Christian fasting has everything to do with food and nothing to do with food. When God's people fast, it uniquely impacts body, soul, and spirit.

Undoubtedly, a practice of regular fasting and prayer can be life-changing, unlocking the door to personal transformation, spiritual growth, and a deeper connection with God. I know it from personal experience and countless testimonies from others.

On this page, you'll find easy-to-follow suggestions to help you pursue a powerful practice of prayer and fasting and learn about starting a fast from start to finish.

The Importance of Fasting and Prayer in Christianity

Fasting and prayer are essential Bible-based disciplines that have shaped the lives of believers throughout the centuries and across the globe. Biblical fasting helps us draw closer to God.

We empty ourselves, turn from our worldly nature, and focus on the eternal, heavenly kingdom. Although it may sound overwhelming, we rely on the Lord's strength to make it through–not our own!

Our fasts are an act of humble obedience. We may have a divine visit or spiritual breakthrough, but ultimately, we aren't chasing a "spiritual high." The purpose is cultivating our relationship with the Lord.

However, you are certain to be Holy Spirit refreshed when you fast. Many will tell you the combo of fasting and prayer is like a spiritual atomic bomb, providing breakthrough and powerful personal transformation.

Jesus encouraged His followers not to put on a sad face like the hypocrites when they fast. He said that our Father sees our fasting in secret and will reward us. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Why We Fast

• Biblical foundations: Fasting was an expected spiritual discipline in both the Old and New Testaments, encouraging God's people to sincerely humble themselves and seek God.

• Biblical examples: Moses and Jesus fasted for 40 days. Other biblical fasters include David, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel, the apostles, and others. Check out this post for a list of over 52 examples of fasting in God's Word.

• Power of Prayer and Fasting: This spiritual practice is powerful because it leads you to great dependence on the Lord. A fast can also lead to spiritual renewal, healing, clarity, direction, and repentance. Revival power depends on a people fully submitted to the Lord, who will give God all the glory!

Different Types of Fasts for Spiritual Growth

When you think biblical fasting, you may think of abstaining from all food and drink for a set period. However, there are many different types of fasting that can be beneficial for spiritual growth. Here are a few examples:

• Absolute fasts

• Complete fasts

• Intermittent fasts

• Partial fasts

• Daniel fasts

We'll reap maximum spiritual benefit when we fast properly: according to God's Word and with the right intention and focus. Whether you’re a seasoned faster or have only practiced fasting from bedtime to waking up, these options can help you grow closer to Jesus Christ and strengthen your faith.

Absolute Fast

An absolute fast is a rare type of fast mentioned a few times in the Bible, where no solid food and no liquids are consumed for a short, yet meaningful period.

The book of Esther records the practice of an absolute fast, a period of three days and three nights without eating or drinking, according to Esther 4:16. Moses also fasted forty days and nights without food as he was in the presence of God on Mt Sinai receiving the law. (Exodus 34:28)

It's crucial to spiritually and physically prepare yourself for an absolute fast. This includes eating light meals in the preceding days and keeping yourself well-hydrated. It's also vital to consult with a medical professional before you begin, to ensure the fast won't harm your health or safety.

An absolute fast is a serious commitment and should only be undertaken for a short period of time, under a physician's supervision, and if you feel a clear calling from the Lord to do so.

Complete Fast or Normal Fast

A complete or normal fast involves abstaining from all solid foods. You will still drink water. This type of fast is a great way to reset your spirit and boost your overall health and is the most common type of fast in the Bible.

If you're new to fasting, consider starting with short periods of fasting from solid foods. It can be just one meal a day. Then, you can gradually build up your spiritual fasting muscles and endurance for abstaining from food for longer periods.

Intermittent Fast

Intermittent fasting (also called time-restricted eating) is a popular eating pattern with the general population for physical health benefits, which include:

• Weight loss

• Improved digestion

• Reduced inflammation

• Increased energy levels

• Improved cardiovascular health

You can also use this model for the Christian spiritual discipline of fasting, restricting the number of daily meals or windows of time you eat. Read more about the differences between Intermittent Fasting and Christian fasting.

Partial Fast

Partial fasting is an accessible way to start fasting when you're brand new to the practice or have health limitations preventing you from other types of fasting. Partial fasts can last anywhere from an entire day to weeks—maybe forty days.

