasting is a spiritual discipline: it helps us grow in our faith.
- Fasting is a tangible way to deny ourselves—to declare before God that we know it’s all about Him, not about us. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
- Jesus fasted (Matthew 4:1-4). Fasting is one way we follow Jesus.
Tell me more.
- Jesus assumes you will fast. Jesus promoted fasting to His disciples when He said in Matthew 6:16 “when you fast . . . the Lord will reward you in secret.” Interestingly, He didn’t say “if” you fast—He assumes we will fast.
- In one sense, fasting is a very personal way to offer praise to God and be in extended communion with Him. In another sense, fasting is a very communal activity. When we fast together for a common purpose with our friends, family, or church, it’s especially powerful.
- Fasting is for everybody: children, adults; busy working people, retired people; stay-at-home moms, students . . . Even those with health issues can fast. Everyone can fast from something for some length of time.
There are different ways to fast.
- The simplest kind of fast is to give up food and drink only water for a certain period of time.
Here are some other ways to fast: - Abstain from food, but drink only water and fruit juice.
- Do a “Daniel fast,” where you abstain from meat and “pleasant foods”—dairy, desserts, soda, etc.
- (See Daniel 10: 2-3, where he describes this kind of fast.)
- Fast from desserts, junk food, or some other type of food you really enjoy.
- If you have health issues and cannot fast from any kind of food, you could choose to fast from TV or social media. The point of this kind of fast is to take all the time you’d spend doing these things and spend it instead with God.
How long should I fast?
If you’ve never fasted before, you might start by giving up one meal for one day. Or you could give up one type of food or drink (Diet Coke or desserts, for example) for the entire fast. As you grow in the discipline of fasting over time, you will be able to work up to fasting for days at a time, or maybe fasting from lunch or dinner each day.
If you have fasted before, make it your goal for this church-wide fast to somehow intensify your fast, either in duration or substance. Ask God how long He wants you to fast, and what He wants you to fast from.
Fasting tips
- Here’s what Jesus said: “When you fast, don’t make a production out of it like the hypocrites do. Shampoo and comb your hair; brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.” – (Matthew 6: 16-18, The Message and TNIV).
- If you take medications or have health concerns, check with your doctor before you fast.
- Have a plan prior to starting your fast. When will you fast? From what will you fast? Why are you fasting? Write down your plan.
- Don’t think of fasting as a way to get extra “points” with God. You don’t have to earn His love.
- You will find yourself getting tired more quickly during a fast. Get extra sleep and rest. Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine. Don’t stop getting exercise, but listen to your body and adjust accordingly. Carry around gum or mints—many people have bad breath when they’re fasting.
- You will lose weight during a fast; however, this shouldn’t be your motive for fasting. The purpose is to grow spiritually during the time set aside for fasting.
- Break your fast slowly. After fasting, eat a small piece of fruit or have a glass of milk. The longer your fast, the more gradually you’ll want to work back up to your normal eating patterns.
What happens when I fast?
- When you fast from meals, you will find that you have extra time! Use that time for extended prayer, listening to God, reading the Bible, and resting in God’s presence.
- The Holy Spirit guides us when we fast. The disciples found direction through fasting. Acts 13:2 says “while they were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit directed them . . .”
- God rewards those who seek Him. God gives us an invitation with a promise in Hebrews 11:6b – “the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Fasting with prayer brings us the greatest reward: His presence in our lives
- Hunger pangs of fasting are a great reminder that God satisfies all our hungers.
- Fasting will make your “spiritual ears” more acute—you’ll be able to better hear from God.
- Fasting enables your spirit to be yielded to God’s will. It’s a concrete way to say, “Not my will, but yours, God!”
- Fasting renews your spiritual vision and strengthens your faith.
- Fasting brings power! Said Bill Bright, “Fasting and prayer is a powerful means for causing the fire of God to fall again in a person’s life. This fire produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—but especially the fruit of righteousness and spiritual power over the lusts of the flesh and the lies of the enemy of our souls.”
- When you fast, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence. You will be spiritually, physically, and mentally refreshed!
More resources
Here’s a message Pastor Mark preached a few years ago: How to Fast
Pastor Marion recommends this book on Christian fasting: Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough