fasting basics
Prayer and fasting are powerful ways to grow deeper in your walk with God. Fasting is designed to deepen our dependence on God by weakening our dependence on other things. In essence, fasting reveals the things that control us. Ask yourself, What am I allowing to come between me and God’s presence?
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting is to voluntarily abstain from eating/drinking for an extended period of time. “Eating” and “drinking” can represent anything that is holding you back. What do you “consume” in terms of social food, intellectual food, spiritual food, and emotional food? Are these things distracting you from your relationship with God? Are you relying on things that have nothing to do with God to get you through your day? You may not even realize you have an addiction. For example, if you “have to have” coffee every day, and you are not willing to give it up, you are addicted. Maybe your fast needs to just be about coffee. Ask God and He will show you. The point is that there is something God wants you to separate yourself from for three weeks so that you can see Him more clearly.
Everyone doing a physical fast should consult a physician first. If you have medical issues, consider fasting from TV or media.
Make it stand out.
PUPRPOSE:
Why are you fasting?
You may experience many benefits from fasting (cleansing your body, breaking addictions, 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 (such as food). You may see that life is all about Him.
Other examples of biblical fasting
Special revelation - Exodus 34:27-28
In times of war - Judges 20:26
Courage and wisdom - Esther 4:3,16
In times of grief - Nehemiah 1:4, 2 Samuel 1:12, Samuel 31:13, 1 Chronicles 10:12
Spiritual recuperation - 1 Kings 19:1-9
Mourning - Daniel 10:1-3
Repentance - Jonah 3:5, Daniel 6:18
Ministry preparation - Matthew 4:2
Spiritual power - Mark 9:29
Ministry commissioning - Acts 14:23
Spiritual discipline - 1 Corinthians 11:24-28 (Paul “fasted often”)
PLAN:
What type of fast will you do?
TYPES OF FASTS
Complete Fast
Drinking only liquids, typically water and/or light juices.
Broth or soup may be included as options.
Selective Fast
Removing certain elements from your diet.
The Daniel Fast – abstaining from meat, sweets, or bread; drink water and juice, and eat
a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Partial Fast (a.k.a. The Jewish Fast)
Abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon.
Fast during specific times of the day, e.g. 6AM-3PM, or from sun up to sun down.
Soul Fast (Great for kids/teenagers)
Common for anyone new to fasting; those with health issues that prevent them from
fasting food; those wanting to refocus specific areas of life that are out of balance.
Suggestions: abstain from engaging in social media, shopping, watching television, etc.
PREPARE:
What things do you need to surrender to God?
Your heart:
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Be willing to hear what God says needs to change, and be willing to change. Pray and read His Word.
Your mind:
When you eliminate things that are keeping you from focusing on God, He is able to show you things about your life that you never knew. Create a plan and commit to spending more time with the Lord. Who knows, maybe He wants to bestow gifts such as wisdom, anointing, prayer power, healing, power, joy, or encouragement.
Your body:
Fasting (from food) will result in cleansing of your physical body. You may feel sick as your body detoxes, but you’ll make it! This isn’t to see if you can survive eating less, but about experiencing God.