Christian fasting is important because, “When, by faith, we give up the sustenance of this world—for a time—in order to pursue God our true sustainer, we cannot help but become more like him and experience him more fully.” So in order to help and facilitate the blessing in your life here’s a review of biblical purposes for fasting along with how to fast (for a more in-depth explanation check out the sermon) and then give a suggestion on how to accomplish a 1-meal fast. 

1. Discern a purpose

In fasting, you should always define the purpose for your fast. Though there are numerous purposes for biblical fasting, the 7 we reviewed are:

• to strengthen prayer (Ezra 8:21-23)

• to seek God’s guidance (Acts 14:23)

• to express grief and return to God (2 Sam 1:11-12; Joel 2:12)

• to humble oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27-29; Psa 35:13)

• to further the work of God (Is 58:6-7)

• to overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God (Lk 4)

• to worship God and devote yourself to Him (Lk 2:36)

~ adapted from Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

2. Choose what to fast from

Food? Select foods? Technology and entertainment? - remember, a technology and entertainment fast is likely to accompany most food fasts because the intention is to be more aware of God’s presence. Entertainment and unnecessary technology tend to distract us from God’s presence. 

3. Decide how long to fast

One meal? 24 hours? Three days? More? - Remember, start small and seek medical advice if you have any health conditions or want to do anything longer than a day or two. Energy drinks and juices may be appropriate when doing strenuous activities while fasting. 

4. Plan to make sure you have time for prayer

Building our awareness of God and syncing up with Him and His will is really the main point of fasting. If we don’t plan appropriate time for prayer, we are sort of defeating the purpose.  

5. Incorporate others if appropriate

Especially for first fasts or longer fasts, it is encouraging to partner with a friend, spouse, lifegroup, or other small group to fast together. You can all be seeking the same thing, or completely different things—it doesn’t really matter. 

Completing a Lunch Fast 

(The intention of what is below is to be a helpful starting place…not prescriptive directions.)

After completing the above, let’s say that you’ve decided to plan a one-meal lunch fast but decided to still allow yourself beverages (coffee or hot tea). A one-meal workday fast could look like the following.

• Breakfast: Have a normal breakfast…nothing special. 

• Morning Personal Worship: If you have a morning quiet time, follow your normal reading plan but focus your prayer time towards the defined purpose of the fast.

• Morning Drive: When you get to work, or go back into the house, or step into your home office, set aside some time to communicate with God what your hopes are for the day and why they are important to you. 

1. Join Jesus in saying, “not my will, but your will be done, Father.”

2. Thank God for always being present and desiring that we bring all our concerns to him as we walk with him.

• Throughout the morning: Program in, or find, moments to thank God for ways he shows up every day. Reiterate what your purpose in fasting today is. This is more for you and keeping you in the right mindset than God.

• Lunch (alone):

1. Spend some time praising and giving thanks to God. Some suggestions are:

1. Physical/Relational blessings: Food, shelter, transportation, work, the many creature comforts we have, technology, medicine, friends, coworkers, leaders…there is a long list… - all good gifts come from God. 

2. Spiritual: the work of Christ, salvation, the ability to pray and have relationship with the father, the gifts of the holy spirit, the blessing of God’s inspired word

2. Spend time reflecting on your purpose/request:

1. Don’t be rushed. Reflect on it with God. Explore the topic. Pray and have periods of silence, and be okay with the silence. Reflect on scriptures that touch on your purpose. Fully explore the purpose in God’s presence and ask him to give you greater awareness and understanding. Ask him to show you where you need to repent and turn from lack of belief. Ask him to bring to mind more scriptures that may address your topic and be willing to look up and search for some scriptures.

*Your prayer time could take a hundred different forms. I like to either journal my prayers (by computer or by hand), or I like to walk around and pray out loud. Whatever form it takes, several things should be true: (a) your time should be grounded in the truth (scripture) - it is God’s already revealed will and truth, (b) you should strive to have an open heart and be ready to repent - especially when we begin to feel God is unjust or in the wrong, (c) make sure to  include time to listen - not just to speak, (d) don’t rush.

• Throughout the afternoon: Approach the afternoon as you did the morning. 

• Before dinner: Plan a time for final reflection and follow-up prayer before dinner. Whether God “answered” your purpose or not, thank God for the time, and be honest about where your heart is. Finish with thanksgiving for the good he showed you in the day.