Fasting Guide
Fasting is not a discipline that we can ignore in our journey with Christ. Instead, it must become a significant part of our faith walk with Him. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the discipline of fasting. He said to the crowd, "And WHEN you fast.." He was implying that fasting would be something they would engage in regularly in their life. fI fasting was an expectation of the first followers of Christ, it is also expected of 21st century believers. One of the main
purposes of a fast is to remove yourself from the hectic and noisy lifestyle we often live in order to draw near to and hear more clearly the voice of God. The time normally spent eating should be replaced with time spent with God in prayer and reading His Word.
Due to health concerns, specific dietary requirements, and other factors, you may be unable to participate in certain types of fasts; but other options are outlined below to allow you the opportunity to engage in this spiritual discipline. Here are examples for you to consider as we start the year off drawing closer to God and listening for His voice.
Daniel Fast (partial fast)
Based on Daniel 1:12 - "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink." Typical fast includes eating fruits, vegetables, no meat, no sweets, no bread, and drinking water and juice only (variations do exist). This fast is most commonly used during a 21-day period.
Full Fast
Juice fast: drink fruit and vegetable juices and water only in place of solid food Water fast: no eating of food or drinking any other liquid except water.
A full fast may require receiving instruction from your doctor, and it also requires a specific plan leading up to and following the completion of the fast.
Specific Food or Activity Fast
Omit one specific item from your meal plan (pop, sweets, etc.).
In cases where a food fast is not possible because of medical conditions or health concerns, you may also choose to omit a specific activity (social media, television, etc.).