Biblical Fasting Made Simple: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
We’re excited to invite you into our first corporate fast of the year (4/9-4/11)! Whether you’re fasting for the very first time or looking to deepen the spiritual impact of your fast, we’ve created this guide to help you explore what Scripture says about fasting and to equip you with practical steps for success.
It is our hope that you develop a clear vision for your fasting and plan a successful strategy that ends in victory for you and your family this week!
As a reminder, the fast begins midnight, Tuesday, April 8th, and ends Friday, April 11th at 6PM. As a result we will be fasting three days from midnight until 6PM, where we will conclude each day with one meal of your choice and non-alcoholic beverages of your choosing. A light snack before bedtime is permitted, just try to exercise moderation.
Need Help Getting Started?
Scroll to the bottom of this guide for helpful tips, spiritual insights, and practical recommendations to strengthen your fast.
Why do we fast?
To receive God’s direction and protection.
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” Ezra 8:21 KJV
To practice humility and deal with pride.
“Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.” Psalms 35:13 NLT
To repent, confess and find clarity for our sins.
“On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:1-3 NLT
To get rid of unbelief and freedom from demonic oppression.
“And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:28-29 KJV
“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21 KJV
To receive salvation from bondage, including bad health.
To increase righteous decision making.
To increase God’s protection.
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.” Isaiah 58:8 NLT
To assist with the grieving process
“They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.” 2 Samuel 1:12 NLT
To worship God
“Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.” Luke 2:37 NLT
How should we fast?
By abstaining from food and drink, whatever the period of time.
“Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.” Luke 2:37 NLT
Replace your meal with (reading) the word of God and prayer.
“But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NLT
Liberate others who we have under our control.
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.” Isaiah 58:6 NLT
Increase our giving to those less fortunate and make ourselves available to support our family members.
“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” Isaiah 58:7 NLT
In private, between us and God alone.
“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 6:18 NLT
Abstain from intimacy, if possible and permitted by your spouse.
“Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to (fasting and) prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” 1 Corinthians 7:5 NLT
General Tips and Recommendations
Write a vision or focus for each day. Otherwise, a fast without purpose is starvation.
If this is your first fast ever, drink water throughout the day. Your breath may need to be refreshed, so carry a tooth brush or mouth rinse with you to assist at times when you’ll be speaking in public. Try to abstain from gum or excessive mints as this is technically eating and gum will increase your appetite.
During times when you would normally be eating (breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner), read your Bible and pray to the length of time you feel spiritually satisfied.
Eating is often a habit. Therefore, it’s possible to accidentally break your fast without realizing it. If this happens, don’t quit. Ask forgiveness and strength, and move forward in God’s grace.
Limit secular influences that modify your focus or thinking (social media, secular music, unfruitful conversations, world news beyond weather and important local updates, etc).
Plan ahead to avoid random lunch invitations.
Please consult your doctor if you have an existing chronic illness or prescription that requires specific dietary requirements.
At the time of this publication, we are fasting from midnight until 6PM. At the conclusion of your fast, offer God a prayer of grace and thanksgiving before enjoying your meal.
It is possible and common to feel extremely hungry, cranky, nauseous, headaches, or weak while fasting. These feelings are normal and should typically subside as your day progresses. However, please exercise wisdom and extreme caution if you notice that these symptoms threaten your safety or the safety of others around you.
Fasting is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Scripture or Biblical history does not support such a practice. If you are pregnant or nursing, feel free to participate by abstaining from secular influences and constant prayer.
Children and teens should not fast from food without parental guidance and communication with your school. Especially, those involved in extracurricular activities. Children and teens should participate by limiting secular influences and increase their Bible reading.
If you are abstaining from sex during the fast, make sure that it’s mutually agreed upon.
If you are fasting for dietary reasons as in to lose weight, please reconsider and revisit spiritual reasons for fasting as outlined in this guide.
Let’s seek God together in unity and expectation!