Starting February 14th, we invite our entire church family to join us for Fasting Fridays—a weekly time dedicated to prayer and fasting. This initiative is designed to help us pause, pursue the Lord with intentionality, and grow both individually and as a united church body.
Each Friday will center around a specific fasting theme, providing focus and direction as we seek God together. Whether you choose to fast from meals, media, or something else, the goal is to create space to connect with God and align our hearts with His purposes.
Let’s step into this time of fasting and prayer with expectation, trusting God to work in us and through us for His glory! Keep an eye out each week for details about the theme and ways to participate.
Fasting FAQ
A: There are numerous reasons to fast: first and foremost, we fast out of the abundance of grace and goodness Christ has shown for us on the Cross. Out of that overflow, we fast so we can grow closer to Christ relationally, to pray for healing and against sickness or danger; or for the salvation of a loved one; and many more. Fasting is not just about getting from God but about drawing near to God. Scripture promises that when we draw near to God He will draw near to us (James 4:8). While fasting is choosing to go without food, you can also choose to abstain from certain things during the fasting period. We recommend prayerfully considering which practice is best for you at this time.
A: Fasting is the practice of voluntarily denying the body, choosing to abstain from food (or other things mentioned later) for a certain period of time so that you can focus more on God, communicate with Him in prayer, and deepen your relationship with Him. It’s a spiritual discipline that helps us to become more like Jesus and to draw closer to the heart of God. Fasting helps us break the power of the flesh in our life – our desires, sins, and cravings – and to feed on the Holy Spirit. The spiritual focus is what separates biblical fasting from other types of popular fasts like intermittent fasting.
A: The purpose of biblical fasting is to become more in line with the voice and will of God. Jesus practiced fasting when he was tempted by Satan. The book of Acts also records believers fasting before they made important decisions. It allows us to take our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ.
Fasting is a way to take the focus off ourselves and put it back on God. Jesus also gave us clear instructions on how to fast because it was meant to be a spiritual breakthrough, not pride.
“When you give up eating, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you” Matthew 6:16-18.
1 John 5:14-15 tells us “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him”. If you have ever been frustrated that your prayers are going unanswered, then it is time to draw closer to God to understand His will. Fasting draws us closer to God.
A: Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Fasting without praying isn’t fasting. It is dieting or deprivation. The only reason to fast is to make space for you to seek the Lord with greater urgency. Instead, we pray when we were supposed to be eating. Use the hunger pangs to remind you to remind yourself you hunger for God. In other words, fasting gives us more time for prayer and prayer helps tear down walls, guides us into spiritual breakthroughs, destroys chains, and gives us clarity of God’s answers that we seek! It is a temporary discipline for this life and age to connect our hearts to Christ and prepare us for when we will encounter Him face to face.
A: When we start a fast, we don’t do it on our strength and will, but God’s. We need to be led by God and be obedient to his choice. Before any personal fast, I encourage you to pray and humbly seek God’s guidance. Be desperate for his wisdom and grace.
While Biblical fasting refers to food. There are a number of ways to fast. Remember, the point is to connect with God on a deeper level. A Fast is about humbling our hearts before God. Fasting and praying are about giving up the thing you seek for satisfaction in order to draw near to God… allowing God to satisfy you. The length of time and what you’re fasting from depends on what you sense God pressing you to do. How long you fast is entirely up to you and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.
Morning:
Begin your day with praise and worship. Read and meditate on God’s Word. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you and ask to be mindful of his presence. Pray for God’s vision and empowerment to do his will.
Noon:
Return to prayer and God’s Word. If possible, take a short prayer walk. Journal what you sense God speaking to you.
Evening:
Get alone with God and seek Him. Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community and our nation’s leaders, for the world’s unreached millions, for your family or other needs.
A: The length of a fast can vary. We will be encouraging fasting as a church on Fridays. The length of that fast should be determined by each individual after praying about how long God would have you fast. Always consult your doctor before beginning a fast.
A: Always consult your doctor before beginning a fast, and follow the medical regimen they prescribe.
