Fasting Part Two – How Do We Fast?

There are several types of fasts, many involve refraining from food and sometimes water. First, I want to encourage you to ONLY practice this discipline in a SAFE manner. If you have a medical condition that might be affected by altering your diet, consult with your doctor before fasting. Be encouraged, God knows your heart, and fasts can be modified to accommodate your specific needs.

You may choose to fast alone, with a friend, or a group of people. When you are fasting, you shouldn’t go around proclaiming it to the world, but if someone asks you it is ok to share. Jesus gives instructions on how to carry yourself when fasting in Matthew 6:16-18.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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 6:16-18

Be prepared for the enemy’s attack.

It seems like every time I commit to a fast, Satan attempts to intervene and derail my spiritual progress. Of course he does! He hates to see us growing in our relationship with God and walking with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While I may have a handle on restricting my food, he will often tempt me to sin. Sometimes his attacks come in the form of someone cutting me off on the highway, an appliance breaking, or my family trying my patience. When I sin in my words or actions, it sometimes feels like my fast was wasted. I want you to know, that is a lie from the enemy! Humble your heart, repent to God (and if you have sinned against someone, that person too), pick yourself back up and continue your fast.

Prayer is essential!

Fasting without prayer is pointless, but the combination of both can move mountains! When fasting, I intentionally spend the time normally used preparing or enjoying food, in prayer and consecration. I also write down things I’m led to pray about, revisiting them in prayer throughout the duration of the fast. While fasting, I quiet the noise of the world by avoiding secular music or podcasts and often avoid social media. I replace these with reading or listening to scripture, worship music, and Christian podcasts. For me, fasting is always accompanied by a complete and total shift or upheaval of my typical daily habits.

Types of fasts

There are many options when it comes to the discipline of fasting. I will go over some of the fasts I regularly complete and have found to be beneficial in my spiritual walk. Before fasting, I ask myself “What is one thing that I enjoy and could ‘never’ give up?” From there I consider how to limit or avoid that thing all together for the duration of the fast. It encourages my faith to sacrifice something that I depend on and replace it with prayer and worship. The greater the challenge, the better! Again, a fast must be intentional, focused on God, and combined with prayer for there to be any spiritual benefit.

Social Media Fast/Technology Fast

If you are unable to alter your diet, a social media fast may be a sensible option for you. When I attempt this type of fast, I choose to temporarily delete all the social media apps from my phone. Cell phones are designed to elicit engagement and capture attention. Removing the temptation of social media all together increases my success when fasting. Remember, you can always add the apps back (if you still want them) once the fast is complete. Pray and ask God how long you should fast; I typically do this for a month, sometimes several.

Another option is a complete technology fast. With our society’s current dependency on technology, this is best completed over a shorter period of time. Consider taking on this challenge for several hours, a day, or even a weekend if you can. During this time, avoid technology such as the phone, computer, and television. Focus your time and attention on prayer and studying God’s word. Ask God to bring you greater understanding of scripture and to unveil new revelations.

Noise Fast

A noise fast is exactly what it sounds like: a period of complete silence. While fasting noise, you should also strive to silence your mind, which is the more challenging part. Start by choosing a quiet time of day to avoid distractions. I typically fast early in the morning when my family is sleeping. Grabbing a notebook and pen, I set an alarm for 5 minutes (it’s harder than you think!) and sit in silence. I imagine myself sitting beside Jesus and how it might feel to be physically surrounded by His glory. With effort, I keep my mind from wandering and fight off intrusive thoughts. When I feel my brain growing loud, I think to myself ‘holy, holy, holy,’ and remember that I am in the presence of The King. I do not make requests or expect Him to speak, but should He choose to: the notebook and pen are nearby.

I was introduced to noise fasting about 2 years ago. If you know me personally, you know that this type of fast is more difficult for me than any of the others. I am anxious by nature and always feel the need to fill the silence. I love this fast because it is a struggle, and I don’t always succeed, but God knows my heart endeavors to surrender everything to Him! This includes my thought and behavior patterns. By choosing to “be still,” I am dying to myself, even if only for 5 minutes. Jesus is worthy of this and so much more!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

Absolute Fast

An absolute fast is a fast from all food and liquids for a decided amount of time. Examples of this fast are seen in Esther 4:16 and in Acts 9:9 when Jesus appears to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. This type of fast is extreme and should only be safely completed over short durations of time. Before attempting this fast, care should be taken to ensure that you are well-hydrated. Drink plenty of water, juices, electrolytes etc. up until you begin the fast, and again once the fast is complete.

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

Water Only Fast

This is the fast I complete most often. Typically, I will do a water only fast at least once a month, for 1-3 days. As is implied by the name, only water is permitted during the duration of this fast.

