Biblical fasting is an intentional act of abstaining from something (most often food or a type of food) for a specific period of time for the purpose of focusing more on the Lord. As a church, we are asking the Lord to lead us into a new season of flourishing.

Starting on Wednesday, February 14, and ending on Thursday, March 28, we are inviting the church to join this journey of fasting. Fasting often exposes our misshapen cravings–our longing for comfort and peace connected to things like food, drink, entertainment, and social media. While you can fast from any of these, we have made the decision to make this fast primarily about food. Here are a few ways you can structure your food-based fast1:

Option 1 (Varied Weeks)

Weeks 1-2: A commitment to fast from all food except water, juice, and other broths.

Weeks 3-4: A commitment to fast from all meals, except the incorporation of one meal into the schedule (ex: fasting all day until 6 PM).

Weeks 5-6: A commitment to fast for one meal out of the day, with an intentional time of focused prayer during the time period normally spent eating.

Option 2 (All Meals)

This will be a commitment to fast from all food except for water, juice, and other broths for the duration of the fast.

Option 3 (Some Meals/Altered Diet)

This will be a commitment to fast for a significant portion of your day, incorporating only 1-2 meals into your schedule (ex. fasting all day until 6:00 PM). Or, due to medical and other considerations, it may be necessary to participate by altering your diet for the duration of the fast. (This may be with vegetables only, or something known as the Daniel Fast.)

In lieu of food, please feel free to fast other things such as television or social media, as the Lord leads you.

Fasting uniquely places our physical, emotional, and spiritual capacities under the same burden. This means that the effects of fasting will affect each of these areas. As a disclaimer, if you have a medical condition, please contact your physician before attempting to fast. Here are some common effects fasting may have on you:

Physical

Changing your food intake, especially completely abstaining from meals, will challenge your body. It is likely that you will feel fatigued and intensified hunger. Headaches are another common symptom.

Emotional

Eating is connected to our emotions, so we should not be surprised that fasting will expose some negative emotions. Be prepared for heightened emotional sensitivity and responses like anger and irritability.

Spiritual

Fasting is an earnest act of submission to and dependence on the Lord. In a positive way, it positions us to be more sensitive to the conviction and leading of the Spirit. Times of fasting are often marked by repentance.

Also, be mindful of the schemes of the enemy–you will experience heightened temptation and discouragement if you aren’t clearly seeing answers to your devotion and prayer.

Again, please be sure to consult your physician before participating. Here are a few tips to prepare.

1. Choose the type of fasting- varied, complete, or some meals/altered (see How can I participate? to learn more).
2. Invite someone to be your prayer partner. Set a consistent rhythm for accountability with this person.
3. Ask the Lord to reveal any sin that may be hindering you during the fast. Confess and repent those things to him.
4. Have a plan for how you will spend the time which is normally reserved for eating.
5. You may want to consider how you will respond in situations when an invitation to an event or meal would hinder your fast.
6. Pray, pray, pray.

Leading up to Easter, we are praying for renewal. Week 1, we will prayer for personal renewal. The second week, we are looking at renewal in our relationships. During our third week, we will be praying for renewal in our church. The fourth week will be focused on renewal in our families. We close our final two weeks of the fast praying for renewal in our country and among the nations.

You can follow along in our Breathe Devotional Guide, which includes, readings, prayers, and short devotional videos.