A: Fasting should always start with prayer. Seek God’s guidance on the type of and length of your fast. Pour your heart out to Him and ask Him to help with your motives, that they are pleasing to Him. If this is your first time fasting, read key scriptures to help guide you, such as:
- Fasting pleasing to God (also what not to do): Isaiah 58
- How to spend a day fasting: Nehemiah 9:1-3
- A reminder on why we fast: Matthew 6:16-18
A: Christians should fast regularly to deepen their relationship with Christ. The Bible also includes other situations that may call for fasting, such as healing, grief, repentance, spiritual breakthrough, humility, direction, etc.
A: Scriptures on fasting are mentioned in the Bible over 58 times. Persons in the Bible fasted for guidance, protection, healing, work in ministry, repentance and understanding God’s purpose. There are many great examples of fasting in the Bible. Here are a few:
- David fasted for his sick child (2 Samuel 12:14-16)
- Proper fast for healing (Isaiah 58:1-8)
- Healing and restoration (Joel 2)
- To receive spiritual revelation, Daniel fasted (Daniel 9:3-22; 10:2-3)
- Moses receiving instructions and guidance (Exodus 34:28)
- The people of Ninevah, after receiving the warning from Jonah (Jonah 3:4-10)
- The nation was called to render their heart and not their garments in Joel 2:12-17
- Ezra fasted over the unfaithfulness of the exiles (Ezra 10:6)
- Daniel on behalf of the people (Daniel 6:18; 9:3,20)
- Jesus fasted before starting his ministry (Matthew 4:1-2)
- The Apostles fasted before sending Paul and Barnabas out in ministry (Acts 13:1-3)
- Ezra returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple and fasted for protection against enemies on the way. (Ezra 8:21-23)
- Samuel leading the men of Mizpah to a fast during a war with the Philistine. (1 Samuel 7:5-6)
- Esther called for a fast for all Jews before she approached the King (Esther 4:16).
- As a prisoner on his way to Rome, Paul got caught in a storm (Acts 27:13-24).
A: There are a wealth of scriptures to read while fasting. Here are some categories and examples of scriptures to read:
- Scriptures to draw closer with God
- Psalm 42:1-2; 119
- James 4:1-10
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Scriptures for healing
- Isaiah 58:8
- Psalm 107:19-20
- James 5:13-16
- Proverbs 4:10, 20-22
- Scriptures for wisdom
- Ephesians 1:17-23
- Proverbs 3; 4
- Jeremiah 33:3
- Scriptures for grief
- Matthew 5:4
- Psalm 6; 42; 147:3
- Revelation 21:4
- Scriptures for unforgiveness
- Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35
- Ephesians 4:31-32
- Mark 11:25
- Scriptures for guilt
- Psalm 103
- 1 John 1:9
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
- Scriptures to overcome fear or anxiety
- Psalm 23:4; 34:4; 91
- Matthew 6:25-34; 10:28
- 1 Kings 19:1-18
- Isaiah 41:10
- Scriptures for protection
- Psalm 27; 34; 91; 103
- Isaiah 54:15-17
- 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
- Scriptures for guidance
- Proverbs 3:5-35
- Acts 14:23
- Psalm 25:4-5; 32:8
- Isaiah 58:1-11
- Scriptures for answers
- Hebrews 4:12
- James 1:5; 4:1-11
- Psalm 66:18
- Scriptures for success/ provision of needs
- James 4:1-10
- Psalm 23; 79:8
- Hebrews 13:5-8
- Scriptures for anger
- James 1:19-27
- Romans 12:19-21
- Ephesians 4:31-32
- Scriptures for hopelessness
- Matthew 17:14-21; 19:26
- 1 Kings 19:1-1
- Psalm 143
- Scriptures for strength
- Isaiah 40:28-31; 41:8-13
- Exodus 15:2
- 1 Chronicles 16:11
- Scriptures for faith
- Hebrews 11
- James 5:13-20
- Mark 11:20-25
- Scriptures for worry
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Psalm 30
- Philippians 4:5-7