Fasting Resources
GUIDE TO FASTING
As we enter this time consecration, fasting and praying for the will of God to be done, we can expect to reap benefits and promises that our obedience to His Word produces. Such as doors opening, miraculous provision, favor, healing and supernatural breakthrough!
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting is intentionally abstaining from food (not fluids) for spiritual purposes; it is humbling your soul (Psalm 35:13, Matthew 23:12). Fasting brings you into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
Fasting is an act of humility before God to seek His divine intervention in the events of our physical world.
It brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of our true spiritual condition, leading to brokenness, repentance, and change, and allows the Holy Spirit to work in a powerful way.
Fasting transforms prayer into a richer, more personal experience and draws you closer to God. (James 4:8)
PURPOSE FOR FASTING
1. TO SEEK ANSWERS FROM GOD
Ezra 8:21 ; 23 NLT
“21 And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. 23 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”
2. TO PRAY ON BEHALF OF OTHERS
Ezekiel 22:30 NLT
“30 I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
3. TO BRING BREAKTHROUGH IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
Isaiah 58:6-8 NLT
“6 No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the lord will protect you from behind.”
HOW TO FAST
1. DISCREETLY (Matthew 6:17-18 NLT)
“17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
2. WITH FAITH (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)
“6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
TYPES OF FASTS
Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
COMPLETE FAST
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
PARTIAL FAST
This fast 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 pm or from sunup to sundown.
SELECTIVE FAST
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and vegetables for food.
SOUL FAST
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food or have health issues. You might choose to stop using social media to watching television for the duration of the fast.
DANIEL’S FAST
FOODS TO EAT
All Fruits: Apples, peaches, berries, grapes, pineapples, oranges, bananas, melons etc. (fresh/raw, frozen, dried, juiced or canned in their own juice, not syrup)
All Veggies: Squash, lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, greens, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. (fresh/raw, frozen, dried or canned)
Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, barley, grits, hot cereal, whole-wheat pasta, etc.
Other Natural Foods: Beans and peas, seeds and nuts, oils, rice milk, soy milk, water, healthy beverages and smoothies (with no sugars or artificial preservatives), spices, herbs, tofu, soy, vinegar.
Sweeteners: Stevia, Equal, Splenda, Agave Nectar