Learn More About Fasting

None of us can resist our delicious little indulgences, especially when it comes to food! We've got the meat munchers, the bread buffs, and the sugar seekers—everyone knows their cravings and we want it when we want it. Just ask yourself how many times each day thoughts of food zoom through your mind.

Thoughts as simple as:

What’s on today’s menu? How am I whipping it up?
Do I need to make a mad dash to the store first?
What sweet treat can I snag for dessert?
Ooh, that snack sounds scrumptious!
When can I sneak in another donut without turning into a little piglet?
What’s for dinner this weekend?

But what if ...

But what if for a period of time we forced ourselves to replace those obsessive thoughts of food with thoughts of God?
What if instead of mindlessly reaching for yet another french fry we reach for our Bible?
What if our desire for more of God overshadowed our desire for temporary physical satisfaction?

Fasting is NOT a diet, nor should it be considered a “dieting method” either. Fasting has a Spiritual Purpose. The purpose of a biblical fast is to gain deeper fellowship with God. It directs us from our hunger for food to our hunger toward God. It clears the mind and body of earthly attention and draws us closer to God.

Fasting is about discovering where your breakthrough begins!

A fast redirects us from physical things to God.
A fast reawakens what is numb (or has become numb) to the things of God.

Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

Gain spiritual clarity of thought
Hear God's voice more clearly
Demonstrate a profound need for God's help
Have complete dependence on Him
Humble ourselves

PARTICIPATING IN THE 21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Daniel Fast

Refrain from consuming animal products, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and refined or processed foods. Eat vegetables, whole grains, fruits, legumes, unleavened bread, and oils.

Try not to get too hung up on food portion of the fast. The guidelines are given to help you form boundaries, not to push you into legalism. Your fast may look a little different than someone else’s, and that’s fine. Some people may need to be stricter than others in their food choices so that their fast is a sacrifice for them. The most important part of the Daniel Fast is that you deny yourself physically so that you may seek the Lord in prayer and grow closer to Him.

Complete Fast

Involves consuming only liquids like water, fruit or vegetable juices, and sometimes clear broths, while abstaining from all solid foods. It’s a focused time for prayer and reliance on God. (Consult a doctor before starting if you have health concerns.)

Partial Fast

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

The Non-Food Option

If fasting from food is not possible for you due to health or other reasons, we encourage you to consult your doctor first. You can still participate in the fast by choosing the non-food option.

How does this work? Disconnect from social media, television, or other digital distractions to focus more on prayer and God’s Word.