Fasting Resources

*HEALTH WARNING* A rhythm of fasting has been shown to benefit many people. However,  from the outset, understand that we do not advocate fasting for any type of dietary reason.   If you have a history of any type of eating disorder, please talk with a member of the Leadership Team.  We advise you to seek God and submit to your leadership in consultation with your doctor regarding fasting of any kind if you have any a medical condition or are on medication.

Rend Your Hearts.  Rend The Heavens.

Fasting is just one spiritual discipline.
 Spiritual disciplines are practices that we engage in to
help us more deeply engage with our spiritual life.
Examples of spiritual disciplines include prayer, fasting,
 simplicity, solitude, and silence among others.

Fasting Guidelines

Materials Needed:
Bible
Prayer List

Preparation
Write down when you will begin your fast and when you will end it.
Write down when you will carve time to pray during the day/s.
Write down what you will pray for during your fast.
Contact at least one person you will pray with during your fast.

When Breaking Your Fast:
Do thank God.
Do make smart food choices.
Do share with someone the things you sensed from God.
Do obey and make a plan to continue to obey anything you sensed from God.
Do plan your next time to fast and pray.
Do not gorge yourself on your favorite foods.
Do not talk about how horrible fasting was.
Do not expect anything in your life to instantaneously change
7 Practical Steps for Fasting

“I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil and usher in a great revival”  

- Bill Bright

When Heart Issues Surface

The Disciplines make room for the Word and Spirit to work in us, and they permit destructive feelings to be perceived and dealt with. 

Some  Heart Issues That May Arise:
●  Anger
●  Lust
●  Defensiveness
●  Judgment
●  False Comforts

What This Means
Resist self-condemnation when a frustrating heart issues surfaces.
Ask God to change you (sanctification).
What To Do
Pray! Talk with God.

Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. - (James 4:8)

Sample prayer if anger surfaces:
"Father, as my anger does not please You (James 1), produce what does please You in my heart. I repent for harboring anger inside and pray - set me free from this sin. Would You replace anger with joy and blessing others? Amen."


“A major service of spiritual disciplines (ex. fasting) is to cause issues
buried in our will and character to surface and be dealt with.”

- Dallas Willard

Other Fasting Resources:

Papa Joe did a comprehensive practical teaching on fasting. He has provided notes here. This is worth looking at whether you practise a fasted lifestyle regularly or this is your very first time! 
Click for Joe's Teaching

Bill Bright

This handy reference guide will help make your time with the Lord more spiritually rewarding. It provides simple steps for beginning and ending your fast, suggest a practical plan for prayer, and offers practical information about how to fast.
Click for 7 Simple Steps to Fasting

John Piper

Do you have a hunger for God? There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. Piper invites us to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with a simple fast:   "This much, O God, I want you."
Click for E-Book

Richard Foster

Foster shows how areas of Discipline contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study offer avenues of personal examination and change.  Click below for the chapter on Fasting. 
Click for Fasting Chapter