Fasting
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Deuteronomy 8:3, 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” —Matthew 4:1-4
When we fast, we
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” —Matthew 4:5-7
When we fast, we
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” —Matthew 4:8-11
When we fast, we stop placing
Fasting Tips:
1 Determine the reason (WHY) for fasting.
- You need to have a cause or reason, or you will give in. Is it Spiritual renewal? Guidance? Healing? Discernment? Kids?
2 Determine your commitment and write down what you’re doing.
There is something that psychologically happens when we write down our goals. People that write down their goals are almost twice as likely to accomplish them!
Write down:
- The reason (the why behind your fast).
- How long it will last? (1 meal, one day, one meal a day, X hours a day, 21 days)
- How do you hope to see God through this fast?
- What physical or social activities you will restrict?
- Write down the commitment to replace the time you were doing the thing you’re giving up with time with God praying, reading your Bible, serving, etc.
3 Prepare Spiritually
- Fasting helps us release strongholds in our lives. Write down those strongholds or sins you want to break. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
- Accept God’s forgiveness of those sins (1 John 1:9)
- Surrender your life fully to Jesus (Romans 12:1-2)
- Pray & read your Bible.
4 Prepare Physically
- If doing a food fast make sure to consult your physician first. Never fast prescriptions without talking with a doctor. Some people cannot fast without medical supervision.
- If fasting food, before the fast start eating smaller portions. Avoid high fat and sugary foods. Eat more raw fruit and vegetables the two days before you start fasting.
- Turn off the things that hinder you connecting with God.
- Once fasting limit exercise and rest more.
- Prepare for headaches, crankiness, anxiety, hunger pains, dizziness, caffeine and sugar withdrawals, etc. Increasing liquid intake can help with many pains.
5 Begin Fasting
- Replace the time you spent doing the thing you gave up with praying, reading your Bible, serving, etc.
- Re-visit your commitments as often as you need to remember why you are fasting.
- Fill the void you feel with God.
- The first 2-3 days are the hardest! Push through!
- Begin each day in praise and worship. Set the tone for your day; don’t let your body set the tone.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you.
- Invite God to change you. Ask God to show you how you can impact your community, your family, your church, etc.
- Pray for Jesus to give you His vision for your life and the power to live it.
5 Ending the fast
- Longer fasts need to end gradually. Do not go from no food to White Castle or you will get sick. Do not go from no TV to an all-day TV marathon.
- End the fast celebrating what God has done in your life through the fast. If your prayers have not been answered, maybe it is not time to end your fast.
Fasting Examples:
Christian Book stores have numerous fasting plans / books you can buy if you need help.
Water Only / Nothing: Eat and drink nothing or water only for a period of time. This could mean you give up lunches for a week. It could mean going to water only for a day or more.
Daniel Fast: Eat only fruits, vegetables, nuts/grains.
Juice Fast: Drinking juices only
Screen Fast: Fast all screens when not needed for work/school. No TV, computer, tablet, phone, games, etc.
Parenting Fast: Fast one day per child. Pray for them, their spouse, children, future, job, etc.
1 Meal Fast: Fast one meal a day for a period of time.
1 Day Fast: Fast all food / drinks except for water, for one day.
Sugar Fast: Fast all sugars. This means no processed foods with sugars or drinks with sugar.
Relationship Fast: Dedicate a period of your life to focus on God and not the opposite sex.
Book Fast: Read only the Bible for a period and no other books.
Diabetic Fast: Actually follow your diabetic diet.