F A S T I N G G U I D E

WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING?

Biblical fasting involves abstaining from food and replacing it with prayer. Here are a few of the occasions for fasting we see in God’sWord.

Fasting teaches us that God’s Word nourishes us. Matthew 4:1–4 records the only example of Jesus fasting before being tempted in the wilderness. He faced temptation with these words, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3–5, which talks about the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness, depending daily on manna to sustain them. He says that God humbled them and let them be hungry to teach them to rely on God’s Word to support them. By His example of fasting, Jesus reminds us that food alone cannot sustain us. We need to be nourished by God’s Word.

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In a time of fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to send out Paul and Barnabas for the work of the ministry. It is in fasting God calls us into ministry (Acts 13:1–3).

In Esther 4:14, God used a fast to deliver the Jewish people who were about to be killed. If you need deliverance from addiction or stronghold in your life, it is time to fast.

We fast for healing in our bodies (Isaiah 58:8).

In Jonah 3:5–7, the people of Nineveh fasted for mercy and salvation from God. We fast for our neighbors and family members to know Christ.

Daniel received one of the most significant revelations from God about his people and the future Messiah during a fast. We fast for a greater revelation of God and insight into our daily lives (Daniel 10:2–3).

During fasting, Cornelius and his family became the first non-Jewish people to receive salvation in Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We fast for our families, marriages, and children to grow closer to God (Acts 10:30).

Jehoshaphat was king of Judah when a vast army marched against him, and he declared a fast. God had him appoint singers and worshippers to go out ahead of the king and his army. God caused the enemy armies to go into confusion and kill one another. The people of Judah arrived on the battlefield and saw corpses as far as the eye could see. God went before them. God granted them victory through fasting. What battles are ahead that you cannot see in 2025? When we fast and pray, God goes out ahead and defeats the enemy Himself. The victory is won by his Spirit, not by our strength.

When the disciples could not cast a demon out of a boy, Jesus said this can only come with prayer and fasting. We fast and pray to defeat demonic activity (Matthew 17:21).

Jesus fasted for 40 days before ministry. Let us take the first month of 2025 to fast and pray to prepare for all that God has for us this year.

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

John 4:31–35 records Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well. When the disciples return, they encourage Jesus to eat. He responds by saying, “I have food to eat that you know not of.” Then He adds, “My food is to do the will of the Father.” Again, Jesus reminds us that food alone is not enough. We are sustained by doing God’s will.

Fasting teaches us Jesus himself sustains us. In John 6:48–50, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.” We see this pictured symbolically in the bread and the cup of the Lord’s supper. Jesus is the source of eternal life. Fasting is feasting on Jesus.

Jesus assumed that fasting would be a part of His disciple’s spiritual life. In Matthew 6:16–18, he says, “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” He warns us not to fast to impress people but to be near the heart of God.

What is the Purpose of Fasting?

Fasting intensifies our dependence on God by weakening our support for food and other things.

How does fasting do that?

Fasting teaches us that we can go without getting what we want and survive. Fasting can free us from the need to have what we want. Therefore, fasting can teach moderation or self-control, not only concerning food but also in other areas. It teaches contentment (1 Timothy 6:6).

Fasting expresses and deepens our hunger for God. Fasting reminds us that we are sustained "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Food does not sustain us; Godsustains us. In Christ, "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).

Therefore, in fasting experiences, we abstain from food or other activities and feast on God's Word.

Fasting must always, first and foremost, center on God. It must be about him.

How to Get Started on Your Fast

Step 1: Clarify the purpose of your fast.

Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your 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 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 upfront:

• How long will you 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 (See Types of Fasts section below.)

• What physical or social activities will you restrict?

• How much time each day will you 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 them.

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

Fasting is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. We must prepare. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin can hinder your prayers. There are several things you can do to prepare your heart.

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

• Do not rush into your fast; prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast, and avoid high fat and sugary foods. Eating raw fruit and vegetables before your fast is also helpful.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.

• Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3–4). Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

• Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1–2). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9–10; 103:1–8, 11–13).

• Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).

• Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16–17).

Types of Fasts

Biblical fasting almost always concerns food.

1. SELECTIVE FAST (Daniel 10:3)

You could abstain from something like bread, sweets, sodas, coffee, or even red meat. Perhaps spend some time reading through Daniel’s fast in Daniel chapter 1 and chapter 10. Stick to only fruits and vegetables or something similar. Determine the timing and duration of your fast. You may choose to go without a specific type of food only on certain days, or you may go without during the weekdays only or perhaps every day. Finally, choose the duration of Your fast. This fast is 21 days (January 5-26), but that does not mean you must go without for 21 days. Determine the timing and duration ahead of time and stick to it. Instead, pray through it.

2. PARTIAL FAST

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any food in the morning and afternoon. You can choose to correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00am to 3:00 pm or from sun-up to sundown.

3. COMPLETE FAST (Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9)

A complete fast seems to be the most prevalent of the fasts we see in the Bible. It is also the most intimidating, but refuse to let it scare you. Fasting from all food is not scary if you determine beforehand when you will do so and for how long. The complete fastis going without food and only drinking water or juice. An example could be a three-day fast, or one meal a day, or eating only dinners.

4. SOUL FAST (Daniel 6:18)

The king’s voluntary “fasting” from entertainment in the time of Daniel helps us further understand yet another fast. This fast is an excellent option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have a health condition, or wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. Fasting from entertainment (TV, social media, etc.) can be beneficial and accessible to kids and teens. Fasting entertainment can be a powerful decision, even as a supplement to food fasts.

Choosing your fasting plan is a very personal decision. We are all at different places in our walk with God, and our spirituality should never be a cause for comparison or competition. There is nothing more “inherently spiritual” about one type of fast as opposed to another. Your fast should present a level of challenge, but know your body, know your options, and most importantly, seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. It is also important to not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Fasting is a time to disconnect enough with your regular patterns and habits to connect more closely to God. If you do not choose to fast, or no matter what kind of fast you choose, seek God with us in prayer.