Methods of Fasting

The first thing that comes to mind when the word “fasting” is used is not eating, but there many other ways to fast. It is important that if a person is diabetic or has some other health condition where a physician has recommended a certain diet or dietary guidelines, they should not fast from food without medical supervision. It could be dangerous. And, even when it comes to food, there are a number of different ways to do it.

Fasting from Food

1. One may fast entirely, from both food and water. This is mentioned in the Bible several times. It should not be done more than a day or two.

2. More commonly, one may fast from food, while drinking copious amounts of water. Some people may drink juices or other clear liquids. This sort of fast should not be longer than a day or two for a beginner, but many people can fast three days or even longer if they are in good shape. Do not attempt a fast like this without checking with your health care professional.

3. A simpler way to fast, especially for people who haven’t tried it before, or who are pregnant or in weakened condition but not actually ill, is to have one small, simple meal (for example fruit, nuts, and grains) for breakfast and then take nothing else (except water) the rest of the day. This sort of fast can be carried on much longer, if a person is in good health.

4. A Jewish and also Muslim form of fasting is to fast during the daylight hours and eat after sundown. Muslims do this for an entire month each year.

5. You could choose a food or category of food to abstain from: sweets, dairy products, meat or other rich foods. One generally chooses a food which is a temptation, because one of the reasons for fasting is to gain greater self-control.

A teenager, wishing to fast and pray for a six-week evangelism outreach, combined nearly all the fasts above. First, she took only water for three days. The times she would have been eating meals, she spent in prayer. For the rest of that week, she ate a bread, fruit and vegetable diet, with one glass of milk at breakfast. Throughout the remainder of the six-week period, she abstained from all forms of sweets, using the desire to eat the jelly, desserts, etc., that she saw in the school cafeteria each day as a prompt to pray for the evangelism campaign. This forty days, or so, became a period of special spiritual growth in her life, which she never forgot.

Fasting from Other Things

There may be a medical or other reason why someone cannot fast in the traditional fashion. Or one may simply desire a different kind of blessing. The truth is, a fast can have a lot to do with self-control, and there are an infinite number of ways we could all use more self-control in our lives.

1. Stay away from television.

2. Do not watch or participate in a favorite sports event.

3. Don’t read fiction or story books.

4. Spend time not doing or thinking about a particular hobby.

5. Don’t tell jokes.

6. Do not engage in casual conversations.

7. Do not make sarcastic remarks.

8. Do not make any statements of criticism of anyone or anything.

9. Do on engage in video games.

10. Do not take naps during the day.

11. Do not read the comics page or read the newspaper at all.

A couple might agree to abstain from sexual activity for a period of time, but only if both partners are participating in the fast. This is best done if the two are fasting and praying for the same spiritual goal.

Group Fasting

Many times in the Bible when a whole community or group was called to fast together. Local churches sometimes have a day of fasting and prayer, remaining in the church building and praying and singing together all Sabbath afternoon, or even all night. If this is done, it is advisable to offer a simple, light soup supper or something similar, for those who cannot fast all day. Church leaders must do their best to see no one is pressured or shamed into joining the fast. It will be of less benefit if some are there just because they think they have to be.

1. During a national day of prayer

2. A special Sabbath or other event requested by church leaders

3. A group within a larger congregation praying for a special goal

4. A fast from television or some other secular activity for a week