You could restrict the amount you eat or times (as in intermittent fasting). But the most common practice is abstaining from specific food groups. Common restrictions include alcohol, caffeine, desserts, processed foods, meats, and animal products.

This isn't easy! Facing your cravings is a natural battle, and you may experience fleeting hunger pains, temporary mental discomforts, and temptations. If you're struggling, be sure you aren't treating your fast as simply as a diet or meal plan. Keep your focus on god and fill yourself spiritually.

Daniel Fast

Daniel Fasts have become increasingly popular among Christians over the past few decades. Based on Daniel 1:8-16, this fast involves abstaining from all alcohol, sweets and desserts, processed foods, meat and animal products, and consuming only plant-based foods. Read more about how to start a Daniel Fast.

Liquid Fast

Now, on to the liquid fast. In this type of fasting, you abstain from solid food but consume liquids such as smoothies, fruit juices, and pureed soups. Some may also include raw salad. It's best to prepare your liquid meals at home and be mindful of how many sugary foods are included in your smoothies and fruit juices.

Length of Your Fast

Whatever type of fast you choose, the same principles apply regarding the length.

• Start slow and increase the length of your fasts gradually.

• Pray and follow the Lord's command for how long to fast.

• God's Word mentions fasts of 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 10 days, 21 days, and forty days; you don't have to choose one of these lengths, but they are biblical precedents.

If you're not ready to dive into such a long fast, simply start where you are and do what you can. Even one meal! Have faith that the Lord will lead you as a gentle shepherd, and your capacity will expand as you practice.

Preparing for Biblical Fasting and Prayer

Christian fasting isn't just about the physical benefits of limiting food. Your fast will be spiritually rewarding if you align with the biblical truths of why we fast.

In addition, devote time to your relationship with the Lord daily.

It doesn't have to be hours on end of intercessory prayer, but you do need to be intentional and focused, however long that time period may be. Here are some tips.

Spiritual Preparation

• Before you fast, pray and examine your heart.

• Take a posture of humility, surrender, and repentance. Acknowledge your brokenness and turn away from your wrongdoings, creating an open and honest space for spiritual growth and accept God’s forgiveness.

• Set spiritual intentions for the fast, such as cultivating the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23), increasing your compassion for others, growing in your relationship to Jesus Christ.

• Commit to studying the Word of God.

Physical Preparation

• Consult with your doctor if you have any medical conditions (and remember that fasting is not advised for those who are pregnant, have a history of eating disorders, or are chronically underweight).

• Before fasting, gradually decrease your caffeine intake until it's zero.

• Reduce the sizes of your meals and foods you'll be fasting from.

• Drink plenty of water, eight 8-ounce glasses is a minimum.

• Get lots of rest before and during your fast to care for your body.

• Continuing moderate physical activity, like taking a short prayer walk daily, is very beneficial as you fast.

Practical Steps

• Choose a time when your schedule is flexible, if possible.

• Inform close friends or family members about your plans.

• If doing a liquid or partial fast, plan your meals and go shopping ahead of time.

• Schedule dedicated time for prayer and reflection.

• Consider joining a fasting group or enlisting prayer partners.

These steps will help you stay accountable, focused, and committed to your spiritual journey.

How to Maintain Spiritual Focus During Christian Fasting

Spiritual focus is essential for you to stay strong as you fast and pray! Here are some keys to managing physical cravings, conquering spiritual resistance, and carving out time to be with God for a spiritually rewarding experience.

Handling Physical Temptations

You may experience hunger pangs, cravings for food, and feelings of weakness when you fast. However, these temptations can be conquered with perseverance and the Word of God, just like Jesus overcame the enemy in the wilderness after He fasted.

Some tips:

• Hunger pangs come in waves and subside; they will not increase indefinitely, so encourage yourself to persevere through temporary physical discomforts.

• When cravings come, try to distract yourself from mental discomforts and focus on worship, prayer, and Scripture. You could take a walk, play a game with your kids, or get involved with a craft.

• Drink plenty of water (I cannot reiterate this enough).

• Remember that your hunger and cravings are part of the point of fasting —they remind us to turn to God for support.

