Fasting Guide
Fasting – Practical Suggestions
“To be clear, prayer and fasting are not formulaic endeavors. There is no guarantee that because we pray and fast we will experience the breakthrough we want. I do believe, however, the in prayer and fasting we will always experience the breakthroughs God desired for us.”
“I believe that Jesus knew that fasting wasn’t about us somehow getting God’s attention. Instead, fasting is about God getting all of our attention.” – Dave Clayton
Preparing for your fast:
1. Decide why you are fasting…seek God’s guidance
a. Spiritual renewal
b. Guidance from God
c. Discernment in a certain area of life
d. Physical healing (for you or someone else)
e. Revival!!
f. Salvation for the lost
g. All of the above
2. Choose your type of fast
4 Types:
1. Major Fast – 24 hours of abstaining from food and drink
2. Minor Fast – abstaining from food for a set period of time (ex: 6am-6pm)
3. Partial Fast – abstaining from certain foods or drinks for an extended period of time
4. Soul Fast – abstaining from things that aren’t food for an extended period of time (not found in scripture)
**I highly recommend some kind of food fast. There is something about giving up food that physically and spiritually realigns you in a way nothing else can.
3. Decide who you will fast with.
We are not supposed to “advertise” that we are fasting, however, accountability and prayer are important. It is good to have a partner or group. It can be a blessing to all participating.
4. Prepare your body.
a. Drink extra water leading up to your fast
b. Don’t over-eat the day before…it actually makes you more hungry
5. MAKE A PLAN OF WHAT TO DO SPIRITUALLY DURING THE FAST
a. Use the times usually given to eating to read the Bible, worship through song and pray (sometimes I walk and sing and pray during a meal)
b. Each time your mind wanders to food (it will more than you think) pray for the thing that inspired your fast (revival, healing, guidance, etc.)
c. Share with your family at shared meals what you are doing and why you are doing it – witness to what God is doing or saying to you!
6. Listen.
Lean into what God brings into mind. He may give you a scripture to meditate on, a WORD for you to focus on, or a vision of what He wants you to do. ASK HIM FOR THESE! It will be exciting to see what God will reveal to you.
7. Include your family.
This is a time to testify, teach and train! It creates a special intimacy if you are fasting as a couple. It may be new to all of you. If your kids are small, just share what you are doing and invited them to pray with you. You could have older kids participate for 1 meal or maybe have super simple meals of bread and water for 1 meal and then use that time to worship and pray together. Make sure you tell them all of the blessings of fasting.
“To be clear, prayer and fasting are not formulaic endeavors. There is no guarantee that because we pray and fast we will experience the breakthrough we want. I do believe, however, the in prayer and fasting we will always experience the breakthroughs God desired for us.”
“I believe that Jesus knew that fasting wasn’t about us somehow getting God’s attention. Instead, fasting is about God getting all of our attention.” – Dave Clayton
Preparing for your fast:
1. Decide why you are fasting…seek God’s guidance
a. Spiritual renewal
b. Guidance from God
c. Discernment in a certain area of life
d. Physical healing (for you or someone else)
e. Revival!!
f. Salvation for the lost
g. All of the above
2. Choose your type of fast
4 Types:
1. Major Fast – 24 hours of abstaining from food and drink
2. Minor Fast – abstaining from food for a set period of time (ex: 6am-6pm)
3. Partial Fast – abstaining from certain foods or drinks for an extended period of time
4. Soul Fast – abstaining from things that aren’t food for an extended period of time (not found in scripture)
**I highly recommend some kind of food fast. There is something about giving up food that physically and spiritually realigns you in a way nothing else can.
3. Decide who you will fast with.
We are not supposed to “advertise” that we are fasting, however, accountability and prayer are important. It is good to have a partner or group. It can be a blessing to all participating.
4. Prepare your body.
a. Drink extra water leading up to your fast
b. Don’t over-eat the day before…it actually makes you more hungry
5. MAKE A PLAN OF WHAT TO DO SPIRITUALLY DURING THE FAST
a. Use the times usually given to eating to read the Bible, worship through song and pray (sometimes I walk and sing and pray during a meal)
b. Each time your mind wanders to food (it will more than you think) pray for the thing that inspired your fast (revival, healing, guidance, etc.)
c. Share with your family at shared meals what you are doing and why you are doing it – witness to what God is doing or saying to you!
6. Listen.
Lean into what God brings into mind. He may give you a scripture to meditate on, a WORD for you to focus on, or a vision of what He wants you to do. ASK HIM FOR THESE! It will be exciting to see what God will reveal to you.
7. Include your family.
This is a time to testify, teach and train! It creates a special intimacy if you are fasting as a couple. It may be new to all of you. If your kids are small, just share what you are doing and invited them to pray with you. You could have older kids participate for 1 meal or maybe have super simple meals of bread and water for 1 meal and then use that time to worship and pray together. Make sure you tell them all of the blessings of fasting.