How to Fast As a Christian

Last Updated: October 6, 2022 References Approved

Fasting is a sacred time in which Christians abstain from food, or other pleasures, and take the time to focus on God. If you are interested in focusing your life around God, while feeding the poor, deepening your faith -- read on and find out how!

For a non-religious fast, see How to Fast.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Before the Fast

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Hold the right motives. Note that fasting as a Christian means to humble yourself before Him. It is a way to glorify our Lord. Keep these aspects in mind while you fast. Don't confuse this with any other reasons for fasting such as weight loss, etc. Center it around Jesus.^{[1]
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2
Pray before your fast. Pray, confessing every one of your sins, and inviting the Holy Spirit to lead your life. Let Jesus know you wish to know Him personally. Acknowledge that He lived without sin, died in our place, on the cross for our sins and rose 3 days later, freeing us from condemnation, and giving us His free gift of eternal life. Humble yourself to ask forgiveness from everyone you have hurt; ask forgiveness from God. Forgive those who have hurt you. You do not want to enter into a fast holding grudges, carrying envy, pride, anger or hurt. The enemy will try to use those things to distract you from your fast.^{[2]
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3
Meditate on the Gospel, and on the Holy traits of our Lord. These may include the ability to forgive, His strength or wisdom, His peace, the capacity to love unconditionally, etc. Praise Him for these attributes! Surrender your life and thank Him for all He has done for you!^{[3]
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4
Determine the length of your fasting experience, whether this is for 1 meal, 1 day, 3 days or a week (Jesus and Moses fasted for a period of 40 days, but that is no sign that anyone else might do that). You may wish to try a shorter fast, and start slowly at first, if you have not previously fasted. You can also pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how long you should fast.^{[4]
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5
Note the type of fast you are being called to. You may feel that the Holy Spirit calls you to a specific type of fast. A partial fast may mean giving up only certain types of foods. Juice fasts remove the pleasure of chewing any type of solid food, yet fruit and vegetable juices are permitted.^{[5]
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6
Drink enough water to support life, since it is not a food, observing this Absolute Caution: In an absolute fast one abstains from solid and liquid "foods" -- for example, fruit juices are foods -- but, water is essential for life much as breathing, as one may go into a foggy mental state, then coma and die after a mere 2 or 3 days of dehydration.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

During the Fast

1
Hold morning worship. Worship Him and praise Him for His attributes. Read God's Word, and meditate that God will lend me His Wisdom, so that I can input His Word into my life, and I can gain a fuller understanding of it. Pray for God's Will to be done, and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to lead you in spreading His Glory into the world we live in.^{[7]
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Go for a prayer walk. Walk outside, hand in hand with nature, while noticing God's wondrous creation. Thank Him for everything He has created as you walk. Ask Him to give you a spirit of thanksgiving and appreciation.^{[8]
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Pray for the welfare of others. Pray for church leaders to preach His Word as God intended, so that your friends and family members will grow closer to Him or accept Him into their lives; pray for government leaders to come to Him, and ask Him for His Will.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Breaking (after) the Fast

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Avoid gorging, as one of the recommended ways to return to a regular eating habit after fasting.^{[10]
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Gradually add in a raw salad the first day of breaking your fast.^{[11]
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The 2nd day, add a baked potato, avoiding any fat or salt on the potato.^{[12]
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The 3rd day, add a steamed vegetable. Afterwards, progressively initiate additional foods into your eating.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I fast if I am a food addict?

Community Answer

Having issues with an eating disorder, I feel equipped to answer your question. The purpose of fasting is to take the focus off of being fulfilled by anything other than God. You can confess your addiction to the Lord and fast with the anticipation that He will free you from this addiction. Fasting and praying can help you gain mastery over your thoughts and behaviors. The enemy will try to attack you with all kinds of nonsense, but if you are prepared for the attack with God's Word, you will stand strong. After breaking the fast, employ the wisdom and self control that you gained during the fast and refuse to accept your former behaviors.
Question

Can I fast while I'm working or should I wait for my days off?

Community Answer

It depends entirely on your preferences. If you have a job that requires a lot of physical labor and effort, you might want to wait until your days off. If, however, you have a desk job or something similarly laid back, you can fast any time you want.
Question

Can I drink water during my fasting day?

Community Answer

Of course. That's how many Christians fast and it's how some people in the Bible did.

Warnings

Be sure to get plenty of rest.

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Fasting should not be used as a method of weight control, or it will lose much of it spiritual meaning and reward.

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Avoid overeating or even gorging when you come off your fast.

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You may become dizzy during fasting, if you're doing a juice fast.

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Beware of the breakdown of tissues and electrolyte loss. Include your doctor's advice and care in your fasting experience.

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Those suffering from eating disorders of any kind should not fast.

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Don't boast when you fast. Matthew 6:17 When you fast don't tell anybody. But your Heavenly Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

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