An Introduction to Fasting

I love eating good food, so fasting is not something I am naturally drawn to. But I have found spiritual benefits from fasting that make it a value for me and something I do regularly. My InterVarsity team, church, or friends may fast before retreats, significant events, or for friends who are facing difficult situations that need a breakthrough. I have seen God work powerfully as we fast and pray. I may also choose to fast and pray when I am seeking to hear from God on something specific or simply want to draw closer to him.

In the first half of my Christian life, I did not receive any teaching about fasting, so I never practiced it. Since then, all the churches I’ve been part of teach about Biblical fasting and often have times of communal fasting for specific reasons. 

So, if you also have not received much teaching on fasting, here is some information I have learned about fasting, how we should do it, and why. May this help demystify fasting for you. 

What is Fasting? 

Fasting without prayer is a diet or self-denial. But when we fast, pray, and set aside food or something else we depend on, we experience more of God’s presence, strength, and satisfaction. We can hear God more clearly, whether for ourselves, others, or specific situations.

The Bible talks about fasting over 70 times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Here are a few examples:

• Moses fasted for 40 days while receiving the Law.
• Daniel fasted for wisdom and understanding (Daniel 9:3).
• Esther and Nehemiah fasted before approaching the king (Esther 4:16, Nehemiah 1).
• The Israelites fasted and asked God for safe travel and protection (Ezra 8:23).
• Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights before he began his ministry.
• The early church leaders fasted and prayed while worshiping, which led to the Holy Spirit calling Barnabas and Saul for missionary work (Acts 13:2-3). 
• Jesus taught that some spiritual strongholds and obstacles need prayer and fasting to overcome (Matthew 17:21).
• Jesus also taught that fasting should not be done for public attention or spiritual pride (Matthew 6:16-18).
• Isaiah 58 teaches us that true fasting is more than just a fast from food, but that God is also concerned about injustice and setting the oppressed free.

What Can We Fast? 

Some possible ways to fast and pray include fasting everything but water, limiting certain foods or meals for a time, doing a Daniel fast which means consuming only vegetables and fruits, or a fast from anything you choose. People with medical conditions, eating disorders, or health concerns should consult a healthcare professional before beginning a food fast. 

While fasting from food is mentioned in the Bible, fasting can also include anything we depend on such as social media, entertainment, technology, etc. 

It is also good to set a specific amount of time for the period of fasting and prayer, ranging from one meal to three days, one week, 21 days, 40 days, 50 days, 70 days, or any amount of time you choose. I’ve done all of those periods of time, and I have learned that setting a duration of time helps you to not give up on fasting when you don’t feel like doing it anymore.

I’ve participated in all types of fasts and seasons of fasting and have experienced God at work each time, though it is not predictable how he will work as we fast and pray.

Why Should We Fast?

Fasting gives us time to dedicate ourselves to God and strengthen our spirit. If you choose to fast a specific meal or something you spend time on, you can spend that additional time with God. Fasting also creates space for us to repent from depending on substitute gods.

When fasting specific foods, it gives me extra reminders often to pray instead of eating that food. For example, I love eating ice cream and chocolate, especially when bored, stressed, or seeking pleasure. Instead of those desserts, I go to God to be satisfied by him.

You may spend time fasting and praying over a specific academic or career direction, praying for a friend, classmate, or family member in need. You can pray for God to move in a specific way in your fellowship or on your campus.

I find that I am more sensitive to God’s Spirit in times of fasting and prayer, and I definitely see more clearly how God is at work in the events or people that I pray for. I often feel more energy, strength, and focus on God when I am fasting or afterwards.

Some helpful suggestions to making sure you know why you’re fasting include setting a clear spiritual purpose, spending extra time reading Scripture and praying, staying humble without drawing attention to the fast, listening for God’s direction and correction, and doing it in community with others.

Fasting in Community

Fasting in community provides greater strength and accountability.  An InterVarsity staff partner and I once felt led by God to fast from food for 40 days and in a miraculous way, God sustained us. (This long of a fast is not for everyone, and should be approached with much prayer in community, with consideration of your health, and after many shorter fasts). During this fast, we even went to two weddings and joyfully drank juice while others were feasting on our favorite foods.

Though any type of fast is not easy, I usually feel greater joy, dependence, and satisfaction in God during and after the fast. I invite you to enter into some type of fasting and prayer. You can start with fasting a meal, some food, or something else you like or see as a distraction from God for a specific time period. You can ask others to join you if you are praying for something specific or if you just want to draw closer to God. Pray and ask God to lead you. 

As we fast and pray, God invites us all to come to him, focus on him, hear his voice, and receive what he wants to give us.