Fasting Goals

A Personal Encounter with our Loving God

He must increase and (we) must decrease – John 3:30

Be ye holy, for I am holy – 1 Peter 1:16

You may experience many benefits from fasting (cleansing your body, breaking addiction, etc.) but the goal of fasting is to experience God. Right now your life may be all about you, what you want and when you want it. Imagine if you separate yourself from your perceived needs…you may see that life is all about him.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is essentially giving up food (or something else) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God. While fasting, many people read the Bible, pray, or worship. Fasting is found throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, over fifty times!

In her blog, Gospel Taboo, Amanda Edmondson writes, “Biblically, fasting is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament it was often a way of expressing grief or a means of humbling one’s self before the Lord. In Psalm 35:13, David humbled himself with fasting. In the New Testament it was a means to grow closer to God through mediating and focusing on Him. In Matthew 4:1-2, Jesus went to the wilderness to fast for 40 days. In Matthew 6:16-18 we learn that we aren’t to look somber while fasting so that it’s not obvious to others when we are fasting. Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together. In Acts 13:3, ‘they had fasted and prayed.’ In Luke 2:37 a widow worshiped day and night fasting and praying.”

Following the example of Jesus and the Early Church believers, we too can draw near to God while fasting.

What Does Fasting Do for Our Spiritual Life?

In their Crosswalk.com blog on the subject, Suzanne Niles and Wendy Simpson Little give 5 Ways Fasting Can Change Your Life:

1. Fasting and prayer can help us hear from God.
2. Fasting and prayer can reveal our hidden sin.
3. Fasting and prayer can strengthen intimacy with God.
4. Fasting and prayer can teach us to pray with right motives.
5. Fasting and prayer can build our faith.

Not only does fasting and prayer help us focus on God, but through that time, it brings us closer to Him and changes our hearts.

What Does Fasting Do for Our Church Life?

Fasting and prayer aligns the entire church to being one in spirit and one in purpose and that is to know and experience God in an intentional way. Corporate fasting brings the entire church body in unity and a strong awareness of our need for dependence upon God. It intensifies our deep hunger for His presence in our church life. As we look into 2021 believing God for great things in our church and community, fasting together releases unity and clarity of vision in our church body to step into everything God has called us for.

Fasting from Food

In his article, What Christians Need to Know about Fasting, Sam Storms talks about the different ways Christians fast from food or drink:

There is a regular fast which consists of abstaining from all food and drink except for water (Matthew 4:2–3; Luke 4:2). Apart from supernatural enablement, the body can function only three days without water.

A partial fast is when one abstains from some particular kind of food as in the case of Daniel while in Babylon (Daniel 10:3; cf. 1:8, 12).

As noted above, a liquid fast means that you abstain only from solid foods. Again, most who choose this path are sustained by fruit juices and the like.

A complete or absolute fast that entails no food or liquid of any kind (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9) should only be for a very short period of time. For anything longer than three to five days, seek medical advice.

There is also what can only be called a supernatural fast, as in the case of Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9), who abstained from both food and water for forty days (enabled to do so only by a miraculous enabling from God).

You may also wish to fast from all food for only a particular meal each day. In other words, you may choose to skip lunch for a day or two or a week, or dinner, or even breakfast. All such forms of partial fasting are entirely appropriate.

What You Need to Know about Fasting from Food and Drink

“…a progression should be observed in your fasting, especially if this discipline is new to you and you are unfamiliar with its physical effects. Don’t start out with a weeklong water fast! Begin by skipping one meal each day for two to three days and setting aside the money it would have cost to give to the poor. Spend the time praying that you would have used for eating.”

“If you’ve never fasted before, be aware that in the early stages you may get dizzy and have headaches. This is part of the body’s cleansing process and will pass with time. Be sure that you break the fast gradually with fresh fruit and vegetables. Do not overeat after the fast. 

When starting your fast, consider possible dietary restrictions. Pastor Brian Croft writes, “Be mindful of any health issues that could make a fast unwise. For example, if you are a diabetic or have any other physical condition that requires a strict diet, be especially mindful not to put yourself in a compromised position as a result of a fast.”

“I also discourage the idea of fasting for those who struggle with eating disorders that are making intake of food a challenge and concern in their daily living. The point of the fast is to combine it with a more intense, focused time of prayer that brings a greater communion with God, a greater empowerment of the Spirit, and a greater earnestness in your soul.”

What are Other Types of Fasting?

The most common type of fast is fasting from food for a period of time, but are there other types?

