Fasting

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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.”

Matthew 6:17-18

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You may have never fasted before but it is Biblical (Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:1-14) and can be a beautiful way to lean into God. Fasting is deliberately abstaining from the normal routines of life. Its purpose is to spend focused time in prayer, reading God’s word and aligning our lives with His will.

Ultimately, fasting is more about replacing than abstaining. It is filling our lives with God’s Word instead of with food, social media or entertainment. It is finding satisfaction and enjoyment in God and in God alone. Fasting helps us humble ourselves before God and positions us to experience spiritual breakthroughs in our lives. There are different types of fast:

Complete Fast: In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, this could be water, juices or hot drinks. If you fast like this, make sure you drink plenty of fluids.

Selective Fast: This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example is the Daniel Fast, where you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.

Non-Food Fast: This fast is a good option if you have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast.

Whatever you decide to do, we must always remember we live under grace. There are no rules that you must obey, it’s much more about relationship, devotion and discipline than it is about getting it “right”. Below are some helpful tips for you as you consider fasting.

Helpful tips

  1. Motivation: Check that you are fasting for the right reasons; first and foremost, to spend time with God, and then to seek His blessing and breakthrough. It’s so important for us to recognise that fasting doesn’t change God. However, it does change us, removing barriers which then enables the Spirit to work more powerfully in and through us.

  2. Plan: As you prepare to fast, try to plan your diary intentionally. It's good not to be too busy when you are fasting so that you can give some set time to prayer. Try not to fill up the time you would have been fasting with work and activity, rather keep it free to intentionally seek God.

  3. Monitor: Expect to discover what you’re really like. The attitude of your heart, your pain, and your sin will come to the surface. This is unpleasant, but also really helpful in our walk with Jesus. Sometimes this is how God blesses us in fasting. What is God revealing? What needs to change?

  4. Keep going: When you start, you will begin to feel hunger pangs or discomfort. This is not real hunger - try to resist and allow the pains to trigger you instead to offer up prayers to God. Soon the pangs will pass.

  5. Wisdom: Sometimes it feels like “nothing is happening” - this is a lie. Fasting is a discipline that God has instigated; he blesses the obedient. Remember also that we are under grace, not law. If at any point you feel you need to break the fast, do so! God’s love for you won’t change and is deeper and wider than you can comprehend.

  6. Drink lots: When you deprive your body of food it’s important that you account for that and drink plenty of fluids. As well as single drinks, you might want to keep a large bottle with you to encourage you to drink more.

  7. Finish well: Decide how you will finish your fast. End with a light meal rather than heavily overeating.