As followers of Christ, we should take time to fast. Jesus did not say, “If you fast” but rather, "When you fast..." (Matthew 6:17). Jesus said, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast" (Matthew 9:15b). During Christ’s own 40 day fast in the wilderness, He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4b). There are so many beneficial reasons for Christians to fast. We can connect with the Lord, grow in our relationship with God, focus on Him, and even learn how to rely on Him alone.

1. A Time to Connect with God

Fasting provides a way to grow in your faith and develop a deep connection with the Lord. You can show the Lord how you are submitting to him and repent for things you have done. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster (Joel 2:12-13). Fasting is almost always combined with praying because when we give something up for a set time, we can exchange the time spent preparing a meal and eating with time spent talking and listening to Jesus.

2. A Time to Focus on God

Fasting is one way to show how God comes first in our lives. By saying “no” to certain things, we can also say “yes” to Christ. Give something up that is distracting you from the Lord and begin to hunger and thirst for what is good and true. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

3. A Time to Rely on God

Fasting provides a way to have dependence on God. We are blessed with easy access to food, running water, and so many blessings. When we intentionally deny ourselves from something we enjoy, we can be reminded how good God is to us. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

There are different ways to fast. A Biblical "total" fast is water only. A "partial" fast can also be very effective.  Daniel did a partial fast by eating “no delicacies, no meat or wine” for 21 days (Daniel 10:3). A "partial" fast could be giving up anything for a while. Deny yourself in some way that is significant to you and replace this time with devoted prayer and Bible reading.

The Bible does not require of Christians any specific times or amounts of fasting.

(Note: Before fasting from food, you should check with your Doctor.  Some people should not fast: pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions like Diabetes, etc..  Persons in these situations can substitute by giving up something else. We have provided some examples below of different ways you can fast over the next 40 days. 

Some Questions to ask when Considering How You Should Fast over the next 40 days:

1. When I wake up on the morning after the fast, how will I be different?

2. Is there a sin or habit that is getting in the way of my relationship with the Lord and how will I address it over the next 40 days?

3. Is there anyone I need to pursue reconciliation with and/or ask forgiveness?

4. What are some practical steps I can take to have time for daily contemplation?

5. What spiritual discipline do I need to improve or want to try?

6. Why am I giving this particular thing up over the next 40 days and how does giving it up draw me closer to the Lord?

7. What Scripture verse am I going to repeat over and over when self-denial gets hard?

8. Will it be necessary or helpful for me to share the nature of my fast with others or should I keep it private?

Here are a few ideas:

Do NOT try and do them all at once. Pick 1-2 things to fast from during this time. If you choose food, pick 1 or 2 spans of time over the next 40 days.

1. Eat Less - Fasting in Some Way from Food

• Meat. Give up meat for 40 days or certain days during the week. Whatever it is, make it meaningful to you.

• Soda. It’s not good for you anyway. Make water your only beverage for 40 days.

• Pizza. Are you obsessed with it? Give it up.

• Sugar. Too much sugar causes high blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, liver disease and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Enough said. 

• Dairy. This means milk, cheese, lasagna, etc.

• Your morning latte and all forms of caffeine. Save the money and give with your tithes and offerings or pick a Kingdom project to give to.

• Replace one of your mealtimes with reading the Bible. 

• Bread.

• Gluten. Your body may be reacting negatively because of how much gluten you consume. This may be a great time to take your health seriously and give it up. 

• Alcohol. Yes, wine is included in this category. ALL FORMS OF ALCOHOL. 

• Snacks. Do you have something sugary you regularly eat between meals? Is it hindering your health?

• Dining out. Any form of fast food and/or restaurants. Give up eating out for 40 days and donate the money you save to ... [fill in the blank].

• Fast like Daniel (Dan. 10:3). Many people do the Daniel Fast by abstaining from meat, dairy, sugar, yeast, caffeine, and refined grains for 21 days.

• Water Fast. Give up food and drink plenty of water for a selected number of days and become completely dependent on the Lord. (Here is a helpful guide)

2. Unplug - Fasting from Electronic Distractions

• Electronics. Get off your game app and play a puzzle instead, or pick something else that doesn't have cords, screens or computer chips. 

• TV, Netflix, Hulu. All forms of watching tv, movies or any of your shows. Are the shows you’re watching hindering your relationship with God or not? Have these forms of escape taken the place of any quality time with God, family and friends?

• Family movie night. Trade watching movies or TV as a family for a game night or something else that requires in-person engagement.

• Your phone. Instead of having it in your hand 24 hours a day, give it up. As soon as you get home from work, dock it somewhere in the house. Keep it out of your bedroom. Make a rule for everyone to leave their phones off at dinner, so you can all have a conversation instead. Just because it’s your only source of communication doesn’t mean you have to ignore phone calls. Tell your friends and family you are giving up your phone at 6 p.m. so they know how to get a hold of you. 

• Social Media. All platforms. Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook. ALL. OF. IT. Is it taking precedence over time with Jesus, friends, and family? Is it making you feel insecure? It’s time.

• Excessive video game playing. Your Fortnite account will still be there when the 40 days are over.

• Music. All forms of music except worship music.