For various reasons, fasting seems to be lost in the western Church. We generally do not know how to practically fast nor incorporate fasting into our common life. What follows is a practical guide on how to fast. The goal is to equip followers of Jesus to know how to fast so that they can actually do it. Fasting is a powerful spiritual practice that has the ability to draw us near to God and make more spiritual impact than most any other spiritual practice, when combined with prayer.
Fasting is all about a relationship with God. Fasting draws us near to God, humbles us before God and is used as a vehicle for spiritual birth and breakthrough. When we lose these motives in fasting, we miss the point of fasting and it becomes a lifeless ritual that leads to spiritual death. Jesus must always be at the center of our fasting, authoring our fast and deciding the outcome of our fast.
Fasting is something Jesus expects of every follower (Matthew 6:16), just like prayer (6:7) and giving (6:2). Fasting is a call from God and also a chosen practice. At times, God will call us to fast for specific purposes, including specific guidelines and parameters. And at other times, we can choose to fast in accordance to the Scriptures for many different reasons.
Pre-Fast
During the pre-fast phase, it is extremely important to examine the motives of why we are fasting. Are we called by God to this fast? Are we fasting for Scriptural reasons? Or are we fasting for selfish and self-centered purposes? These questions are extremely important to consider when fasting. If our motives are not right in this phase, it may be wise to hold off from fasting until our motives are right. Generally, we just need to be honest with God and ourselves about our impure motives, confessing our sin and waiting on God to change our hearts as we take action to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
Also, we can consider the spiritual objectives of the fast. Why are we fasting? What is the purpose of this fast? Generally, God gives us direction or a reason to fast and we are to fast along those lines. For example, God may prompt a person to fast for their church and pastoral leadership for a specific reason. Or God may call someone to fast to be prepared for a new work and grace that will soon enter her or his life. We also may choose to fast as a way of humbling ourselves before God, to break a habitual sin, to bring spiritual renewal, or for a greater desire to read Scripture or a thirst to pray. So when we fast, we need to have our spiritual objectives clear so that our fasting is directed toward the reason for the fast.
It is also wise to prepare holistically for fasting. The longer your fast will be, generally the more preparation will be required. For example, if a person is going to undertake a seven or ten day fast, it would be wise to begin to prepare a week in advance. A shorter fast, such as a 24 hour fast, usually only needs a day or two of preparation. Preparation could include eating more healthily the week before, including fruits and vegetables, grains and proteins. This will give your body the necessary nutrients to consume during the fast. Cut out junk food and caffeine, as these will hinder your body. Your body will be getting rid of all the toxins built up prior to the fast. Also, exercising before undertaking the fast is helpful for the body. Other preparation includes mental, emotional and spiritual readiness. We need to prepare our mind, heart and spirit for the ensuing fast. Good preparation leads to better fasting. Reflect and think through the fast, preparing for the effects that come with fasting.
On another note, if a person has a medical condition or an eating struggle, fasting from food is not for these people. Consult a medical doctor before fasting if you have any type of medical condition that may cause harm or damage to your body. And if you have a struggle with food, such as anorexia or bulimia, than do not fast from food. Instead, pray and ask God how you are to fast, using a different means of fasting other than food.
Lastly, choose a start date and time, as well as an end date and time. Having a predetermined start and end will help you have boundaries for your fast.
During the Fast
During your fast, when you would generally eat a meal, give yourself to prayer and the reading of Scripture. Combining prayer and Scripture with fasting is powerful. So focus your prayers toward the objective of your fast during these times. Also, practice waiting on God and listening prayer. God will most likely be speaking and working, so we need to create the space in our life for this to happen. In addition, read Scripture concerning your spiritual objectives and/or continue on your normal Scripture reading practices.
Hunger pains are a natural part of fasting. Because you are withdrawing from food, your body will have hunger pains telling you to eat. This is a great opportunity to use these pains as a prompting to pray. So instead of focusing on your hunger, use the hunger itself as a means to pray and be focused toward God during your fast.
During the fast, your body will not be eating and experience the effects of with-staining from food. This means your body will feel weaker than usual. You may experience headaches or dizziness and you may be somewhat tired. These effects are normal. Some important steps to take include drinking plenty of water. You will need to drink 3000-4000ml/day. A good test to know if you have enough water in your body is to monitor the color of your urine. If it is yellow, you need more water; if it is clear, than you are drinking enough water. Also, abstain from intense physical activity when fasting such as exercising, lifting heavy objects or participating in any strenuous activity. Your body will not have the nutrients to draw upon or recover from these activities during a fast, and natural consequences will ensue.
The powers of darkness do not want you fasting and seeking God. The enemy will do anything they can to keep you from a deeper relationship with God. So when you fast, you may experience spiritual opposition. If this happens, it is a good sign! This means the enemy is afraid and not liking that you are seeking God more fully and intentionally. So be prepared to stand firm against the enemy's attacks and respond appropriately. Consider reading Praying on the Armor of God for more practical tips.
Breaking the Fast
During the fast, your body has been adjusting to not eating food. This means that your digestive system has been going into a hibernation of sorts and is not accustomed to eating. So breaking your fasting needs care and caution. A mistake I once made was eating two cheeseburgers and fries at the end of the fast... and was I in some serious pain! (no one taught me how to break a fast, and I learned the hard way.) So breaking your fast wisely will help your body adjust to eating again. Depending on the length of your fast will determine how to break the fast; and how accustomed a person is to fasting. But the main point of breaking a fast is to break it well, in small portions. This means breaking the fast with some soup or light food such as a piece of fruit. Then give your body some time to adjust before eating more food. This can be 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the length of your fast. It is better to eat less food than too much when breaking a fast.
Also, give your body some time to recover its strength. I would not recommend exercise, sports or strenuous labor within 6-12 hours of breaking a day fast; and longer for longer fasts. This can lead to harming yourself physically and possibly getting sick (I've done these too! And it was no fun).
As you break your fast, give praise and thanks to God for the fasting. We can thank God for all that God accomplished during the fast and all that will happen because of the fast. And know you are not responsible for the spiritual outcome(s) of the fast - that is God's job. We are responsible for being obedient and loving God with our fast. God determines the spiritual outcomes of the fast. We can trust God to accomplish what God wants to accomplish through our fasting.
Final Thoughts
This is just an introduction to the practicalities of fasting. The goal is to give you a practical foundation so that you can now being to practice Spirit-led fasting or choose to fast in accordance to Scriptural guidelines. Remember, fasting is all about a relationship with God. When we fast, we enter into a beautiful, yet sometimes difficult season, of pursuing God in a more intentional way. Fasting draws us near to God - whether we feel it or not. God determines the outcomes.
And if you have never fasted before, this is such a great opportunity to start! Fasting is one of the most spiritually rewarding and powerful means to deepen a relationship with God. Consider starting by fasting from one meal, then moving to 24 hours and on from there. Start small. Then be Spirit-led and ready for God's appointed fasts that will come.
For a detailed reflection on fasting, consider reading Reflections on a 10-day Fast or Biblical Basis for Fasting.
Jesus, may you call us to a life of fasting that we may know you more fully and partner with you in the mighty kingdom works you accomplish through fasting. Amen.
Further Fasting Resources:
Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, Elmer Towns
Knowing God through Fasting, Elmer Towns
God's Chosen Fast, Arthur Wallis
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