FASTING 2025
JAN 5th-26th

The goal of fasting is to draw closer to God. Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Giving God the beginning portion of the year helps us prepare our hearts for all the things God desires to do in our lives.  Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

Step 1: Clarify the Purpose of Your Fast

Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objective for your prayer fast.  This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. 

Step 2: Specify the Nature of Your Fast

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14, 15)
For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it.
Before you fast, decide the following up front:
• How long you will fast - one meal, one day, one week, several weeks, certain days (Beginners should start slowly,
building up to longer fasts)                                                                                                          
 • The type of fast God wants you to undertake - discussed in the Types of Fasts section below.                                          
• What physical or social activities you will restrict                                                                
• How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word                                                                                                      

Step 3: Prepare your Heart, Mind, and Body for Your Fast

Fasting is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. It is planned and we must prepare. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance.
Fasting Focus Handout:
Click the file below

Four Types of Fasts

More fasting resources below: 

Scripture References:
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 9:14-15
Luke 18: 9-14
Acts 27:33-37
Nehemiah 9:1-3