What is the purpose of fasting?

1. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that moves us toward God and into the spiritual realm. When we say no to worldly things and yes to spiritual things, it prepares our hearts for God’s answers. 

2. Fasting brings us to total dependence upon God. By intentionally weakening ourselves, we allow Him to become strong in our lives. The trials and battles we face can overwhelm us, but when we surrender those things to Him, He becomes our strength and releases His resources into the situations: that’s when all things become possible.

3. Fasting increases our spiritual alertness and brings clarity to our minds: our sensitivity to God’s voice and to the Word becomes stunningly real and alive in us. We experience peace like never before 

4. It purifies our souls as we set aside time to examine our hearts and allow Him to reveal in us what needs to be changed. This includes repenting, forgiveness, confessing to others, and reaching out for help or guidance. 

1. Why are you fasting? Start with clear goals and write down what you are praying for; it helps to keep you focused and disciplined.

2. Decide what type of fast you will do, when, and what you will eat and the length of the fast. 

3. Set aside a daily time to be with God (prayer and reading the Bible)

4. Remove distractions: set limits on your screen time. Don’t get distracted by the food or trying to follow the plan. Fasting is foremost about our relationship with God, so focus more on Him than the food or the rules.

5. Keep a journal or take notes on anything being revealed during the fast. Note dreams, ideas, strategies, highlighted scriptures, prophetic words, or teachings. Fasting opens up our hearts and minds to God’s thoughts, ignites creativity, and reveals direction and solutions: not only for you, but for others, the church, and the community, etc. 

1. Your soul and body are detoxing, and some common discomforts can occur. However, many will pass after a day or two. 

2. Physically, you may get a headache and feel lightheaded, jittery, tired, and weak. You may feel cold, so plan to wear heavier clothing and take time to rest.

3. Emotionally, you may become super sensitive, easily offended, cranky and impatient. You may have some brain fog. Some of this is part of the detox process, and some of these emotional stresses can occur because you are removing the distractions that certain sins hide behind. 

4. We are conditioned to respond to hunger pangs, so you do not have to give in when your stomach starts to growl. Hunger pangs come in cycles and usually pass within 15-20 minutes. It helps to have a simple and easy, pre-planned strategy to distract you when it happens.

5. Be alert for spiritual attacks. The enemy knows we are weak and will try to take advantage of that. Stay dressed in the Armor of God. Satan came after Jesus while in the desert, and Jesus defeated him by speaking the Word of God. The Word is our weapon; use it!

6. If you get weak and eat, do not get discouraged, and don’t quit. Many people experience weakness and stumble because that is part of the training and discipline. You may have been too stringent in your food choices or time restrictions. You must build up your fasting muscles. God is not disappointed in you. Jesus went after the heart of people, not their deeds, and He is familiar with our weaknesses. He gets it. He’s got you, so keep going!

1. Do not overeat. Re-introduce food gradually, don’t re-engage in bad eating habits and worthless, time-consuming distractions – practice moderation.

2. You should feel energized, renewed and spiritually stronger. You might even feel a little sad that the fast and this experience is ending. Remember, things shifted in the spiritual realm so look for things to happen in this realm.

3. Whatever God downloaded into your heart, be proactive in pursuing it. Be obedient and attentive to the Spirit as He leads you. 

4. Share your experience with someone. Most of the time, fasting brings great breakthroughs, and those things should joyfully be shared to edify and encourage others. But, there may be times when we don’t see or feel it immediately. Don’t be discouraged. Talk with someone about it. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay - Habakkuk 2:3