• Invite God to help you through these difficult moments.

Overcoming Spiritual Opposition

Whenever I have fasted, the Holy Spirit gave guidance and direction to support me. Spiritual opposition may arise as you fast. Don't underestimate spiritual opposition—the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy, but he usually does so subtly. He will use fear, offense, and discouragement to plant doubts in our minds and separate us from the Lord.

Remember 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

The Bible records how the enemy came to Jesus after he fasted with three main temptations in Matthew 4:3-10; they also relate to 1 John 2:16.

The 3 Temptations:

• To turn stones into bread: symbolizing the lust of the flesh and a temptation for immediate gratification and satisfying physical desires at the expense of spiritual well-being.

• To jump from the pinnacle of the temple: symbolizing the pride of life, a desire for power and prestige, and testing God to bend the rules according to our whims.

• To bow down and worship him: symbolizing the lust of the eyes and temptation for worldly success, privilege, and shortcut from God's plan.

How to overcome the enemy:

• Use the Word of God in context and with understanding, just like Jesus did.

• Be vigilant in prayer, not just praying in the morning but throughout the day.

• Consistently meditate on Scripture so you will be full of the truth.

• Surround yourself in a positive atmosphere of worship and the Word, and remove yourself from toxic environments where life's pressures tempt you to turn away from God. This might require abstaining from social media and other forms of entertainment.

• Connect with supportive believers and prayer partners.

Don't underestimate spiritual opposition, but be confident you have the victory! Remember, God is on your side, and with His Word as your weapon, you've already one. So, be courageous and expect great things from your time of fasting—greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world! (1 John 4:4)

When Are You Seeking God

As you fast, set aside regular reflection times for prayer, worship, and meditating on Scripture. Create a schedule that works for you, and remember that you don't have to do everything all at once or for a lengthy period of time.

Meeting with God for shorter periods throughout the day is sometimes (not always) more beneficial than one long devotional time in the morning. Everyone is unique, so don't feel pressured or compare yourself with others; find what works best for you.

Remember, the ultimate motive in fasting should be to glorify God with a sense of joy and fulfillment, not to fulfill an obligation. When you seek God's face and not just His hand, you'll have a healthy relationship.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Fasting and Prayer

The Holy Spirit is a crucial partner in fasting and prayer, guiding and empowering you in seeking God’s will. With the Holy Spirit, we can:

• Overcome challenges

• Experience spiritual growth

• Deepen our relationship with God

• Receive clarity and direction

• Find healing and restoration

The degree to which we are obedient as the Holy Spirit leads, guides, teaches and corrects impacts how fast we grow in spiritual maturity. Spiritual insights can occur as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work during fasting and prayer—it's not about our willpower but HIS power.

Safely Ending Your Fast and Reflecting on the Experience

Upon completing your fasting and prayer journey, it’s important to conclude your fast safely and take time to reflect on the experience. Reflecting on your experience ensures the spiritual breakthroughs you’ve experienced are lasting and meaningful.

Breaking the Fast Carefully

Hurray, you've made it to the end of your fast! Hopefully, you feel physically refreshed. But your first thought is probably: what am I going to eat that I've been missing most?

Start with easily digestible foods to break your fast properly, and pay attention to your body’s signals. If you've been on a water-only or liquid fast, or fasting for an extended period of time, you should be more cautious and gradual in reintroducing solid food. End your fast gradually, starting with:

• Broths and soups

• Fresh fruit and vegetables

• Small amounts of fish, lean meat, or eggs

• Avoid high-fat and high-sugar processed foods

Has fasting brought a physical blessing? Maybe you don't want to return to your normal diet but instead, continue some of your current eating habits for better long-term health and energy.

Reflecting on Spiritual Growth

After success fasting (or even if unsuccessful), reflect on the experience and spiritual growth. This can be done through journaling, prayer, and talking with a trusted friend or mentor to gain further insight. Continue to seek God's face and thank Him for everything.

Summary

We are excited about the renewed interest in fasting and prayer that's emerging. The Holy Spirit calls us to these disciplines, and we believe it's a sign of the coming spiritual awakening and the greatest spiritual harvest the world has ever seen. God bless you as you fast—a great spiritual awakening awaits you!