PRAYER & FASTING GUIDE
Fasting Guide
What does the Bible Teach About Fasting?
Biblical fasting involves abstaining from eating (and/or drinking) for spiritual purposes.
In the Old Testament, Israel celebrated certain annual fasts, the most prominent being the Day of Atonement . There were also occasional fasts tied to specific historical events, sometimes individual and sometimes corporate. Here are a few of the occasions for fasting: at a time of grief (I Sam. 31:13; Nehemiah 1:4), at a time of repentance (I Sam 7:6; I Kings 21:27), as an expression of humility (Ezra 8:21; Psalm 69:10) and as an expression of a need for God’s guidance and help. What all of these fasts share in common is that they were an expression of dependence on God.
Several New Testament passages give us insight about fasting.
Fasting teaches us that God’s Word nourishes us: Matthew 4:1-4 records the only example of Jesus fasting, just prior to his being tempted in the wilderness. He faced temptation with these words “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3-5 which talks about the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness, depending daily on manna to sustain them. He says that God humbled them and let them be hungry in order to teach them to depend on God’s Word to sustain them. By His example of fasting, Jesus reminds us that food alone can’t sustain us. We need to be nourished by God’s Word.
Fasting teaches us that doing God’s will sustains us: John 4:31-35 records Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well. When the disciples return they encourage Jesus to eat. He responds by saying “I have food to eat that you know not of,” then He adds “My food is to do the will of the Father.” Again, Jesus reminds us that food alone is not enough. We are sustained by doing God’s will.
Fasting teaches us that Jesus Himself sustains us: In John 6:48-50 Jesus says "I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.” We see this pictured symbolically in the bread and the cup of the Lord’s supper. Jesus is the source of eternal life. Fasting is feasting on Jesus.
Jesus assumed that fasting would be a part of His disciple’s spiritual life. In Matthew 6:16-18, He says “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” He warns us not to fast to impress people, but to be near to the heart of God.
What is the Purpose of Fasting?
Fasting is designed to intensify our dependence on God by weakening our dependence on food and other things. How does it do that?
Fasting reveals and heals our dependence on food (and other things) to fill the discomfort caused by low self-esteem, unfulfilling work, unloving relationships, uncontrollable circumstances, etc. It removes the false peace derived from the pleasure of eating.
Richard Foster says “More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface. If pride controls us, it will be revealed almost immediately. David writes, “I humbled my soul with fasting” (Psalm 69:10). Anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife, fear—if they are within us, they will surface during fasting.”
Fasting teaches us that we can go without getting what we want and survive. Fasting can free us from having to have what we want. Therefore, fasting can teach moderation or self-control, not only in relation to food, but in other areas as well. It teaches contentment. (I Timothy 6:6)
Fasting expresses and deepens our hunger for God. Richard Foster says, “Fasting reminds us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God: (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. In Christ, “All things hold together” (Col. 1:17). Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God and on Christ Himself. Fasting is feasting.”
Fasting for other reasons, such as a “spiritual disguise” for losing weight, is an aberration to Biblical fasting. Fasting to even appear spiritual to others is more akin to the Pharisees than Jesus’ instructions. Fasting must always, first and foremost, center on God. It must be about Him.
STEP 1: Clarify the Purpose of your fast.
Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Fasting is God-led and God-initiated. That means that He fuels a desire to fast and pray. He loves it when we fast.
STEP 2: Specify the Kind of Fast you will do.
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:
How long you will fast – one meal, one day, one week, several weeks, certain days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts)
The type of fast God wants you to undertake – discussed in the Types of Fasts section below.
What physical or social activities you will restrict
How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word.
Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon it.
STEP 3: Prepare your heart, mind and body for fasting.
Fasting is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. It is planned. We must prepare. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin can hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.
Do not rush into your fast. Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.
Prepare your heart and mind: Remember that God is your Father and He loves you and is for you.
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4) Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:1,2) Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others. (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13)
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart. (Hebrews 11:6)
Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit. (Galatians 5:16,17)
Finally, and of deep importance, Jesus instructs us in Matthew to not let others know about your fasting. The strict details of your fast should not be something you constantly talk about to others. It should remain between you and God.
Types of Fasts
Now that we have explored the Old and New Testament teaching and instruction on fasting, we can proceed to discuss specific kinds of fasts. Let us begin with the helpful words of Richard Foster in his classic, Celebration of Discipline: “As with all the Disciplines, a progression should be observed; it is wise to learn to walk well before we try to run.”
Biblical fasting almost always concerns food. Since the purpose of fasting, as we saw above, is to focus on God, to humble ourselves and to remind ourselves that we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, then the task in fasting is connecting our “going without” to “hungering for God.” This takes time, focus and prayer in itself. Please do not expect to be an “expert” at fasting right away. Fasting is a discipline that can take a very long time to understand well. ALSO, do not let this fact deter you or intimidate you.