 If you desire to attempt a water only fast, but you struggle with headaches or other physical symptoms; you can modify this fast by allowing clear liquids. By drinking bone broth, clear juices etc., you can take in some sugars, carbohydrates, and sodium, which should ease some discomfort.

Liquid Only Fast

If you are not ready for a water only fast, or you want to fast for an extended period of time; a liquid only fast is a great option for you. I usually choose this type of fast when I feel led by the Holy Spirit to fast for 3 days or more. For this fast, you do not consume any solid food, but you can have water, juice, smoothies, protein shakes etc.

Intermittent Fasting

This type of fast permits eating and drinking only during a given time frame (such as between 11am-5pm) and is typically done for several consecutive days. Intermittent fasting is trendy and a common practice in the health and dieting world. However, when used for spiritual purposes, intermittent fasting can be a great option to incorporate occasionally or in your regular daily rhythm. You can find an example of this type of fast in the book of Judges.

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.

Judges 20:26

Partial Fast

Is there something specific you would like to set aside in pursuit of God? In a partial fast, certain foods are removed from the diet for a designated amount of time. You might choose to fast alcohol, coffee, sugar, meat etc.

A friend once told me a story of a woman she knew whose husband had fallen away from his faith. In response, this woman and some close friends fasted from ice cream until the husband returned to his faith. It took two years, but he eventually found his way back to Christ and the ladies celebrated over ice cream the same day he returned to church! It might sound silly to some, but to these ladies it was a serious commitment, accompanied by daily prayer, and in the end it proved undeniably effective! 

The Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast modeled after the fasting practices of Daniel as recorded in the Old Testament. While participating in this fast, you may consume the following: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, oils and plenty of water. Restricted foods include dairy, meat, sugars, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, preservatives, deep fried foods, alcohol, and caffeine. While fasting, the only beverages allowed are water, 100% fruit and vegetable juices with no preservatives, unsweetened and preservative free nut milk (almond, cashew, coconut etc.) and herbal, caffeine free teas.  

This fast is often practiced for 10 or 21 days, based on scripture in the book of Daniel, although it is believed the Daniel and his companions adhered to this diet for 3 years!

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself… Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.”

Daniel 1:8, 11-12

“In those days, I Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all for the full three weeks.”

Daniel 10:2-3

There’s no experience required to dedicate yourself to this fast. You can commit to the Daniel Fast on your own, with family, or friends. Being a partial fast, there is a wide range of foods that you can consume. In fact, there are even a multitude of “Daniel Fast Friendly” recipes available online. This fast is challenging due to the duration and because you often must bring your own food wherever you go. If you press into God with commitment to prayer, worship and reading His word, you can accomplish this fast. The Daniel Fast is for anyone who is eager to know God more and is hungry for a deeper connection. If you are willing to fast for 10 or 21 days, ready to see God move, and desperate for more of Him: this fast is for you!

Side note: My Experience with the Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast is my favorite fast! It has become my practice to commit to the Daniel Fast at the beginning of each year, and sometimes mid-year. I partake in the Daniel Fast with friends and family for 21 days, starting soon after January first. I find that beginning my year in worship, prayer and fasting sets the tone for the upcoming year. It aligns my focus on Christ and strengthens my relationship with those whom I fast with. Every time I complete this fast, I see God move directly and intentionally in my life. Sometimes He moves outwardly and visibly, other times he moves quietly in my heart. God has used this fast to direct me in ministry, bless me relationally, break chains of addiction, and to convict and bring me to repentance.  

Physical benefits of fasting

The spiritual benefits of fasting are immeasurably more important than any net positive physically. The physical benefits of fasting are merely side effects of the practice, but we should be aware of them. According to livescince.com, fasting triggers a process called autophagy: a type of cellular recycling. By causing the body to breakdown and reuse old cell parts, this process helps it run more efficiently and clears out cellular debris.

According to Healthline.com: fasting has also been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and may help lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that the shock to the body caused by fasting may also be beneficial for gut health; decreasing inflammation and helping regulate sugar and insulin. Some studies suggest that fasting can even block tumor growth!

Animal studies show that fasting could improve brain function, increase nerve cell synthesis, and protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. As someone who is living with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative autoimmune disease that attacks the nerves in the brain, eyes and spine, I have also come across several studies that suggest regular fasting is beneficial in reducing disease symptoms and progression. Thus, for me the focus is spiritual, but I thank God for allowing me to know Him more and also to benefit physically from fasting. Indeed, He is a good good Father!

Are you being called deeper?

Fasting is not a requirement for a Christ follower, but it is a beneficial practice. As an act of worship, fasting humbles us and helps bring our lives into proper alignment with Christ. Documented throughout the bible, fasting is a discipline many Christians choose to practice as part of their faith. Take a moment to consider fasting and talk to God about it. When we earnestly seek God and move closer to Him, He reveals more of himself to us. You might find that fasting adds a new level of depth and intimacy to your relationship with Jesus.

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13