If you would like to fast during a time of prayer, we encourage you to do so. The following resources may be helpful in this consideration.
 

 

Fasting

What Is fasting?

Fasting is denying yourself something for a period of time for spiritual reasons. Generally, it involves giving up foods. However, it is also possible to fast from social media, entertainment, sweets, activities, or more. Anything that you would potentially miss is “fastable.”

 

A few reasons to consider a season of fasting:

  • The primary purpose is setting a time apart to intentionally seek God and allow him to be your primary source of sustenance.
  • An intentional time of fasting and prayer has the potential to change us so that we are less distracted, less caught up in earthly things, and more ready to be with our God.
  • Fasting is a spiritual practice we see in both the Old and New Testament. For example, Moses fasted for at least two recorded 40-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast. He said, “When you fast,” not, “If you fast” (Matthew 6:16).
  • Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience and can result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
  • Fasting and prayer can give us an opportunity to exercise self-control and focus on keeping our flesh subject to us and not the other way around.
  • Fasting can be a way to truly humble yourself before God. King David said, “I … humbled myself with fasting” (Psalm 35:13).
  • Fasting can enable us to hear God more clearly by shutting out the distractions.
  • Fasting can help us to see more clearly what God is doing and our role in that partnership.

Types of fasts

Complete fast- A complete fast means drinking only water or sometimes juice when fasting for an extended period. Juice fasts will provide you with more energy than water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid, chewable food.

Partial /selective fast-A selective fast is removing certain food from your diet.  For example, eliminating meats, eliminating sweets, or eating only bland foods.  The most common type of selective fast is called a “Daniel Fast.” This is described in the book of Daniel. For three weeks, Daniel, who was a prophet during a time when Israel lived in exile, abstained from “delicacies” and ate only fruits and vegetables.

Other fasts-  God may call you to abstain from non-food items such as social media, internet, activities, or entertainment.

 

Helpful tips when fasting from food

  • Drink plenty of water/liquids
  • Avoid a big meal immediately BEFORE or AFTER.
  • Limit or avoid caffeine.
  • Always be willing to cut a fast short if it becomes medically      necessary.
 
Fasting should be closely related to prayer and reading of the Word.
 During a fast, it is good to spend extra time in prayer and reading God’s word. Again, the primary purpose of a fast is to intentionally seek God’s presence and allow him to be your primary source of sustenance.
 
 
 
If you would like more information and tips on fasting, you may find these articles from cru.org to be helpful: