Fasting Basics
One of the most overlooked, but incredibly important spiritual disciplines is fasting.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus begins his teaching on fasting with statement: “When you fast…”
The inference in this passage is that fasting would be a normal part of a Jesus follower’s life, and that it would be a regular discipline for believers like prayer, giving and Bible reading.
Fasting has the power to break spiritual strongholds in our personal lives and the lives of others, to release healing and deliverance for those in need and to bring direction and to bring clarity for life decisions; however, fasting’s greatest benefit is that it draws us into deeper communion and relationship with God.
What is fasting?
Fasting: Abstaining from food and other activities for spiritual purposes. Fasting is a means of denying our physical appetites for greater spiritual awareness and impact.
Fasting requires discipline because it starves our appetites and brings our appetite into submission to the Holy Spirit inside of us. As we deny our flesh, our spirt becomes stronger and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
When we fast, we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and be release the supernatural through us
There is a story in Mark 9, about a boy who was possessed with an evil spirit that would not permit the boy to talk and throw him to the ground violently making him foam at the mouth. The boy was brought to Jesus’ disciples for prayer, but nothing changed. In his moment of need, the exasperated father turned to Jesus for help and here is what occurred:
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [a]and fasting.” Mark 9:25-29 NKJV
Fasting allows us to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit in a supernatural way. Many times, fasting is the only method that will bring break through, deliverance or even answered prayer.
How to Fast
Start with a time of preparation
Before beginning a fast, it is important to know what you would like to see happen. Some areas for consideration could be:
- A deeper relationship with God
- Breakthrough in an area struggle in your life – anger, addiction etc.
- Salvation for a loved one or family member
- Direction for a big decision
- Your list could have one or multiple areas
Whether you have an idea of what you will be praying about, or not, I recommend that you spend some time asking God in prayer what you should focus on. God-inspired and spirit-led fasting should be the goal each time.
After a time of prayer, determine how long you will fast or how often you will fast.
The length of the fast should be anywhere from 1 to 40 days depending on what type of fast you will be doing.
Because fasting is a discipline, it is important to start with smaller fasts to build confidence and fasting stamina. If it is your first time fasting, or if you have not fasted in awhile, I would not recommend doing a 21 Day water only fast, or something of that magnitude.
Three to seven days of a restricted diet, or 10 days of skipping one meal to pray, could be a great place to start
Select your Fast
Here are the different types of fasting:
Full Fast
No eating solid foods. Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days). Can be water only, but most will do fruit juice and/ or soup broths.
Partial Fast
A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food like sweets or coffee.
Intermittent Fast
Also, a partial fast in that one or two meals a day are skipped. It is recommended that you plan which meal(s) will be skipped each day.
The Daniel Fast
In this fast you do not eat meat, sweets and bread. You give up savory food. Instead you drink water and juice, while eating fruits, vegetables and raw nuts. A Daniel Fast typically is typically for 21 days as modeled by the prophet Daniel in Daniel 10:2-3.
Selective Fast
A fast of something other than food. This fast could include media, sports, social media, gaming or any area that would be a sacrificial for you. This type of fast is recommended for children, teenagers or those who have dietary concerns. Typically, this fast is added to other types of fasting
Seek God
When fasting, it is important to make sure that you are spending time in prayer, and/or reading the Word in the place of the meals or activities that will be sacrificed.
If you only skip meals or activities without spiritual engagement, you are on a hunger strike and not a fast.
Remember the ultimate goal of any fast is a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Celebrate Quietly
As you begin to fast and starve your flesh, you will face discomfort. The types of food restrictions you place on yourself will produce different types of discomfort:
- As the body detoxes, it will produce some unpleasant symptoms.
- Hunger pains, irritability, low energy, head aches, body aches, bad breath and feeling cold are all normal responses to fasting.
However, in approximately three to four days that process will end, and you will experience some incredible benefits:
- Hunger pains will diminish
- Thinking will become clearer
- Skin issues will begin to clear up
- Deeper sense of God’s presence
If you are not sure what symptoms are normal, or if you can do extended fasting, please consult with a healthcare professional.
As our body demands food, it is an opportunity to lean into Holy Spirit turning to God give us strength and sustenance.
We should avoid drawing attention to ourselves and the sacrifice we are making as Jesus taught in Matthew:
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[d] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18 NLT
Even though fasting can be challenging and difficult, the benefits of answered prayer, new direction and a closer relationship with Jesus are worth the sacrifice.
God bless you as you begin this journey!
Scripture References for Fasting:
Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14
Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2
Corporate Fasting:
1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37
