"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke?"Isaiah 58:6
Why Fast?
Jesus did not say 'if you fast' — He said 'when you fast' (Matthew 6:16). Fasting is assumed as part of the believer's life. The question is not whether to fast, but how and when.
Fasting is not about punishing the body or earning favour with God. It is about redirecting the energy and time normally spent on food toward prayer and seeking God. It creates hunger — and that hunger becomes a metaphor and a mechanism for deeper spiritual appetite.
Types of Fasting
- Complete Fast — No food or water (up to 3 days maximum — see Esther 4:16)
- Water Fast — Water only, no food (Jesus fasted 40 days)
- Daniel Fast — Vegetables and water only (Daniel 1 and 10)
- Partial Fast — Cutting specific foods (e.g. no meat, no social media)
- Corporate Fast — A church or community fasting together
How to Begin Fasting
Start small. A one-day water fast is a meaningful beginning. Use every moment of hunger as a prompt to pray. Keep a journal of what God shows you during the fast.
Always consult a doctor before extended fasting, particularly if you have any medical conditions.
A Prayer to Begin a Fast
🙏 Prayer
Lord, I begin this fast as an act of surrender — not of performance. I want more of You than I want food. Every time I feel hungry today, let that be a signal to turn to You. Show me what You want to show me. Break what needs to be broken in my life. Amen.