Fasting is not unlike a beautifully written masterpiece of literature. It is simple enough for a youth to understand and enjoy, and yet magnificently rich enough for the scholar to devote his/her entire life to.
Abstaining from certain types of foods (meat, sweets, etc.) – Daniel 10:3
This type is a good one for beginners to fasting or those with health needs and special or restrictive diets.
Choose to abstain from something like breads, sweets, sodas, coffee or even red meat. Perhaps spend some time reading through Daniel’s fast in Daniel chapter 1 and chapter 10. Stick to only fruits and vegetables like he did or something similar.
Determine the timing and duration of your fast and begin. You may choose to go without this specific type of food on only certain days like Fridays, or you may go without during the weekdays only or perhaps every day. Finally, choose the duration of your fast. This community wide fast is 21 days (January 9 -29) but that does not mean you must go without for all of the 21 days. Determine the timing and duration ahead of time and stick to it. Rather, PRAY THROUGH it.
Abstaining from all food – Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9
This kind of fast is more difficult but can be broken up by timing and duration. This seems to be the most prevalent of the fasts we see in the Bible. It is also the most intimidating, but refuse to let it scare you. Fasting from all food is not scary if you determine beforehand when you will do so and for how long. Here are some ideas.
Start slowly. Begin with fasting for only a part of a day (lunch, or lunch and dinner). Do this for one day a week, or perhaps three days a week. You determine the timing and duration. Take a step of faith. Fasting is risky and involves our faith.
Next, try fasting from food but not beverages. This means that according to your timing and duration, you would not eat any solid foods but only water, juices, smoothies or perhaps simple soup broths. • Do this for the first one or two weeks. Devote the time that you normally would eating to Scripture reading and prayer. Focus on Jesus’ statements about food.
Next try a 24-hour fast. This means that you get up and eat a good breakfast and drink only water or juice until the following breakfast the next day. Set aside specific time, during normal meal times if possible, to pray and seek God.
Finally, you may progress to a two or three day fast. For some, progression may lead to a multi-day, even multi-week fast. But remember the purpose of your fast.
Abstaining from entertainment – Daniel 6:18
The king’s voluntary “fasting” from entertainment in the time of Daniel helps us further understand yet another type of fast. Fasting from entertainment can be particularly helpful and accessible to kids and teens.
Think of abstaining from television, ipods, video games, all reading except the Bible, music, texting, etc. for the duration of your fast. This can be a very powerful decision even as a supplement to food fasts.
Choosing your fasting plan is a very personal decision. We are all at different places in our walk with God and our spirituality should never be a cause for comparison or competition. There is nothing more “inherently spiritual” about one type of fast as opposed to another. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge to it, but know your body, know your options, and most importantly, seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. It’s also important to not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. This is a time to disconnect enough with your regular patterns and habits in order to connect more closely to God.
If you do not choose to fast, or no matter what kind of fast you choose, seek God with us in prayer.
Prayer Guide
Prayers Your Personal Life
January 6: To Increase in Spiritual Hunger and Holiness
As the New Year begins, ask the Lord to awaken your heart to His love. Pray for increased hunger to spend more time in prayer, worship, and God’s Word. Pray for a greater awareness of God’s holiness and ask Him to give you a tender conscience and a heart to please Him in your every thought, word, and deed.
January 7: To Draw Close to The Lord
Ask the Lord to reveal to you anything that would hinder your ability to come into His presence in a deeper way than you ever have before. Pray for the ability to see your sin as He sees it. Be brokenhearted over your sin and ask for forgiveness.
January 8: To Worship With A Whole Heart
Purpose to worship the Lord with all your heart all day long. Despite all circumstances that might seek to diminish your joy, worship the Lord! Pray, Lord put me in the path of those who have a heart for worship and love to talk of Your goodness.
January 9: To Set The Desire of Your Heart
PRAYER: Lord I want You to be the top priority of my life with nothing even close in second place. Help me Father to love You more than I ever have before. I want You to fill my heart, all of it, so there is no room for anything else with You having all my affections
January 10: To Walk in Wisdom and Revelation
PRAYER: Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see Him more clearly and your ears to hear anything He desires to speak. Pray for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation that you might know Jesus more deeply and have a profound understanding of the hope that is in His heart for you.
January 11: To be Filled with Power and Purpose
Ask to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Pray for the supernatural works of Jesus to be manifested in your life and that those around you will be transformed as they seek to know the powerful God that you serve. Pray that you would fulfill God’s purpose in your generation and that the very course of history would be changed because you lived.
