A Guide on Fasting

this Fasting Guide:
Pg.1: What to expect and not expect on day 1,2,3...tips: physically & spirtually
Pg.2/3: Helpful Hints for Your Fast (Physical & Spiritual)
Pg.4/5: Options for Your Fast: Full, Partial or Secondary
Pg.6: How to Successfully Break Your Fast

What to expect and not expect on day one, two,three... tips:

Participation in regular fasting as a lifestyle necessitates a healthy lifestyle on days when food is not being
fasted, and should include exercise and a proper diet. A “fasted lifestyle” is a disciplined lifestyle, in
which we steward our bodies and time with wisdom and diligence. Fasting is not only abstention; it is an
exchange where we abstain from certain things in order to “feast” on God’s Word and prayer, whereby
the abundance of His grace is made more readily available to us. When undertaken with this type of
commitment, a fasted lifestyle is sustainable on a long-term basis, just as it was for Daniel and his friends
(Dan. 1).

The Benefits of Fasting
While the physical impact of fasting is real, the spiritual benefits of fasting are undeniable. Any fast undertaken
must be done with spiritual wholeheartedness and wisdom when dealing with our physical body; we must count the
cost honestly and honor the temple of the Holy Spirit. Whether we are partaking or abstaining, everything should be
for the glory of God.

Physically Preparing for a Fast That Extends More Than Two Days
 Prepare your body for the fast and prevent constipation during and after the fast by eating certain
preventative foods at least two days beforehand (even longer before an extended fast), such as:
fresh fruit and raw vegetables, fruit or vegetable juices, oatmeal, etc
 Eat smaller meals a few days prior to the fast
 Avoid high-fat and sugary foods before the fast
 Make your commitment and determine the length. You can fast in many different ways. Pray
and ask God what he will give you faith for in terms of the duration of the fast.

 A Daniel fast, with vegetables and water, is good for those carrying a heavy workload
 

A fruit or vegetable juice fast allows you to enter into fasting but still gives you enough energy to
function. Many people have done a 40-day juice fast. If you have sugar sensitivities or
problems (e.g. diabetes), consult your doctor before attempting this (or any other) fast

 A water-only fast has been undertaken by many people. We would not encourage this without
strong medical supervision, particularly in the case of young people. Depending on your weight
and metabolism, you can go forty days on water alone
 

A total fast is without food or water. Do not go beyond three days without water. Discuss your
plans with your doctor, church leaders, and spouse or parents. We do not encourage this type of
fast without specific confirmation from the Lord through your church leadership or 

Minors/Children
 Minors who desire to fast are encouraged to consider non-food abstentions, such as
TV, movies, Internet surfing, video games, and other entertainment. If older teenagers do fast food under
their parents’ supervision, we encourage them to use juice and protein drinks to sustain them, out of
consideration for their health and metabolism.

Helpful Hints for Your Fast (Physical)

 It is wise to abstain from strong stimulants such as caffeinated and sugary drinks during a
fast, including the artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks. Also, avoid soy protein drinks,
which have been known to cause health problems during a fast

 Expect some physical discomforts because of the detoxification process, especially on the
second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains or dizziness. Withdrawal from caffeine and
sugar may cause headaches, but it is a part of the detoxification process. Physical
annoyances may also include weariness, tiredness, nausea and sleepiness.

Helpful Hints for Your Fast (Spiritual)
 Seek advice and permission before the fast. Seek medical advice before the fast, especially if
you have any existing medical concerns or conditions. If you are under 18 years of age, discuss
your desire to fast with your parents. Spiritual covering, submission, and unity are important
factors when fasting. Discuss your plans with your church leaders. Remember that fasting is an
attitude of the heart! Ask them if they would consider fasting with you.

 Fast and pray in order to humble yourself and purify your worship. In fasting we are not trying to
get something from God, but seeking to realign our hearts’ affections with His. In fasting, we can
more readily say, “We love you, Lord, more than anything in the world.” Lust of any kind is
perverted worship, but fasting enables us to cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts from every other
rival.
 Don’t boast about your fast. Let people know you won’t be eating only if necessary (Mt. 6:16–18)
 Do the fast with someone else. Two are better than one! We encourage parents and kids to
consider fasting together. Several generations fasting together has a powerful impact
 Have a clear target as your prayer focus. Without a vision, the
people perish. Write down your vision, so you can run with it (Hab. 2:2)

 Take time to pray and read the Word. This may seem obvious, but busyness and distractions can
keep you from devotions. Reading books with testimonies of victories gained through fasting will
encourage you, too. Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince, Fast Forward
by Lou Engle, and God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis are just some of the books about fasting
that are available

 Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, 

 Prepare for opposition. On the day of your fast, you can bet that donuts will be at the office or in
class. Your spouse (or your mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favorite meals. Press
through. Many times you may feel more tension build at home. Satan tempted Jesus on the fast,
and we must expect the same. Discouragement may come in like a flood, but recognize the source
and take your stand on the victory of Christ
 If you fail, don’t give in to condemnation. The “to fast or not to fast” dilemma can be a major tool
of the enemy. Even though you may fail several times, God always extends grace. Just hit the
“delete” button and continue on your fast
 Feel free to rest a lot and continue to exercise with supervision
 Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do not listen to the lie that nothing is
happening. It is our conviction that every fast done in faith will be

S

 Break your fast gradually. At this point you will need to exercise watchful self-control. Break
your fast on a meal that is light and easy to digest (i.e., a pound of grapes, a shredded apple,
watermelon or steamed vegetables)

 When breaking a fast of ten days or more, the break-in period should be extended one day
for every four days of fasting.
 A fast of three days or more should never be broken by eating a normal meal (including animal
proteins, bread, sugar, dairy and processed foods) because these heavy foods put a severe strain
and shock on the digestive organs which have been resting throughout the fast. Eating too heavily
after a fast can produce serious discomfort (stomach cramps, nausea and weakness) and can
nullify the physical benefits of fasting; it can also cause serious irreversible complications
 After breaking an extended fast, continue drinking fruit or vegetable juices because the stomach
is continuing to detoxify.

 During any fast exceeding two days, your stomach will shrink. Do not over-expand it again by
overeating. If you have been prone to eat too heavily, guard against going back to this habit. If
you train yourself to eat more lightly, your stomach will adjust itself accordingly
 While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following:
 1st–3rd day after the fast (increase amount of days for extended fast) — Eat fruit and
raw/steamed vegetables only. Example meals for the first few days are a pound of fruit, a baked
or boiled potato without butter, steamed vegetables, or a vegetable-only salad without oil-based
dressing. Avoid bananas for the first few days; they have no juice in them and can easily
cause constipation.

 Thereafter — you may return to heavier foods such as animal proteins, but maintaining a healthy
diet after the fast will promote lifelong health and allow you to fast correctly in the future
 Take extra care in breaking a water fast. Begin with drinking fruit or vegetable juices and
gradually ease into eating fruit and steamed vegetables
 It is important after a fast to begin to discern between real hunger and cravings so you do not feed
you