TV/Movie Fast

You can take a break from a weekly favorite and use the time to pray or read the Bible. Is there a small group at church that you’ve thought about joining but it’s during the time your show is on? Do you spend your Saturday binging Netflix when you could take some time to mentor someone God has placed on your heart? This is also a good time to evaluate how much of your time is spent watching TV and whether you need to cut back to make time for other priorities.

Social Media Fast 

This is becoming one of the more common fasts in our culture. Do you need to take some time away from the noise and refresh? Log out of your accounts, delete them from your device for a period of time, and just spend that time being present with God. Pray and listen. Spend some time in nature soaking in His beauty. Spend some time alone worshipping God.

Secular Music Fast

Instead of listening to Top Hits on the radio, you can choose to listen to the Christian radio station for a period of time. Pop in a CD of your favorite worship leader when you’re driving to work. Listen to a Christian podcast or audiobook. You can even turn the stereo off completely and spend that time in prayer. You’ll be amazed what this little change will do for your life. 

Fast from Going Out

Take a look at your calendar and pick a night when you’d usually go out and spend the time instead diving into Scripture. Maybe there’s a book of the Bible you’ve always wanted to read but didn’t have time. Perhaps you want to pray through the Psalms. Is there a person in the Bible you’d like to know more about? Give this time to God and let Him show you the great treasures of His Word!

Fasting Life-Hacks

In her article, 10 Tips for Successful Fasting, Lori Hatcher shares practical tips on fasting and praying:

1. Fast from dinner to dinner.
2. Consider an alternate fast.
3. Drink water constantly. 
4. Drink herbal tea with a little sweetener.
5. Set a timer on your phone to cue you.
6. Use a prayer guide for focus and direction.
7. Choose a day when you’re likely to have more “mental space.”
8. Be open to prayer “tangents.” When God reminds you to pray for someone or something else.
9. Use your hunger or cravings as prompts to pray.
10. Expect spiritual and physical opposition. The enemy hates every moment you set aside for God. He will do everything to stop you, distract you and even destroy you by the circumstances that can happen in these two weeks, by getting you in conflict with people around you. The point is, Choose not to give in to his tactics.

Fasting Preparation

Prepare your Heart

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God appeared to Solomon and explains that if His people are going through a hard time, they should seek Him and follow His ways. Then, He will hear their prayers and heal them. Be willing to hear what God says needs to change, and be willing to change. Don’t continue to sin. What are the paths He wants you to walk? How much does He want you to pray and read His Word? Tell God that you surrender your life to Him and that you want more of Him and His way.

Prepare your Motives

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God appeared to Solomon and explains that if His people are going through a hard time, they should seek Him and follow His ways. Then, He will hear their prayers and heal them. Be willing to hear what God says needs to change, and be willing to change. Don’t continue to sin. What are the paths He wants you to walk? How much does He want you to pray and read His Word? Tell God that you surrender your life to Him and that you want more of Him and His way.

Prepare your Body

If you decide to eat only fruits and vegetables for your fast, it will result in cleansing of your physical body. You may feel sick as your body detoxes, but you’ll make it! This isn’t a mind game to see if you can survive eating less or not watching ESPN, but about experiencing God.

Prepare your Schedule

Decide where you will meet with God, what and when you will eat, and how you will spend your time differently. Remember, the fast is about communing with God, so don’t fill your time with distractions that will keep you from feeling hungry. Create a plan and commit to spending more time with the Lord.

Fasting Guidelines:

• Explain to your family in advance what you are doing.
• Request privacy from those who find out what you are doing.
• Ask them not to discuss it with you until your fast is over.
• Never complain or brag about your fast, and avoid talking about it.
• Establish an accountability partner for prayer and encouragement.
• Stay away from negative people.
• Spend as much time as possible alone in solitude and prayer.
• Acknowledge that your flesh cannot be trained, but must be crucified. And those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
• Journal as you pray and meet with the Lord. Write down the miracles God do in your life!

The Daniel Fast

Foods To Include

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon.

All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers (an option if you are not allergic to soy).

All whole grains. Including, but not limited to, whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn. All nuts and seeds, including, but not limited to, sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also, nut butters, e.g. peanut butter and almond butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils. Including, but not limited to, olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: Spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.

Other: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices.

Foods To Avoid

All meat and animal products . Including, but not limited to, beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All dairy products. Including, but not limited to, milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners. Including, but not limited to, sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread. Including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products. Including, but not limited to, artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.