January 12: To Find and Fulfill Your Destiny
Ask the Lord to share with you the plan that He has for your life. Pray that He would give you the next step in His Divine plan for your life and commit that you will follow His plan, for you, forever.
Prayers For Your Family
January 13: To Experience Fresh Encounters
Invite the Lord to visit your family (spouse, children, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, etc.) in a fresh new way in 2023. Pray that this year, you, your family and your close friends will encounter the holiness and sovereign power of God that will leave each one changed by His presence and more committed to His Kingdom.
January 14: To be Saved and Delivered
Pray for any loved ones by name who do not know the Lord or have fallen away from Him. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to them as the awesome God that He is. If any are filled with hurt, shame, doubt or fear, pray that they will run to God and not away from Him. Pray a hedge of protection around your family from all deception, temptation, and any plans of the Enemy that would thwart the good plans God has for them.
January 15: To Serve God Together
If you have never prayed, worshipped, or shared communion together as a family unit or with close friends, or if you have gotten away from this habit, consider how you can begin this practice regularly. Set aside time today to pray with at least one other family member or close friend
January 16: To be Healed and Reconciled
Pray for the healing of families across our area. Ask God to send a revival to families, causing many in entire bloodlines to become born again. Ask God to restore any broken marriages of which you are aware. Pray for reconciliation between parents and children and to repair breeches among other family members.
Prayers For Your Spiritual Family
January 17: To Receive a Fresh Outpouring of God’s Spirit
Ask God to prepare our church family with a new wineskin in order to receive the new wine He wants to pour out upon His people this year. Invite the Lord to sweep “the house” clean of any impurities and welcome His Holy Spirit to come in a fresh new way.
January 18: To be Served by Visionary Leaders
Ask God to give pastors and church leaders prophetic vision for the New Year. Pray that the Lord would revitalize each leader and his family spiritually, physically, and mentally. Pray that the Lord would prepare “fresh bread” for them to serve God’s people and that they would speak with one voice. Ask God to show the leaders of Destiny how they can speak to the issues of the day with boldness and truth and as such become reformers for society’s problems.
January 19: To Prepare Destiny to be Agents of Transformation
Pray that doors would open for Destiny to be able to plant churches in other regions and to equip the body of Christ to do the work of the ministry, transform their spheres of influence, and impact the world for Christ in publicly meaningful and tangible ways. Pray for a foundation in the Word of God to be laid again in the lives of Christians and for the restoration of Biblical principles in God’s people in our region and beyond.
Prayers For Our Community
January 20: To be a Habitation for God’s Presence
Lift your neighbors before the Lord, asking for God’s presence to fill the atmosphere, making it conducive for God to speak and work in the lives of all who live around you. Pray for your neighbors by name, asking God to reveal Himself to each one.
January 21: To Value Integrity
Pray that leaders in Franklin and Clayton would uphold a standard of godliness in business dealings and financial planning. Ask God to strengthen their employees against the temptation to compromise. Pray that those in the workplace would walk in God’s ways and honor Him with their finances.
January 22: To be Cleansed of Sin
Understand that a city or region cannot receive God’s blessing if it is built on sin and bloodshed. That type of foundation causes the people to labor and gain nothing. Pray, and ask that God’s mercy and forgiveness be poured out in the Franklin and Clayton area for any sins that have been committed. Name and repent for any specific sins you are aware of such as injustices or covenant breaking.
January 23: To Experience Revival
Pray for a marketplace revival to sweep the mountains of Western North Carolina. Pray for revival to break out on your street, in schools, government, business, media, entertainment, and congregations. Ask the Lord to raise up dedicated Christians who will become a voice to reform our region.
January 24: To Uphold Righteousness and Justice
Seek the Lord for the Franklin and Clayton area so there will be a spiritual climate for the gospel to expand rapidly. Pray for righteous leaders and just laws. Ask that governmental officials would gain God’s perspective on any injustices occurring in your area and revelation of how to solve them. Pray for the media to be honest, truthful, and report accurately the news that really matters in our region.
January 25: To Experience God’s Presence and Power
Pray that Franklin and Clayton will be marked by the tangible presence of God and that every time people gather in large or small groups they will have a supernatural life-changing encounter with God. Ask in faith for God’s Spirit to manifest in repentance, worship, united fervent prayer, acts of kindness, supernatural healings, miracles, and new births in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower those in government who will transform the political system and return it to the ideology of the founding fathers
January 26: To be Filled with God’s Glory
Pray that Destiny would be a city set on a hill and “salt and light” to the world. Pray that we would influence other nations with righteousness rather than by transporting unholy lifestyles. Pray we would have God’s perspective in how we align with other nations and that we would please the Lord in a Biblical alliance with Israel. Ask God to fill this land with His glory.