INTRODUCTION

What is Fasting?

Fasting is intentionally abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It is a means of humbling your soul through as a type of spiritual sacrifice by denying our flesh its natural desires. The purpose of Fasting is to bring you into a deeper and more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord. Fasting is an act of humility before God to seek his divine intervention in the events of our physical world. It brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of our true spiritual condition, leading to brokenness, repentance, and change. Fasting transforms prayer into a richer, more personal experience and draws you closer to God.

James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Cossians 5:24 – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Fasting is Personal

Matthew 6:16-18 – ¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Fasting is between you and God and is something that we endeavour to do discreetly. It is not a contest with other fellow believers, neither is it something we do to show spiritual superiority. We fast with an attitude of grace toward ourselves and our fellow believers in Christ.

Fasting is an Act of Faith

Hebrews 11:6 – ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

As we seek the Lord through an act of fasting and prayer, we are coming to Him with an expectant heart that is motivated by our faith in Him. We are believing that the Lord will lead us into a deeper revelation and relationship with Him, and provide us with direction and divine insight into the areas we are bring before Him.

PREPARATION

How to Begin

Start with a clear goal by being specific.

Why are you fasting?

Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues?

Are you facing financial difficulties?

Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Pray daily and read the Bible.

Preparing Spiritually

Confess your sins to God

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness.

Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended
(Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4).

Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).

Deciding What to Fast

The type of fasting you choose is up to you.

NOTE: If you are Pregnant or have a medical condition, please seek medical advice before undertaking a Fast, particularly full or partial type fasts.

Determine the type of fast you wish to do and for how long, and remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.

You may decide to switch fast during the 21-day period.

Deciding How Long

You may fast as long as you like.

Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days.

Use wisdom and pray for guidance.

Beginners are advised to start slow.

TYPE OF FASTING

FULL FAST

Abstaining from all Food and Drink except for WATER and/or LIGHT JUICES

PARTIAL OR INTERMITTENT FAST

Abstaining from Eating at certain time of the Day.

You may decide to eat only between a certain time, for example between 8am and 2 pm.

You may decide to eat only one meal in the day and exclude snacks in between.

SOUL FAST

Abstaining from certain areas of your life that are perhaps out of balance, or you have decided to give up for the purpose of prayer.

e.g. Social Media, Gaming,
Video-on-Demand

SELECTIVE FAST

Removing a specific element from your diet. A good example is the Daniel fast excludes meat and other choice foods, such as bread and perhaps dairy.