Fasting 101
A guide to understanding and practicing spiritual fasting
What is Fasting?
Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food, drink, or other activities for a spiritual purpose. It is a practice found throughout Scripture, used by believers to draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and cultivate spiritual discipline.
When we fast, we create space—space to hear, space to feel, space to encounter the Divine in ways that our daily routines often obscure.
Why Fast?
Fasting is not about earning God's favor or proving our devotion. It is about positioning ourselves to receive what He already offers—His presence, His wisdom, His peace.
Through fasting, we:
- • Quiet the noise of our appetites and distractions
- • Sharpen our spiritual sensitivity
- • Practice surrender and dependence on God
- • Create margin for prayer and reflection
Benefits of Fasting
Spiritual "Consecration" (Setting It Apart)
In the Bible, the "first fruits" or the beginning of a thing belongs to God. Fasting at the start of a venture is an act of consecration—you are physically demonstrating that you want this project to be built on God's foundation, not just your own effort.
The Benefit: It shifts the burden of success from your shoulders to God's. You are essentially saying, "Lord, unless You build the house, the builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). This invites divine favor and peace rather than anxiety and striving.
Building the "Grit" Muscle
New projects always hit resistance. There will be days when you want to quit or take the easy road. Fasting is a training ground for self-discipline.
The Benefit: If you can command your body to say "no" to food (its most basic survival instinct), you build the mental fortitude to say "no" to distractions, laziness, and compromise in your business. It builds the discipline required to sustain a long-term vision.
Divine Strategy vs. Human Planning
New ventures require hundreds of critical decisions. While business plans are good, divine insight is better. Fasting quiets the noise of the world and your own physical appetites, making you more sensitive to the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit.
The Benefit: You are more likely to receive creative "downloads," unexpected solutions to problems, and wisdom on which path to take. Many believers report receiving their clearest specific direction for their life's work during a fast.
Overcoming "Decision Fatigue"
Starting something new is mentally exhausting. The biological "brain fog" caused by sugar highs and digestion can cloud your judgment.
The Benefit: As discussed, the mental clarity from fasting (and ketosis) sharpens your cognitive function. It allows you to make high-stakes decisions with a calm, focused mind rather than a reactive, emotional one.
The Biblical Precedent of "Before the Beginning"
Scripture shows a clear pattern of fasting before major assignments began:
Jesus
Fasted 40 days in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. He didn't fast to get power; He fasted to prepare His humanity for the assignment.
Nehemiah
Fasted and prayed before he approached the King to get permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Paul & Barnabas
The church fasted and prayed before sending them out on their first missionary journey:
"While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.' Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
— Acts 13:2-3 NASB
THE FAST: RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH
Complete Fast from Solid Food
*Optional WATER ONLY
If you're experienced with fasting, and need a challenge to truly deny yourself. We encourage everyone to try at least 5 days with water only (preferably the first five days).
Fresh Juice! (Low Sugar Focus)
Press or blend fresh produce to keep nutrients consistent during the fast. *Add back at least 1/3 of the pulp if you're juicing, particularly if you're juicing fruit. Fiber helps slow the absorption of any sugar present.
Reset insulin sensitivity and support real healing. Limit or avoid apple juices or other very sweet fruits. Lean on vegetable-based and low-sugar juices.
The Physical Reset: Why We Fast
Fasting is not merely the absence of food; it is the presence of healing. By pausing the constant work of digestion, we liberate the body's resources to perform deep maintenance that is impossible to achieve while eating.
Digestive Rest & Repair
Digestion consumes a massive amount of our daily energy. Fasting gives the gut a critical holiday, allowing the body to redirect that energy toward repairing tissues and boosting the immune system.
Cellular Renewal (Autophagy)
In the absence of incoming calories, the body initiates autophagy—a self-cleaning process where cells hunt down and recycle damaged components, proteins, and viruses. It is biological "house cleaning" at the deepest level.
Metabolic Reset (Insulin Control)
Constant eating keeps insulin levels high, promoting fat storage and inflammation. Fasting drops insulin to baseline levels, reversing insulin resistance and flipping the metabolic switch to burn stored fat for fuel.
Systemic Anti-Inflammation
Fasting dramatically lowers inflammatory markers in the blood. For athletes and high-performers, this translates to reduced joint pain, faster recovery, and the lifting of "brain fog" for sharper mental clarity.
Types of Fasts
Complete Fast
Abstaining from all food and drink except water. This is typically done for shorter periods (24-72 hours) and should be approached with wisdom and medical consideration.
Liquid Fast
Abstaining from solid food while consuming liquids such as fresh juices, vegetable broths, soups, and water. This allows the digestive system to rest while still providing essential nutrients and hydration.
What We Are Doing: No solid food. Juices, soups, broths, and water are the main liquids every day for the duration of the fast. This approach supports both spiritual focus and physical renewal.
Partial Fast (Daniel Fast)
Abstaining from certain foods—often meat, sweets, or processed foods—while eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. This can be sustained for longer periods.
Sugar Fast
Removing all added sugars and sweeteners from your diet. This includes desserts, sodas, processed foods with hidden sugars, and artificial sweeteners.
Intermittent Fast
Fasting only during specific hours of the day (such as sunrise to sunset). This creates daily rhythms of discipline and dependence.
Media/Technology Fast
Abstaining from screens, social media, or entertainment to reduce distraction and create space for spiritual practices.
How to Fast
1. Choose Your Fast
Select a type of fast that is appropriate for your health, schedule, and spiritual goals. If you have medical conditions, consult a doctor before fasting from food.
2. Set Your Intention
Why are you fasting? What are you seeking from God? Write down your intention and return to it throughout your fast.
3. Prepare Your Heart
Begin with prayer. Ask God to meet you in this practice and to reveal what He wants to teach you.
4. Replace, Don't Just Remove
When you feel hunger or the urge to reach for what you're fasting from, turn to prayer, Scripture, or worship instead. Let the redirect become a reminder to seek God.
5. Break Your Fast Gently
When your fast is complete, return to eating slowly and mindfully. Give thanks for the nourishment and for what God revealed during your fast.
Important Reminders
• Fasting is not a competition. Your fast is between you and God.
• Remember your "why"—the reason you dedicated this fast to God. When the journey becomes difficult, return to that purpose. This is your offering to Him, a sacred commitment that transcends temporary discomfort. Let your devotion to God anchor you when your resolve wavers.
• Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with certain medical conditions should not fast from food without medical guidance.
Ready to Begin?
Now that you understand the practice of fasting, you're ready to begin your 22-day journey through the book of Revelation.