How Should I Fast?
We’re inviting our entire church to join our leaders in a three-week season of prayer and fasting. During this time we are collectively seeking to receive clarity from God on how we should make decisions for the future as well as pursuing unity as a church family.
For updates on why we’re doing this and resources to help you participate click here.
After considering why followers of Jesus should fast, the next question is: how do we fast? Simply put, fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food and/or drink for a period of time. The means by which we abstain from food/drink may vary but the purpose remains the same: to create space to receive from God and feast on His presence. Successful fasting often moves in 3 phases: Preparation, Participation, and Proclamation.
Preparation
Before beginning, take time to prepare logistically, mentally, and spiritually. Ask God to help you discern the particulars of your fast. For some, it may be fasting for one meal each day. For others, it may be fasting from food for an entire day each week, or possibly even more.* Beyond simply removing certain meals from your life, it’s important to replace that space with time in God’s presence, finding nourishment in communion with God through his Word. Make a plan for how you will fast and how you will intentionally spend time with God (see list of suggested activities below).
Once you’ve determined the particulars of how you will fast, prepare for your fast by meditating on on the following passages of scripture:
2 Chronicles 7:14: Humble yourself before God and ask the Holy Spirit to stir your soul, awaken our churches, and heal our land.
Acts 4:31: Prepare yourself spiritually and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
1 John 5:14-15: Focus on God’s promise to hear us.
James 1:5: Pray for God to speak to us and provide us with wisdom and vision.
*For those with specific health concerns or eating disorders, it may be best to fast from only specific foods/drinks or certain activities (social media, TV, etc.). The Daniel Fast may be a good alternative to complete fasting in some scenarios. For those with a history of eating disorders, this podcast “Fasting: Our Relationship to Food, Body, and Image” is a helpful resource. Please use wisdom and discernment when determining how to fast and remember that the goal of fasting is not what you abstain from but cultivating dependence on God and creating space to hear from Him.
Humble yourself before God and ask the Holy Spirit to stir your soul, awaken our churches, and heal our land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Participation
Participate in your fast by executing your daily plan as best as you can. As you feel hungry or come to parts of your day where you normally eat, use it as a prompt for prayer. Turn your heart to God and ask him to starve your flesh and feed your Spirit. Use your imagination to “see” yourself drawing strength from God himself.
Proclamation
Respond by proclaiming truth and worshipping God. This might mean sharing what you heard from God with others, acknowledging that God is listening, praising God for answering specific prayers, and proclaiming his grace in our lives by closing out the fast with communion.