Prayer WITH fasting defined

Prayer with Fasting partners us with Jesus and his desire for us to be one with Him and the Father. When we give up food for a time to focus and connect with Jesus, we obey Jesus’ declaration, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every words that comes from the Father.” We receive power from Holy Spirit as we rely on Him during prayer with fasting. 

“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every words that comes from the Father.”

- Matthew 4:4

We invite you to join us for an all church Daniel Fast beginning Sunday, January 5, 2025 through Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Why should you fast?

Prayer with fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old & New Testament eras. The Bible records at least two occasions when Moses fasted for 40 days. Jesus also fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast as well. He said, “when you fast” not “if you fast.”

Fasting with prayer can restore your “first love” Jesus Christ & result in a more intimate relationship with Him. It is a Biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I humble myself through fasting.”

Prayer with Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal the true spirit condition of the human hearts, resulting in exposing wounds, unforgiveness & brokenness, leading to repentance and a transformed life. It increases our love for God’s Word & God’s Presence.

Types of fasts

Daniel Fast

The Daniel fast is probably one of the most commonly referred to fasts; however, within the Daniel fast there is room for broad interpretation. Daniel 1 states that he ate only vegetables and water. In Daniel 10, it states that he ate no rich (or choice) foods, as well as no red meat or wine. So, based on these two verses, we can see that either of these or combinations of the two, constitute a Daniel fast.

Steps to Complete the Daniel Fast

Step 1: Be Specific

Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet—he defined the problem immediately:

- The king’s food was against dietary laws.

- Daniel and his friends had vowed not to drink wine.

- The king’s food had been offered to idols and demons.

Step 2: Fast as a Spiritual Commitment

The Daniel Fast is rooted in a deep spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).

Step 3: Reflect Inner Desire with Outer Discipline

Many of us desire better health, but discipline often stands in the way. The physical health you seek through fasting may be more than just an answer to prayer—it is linked to choices and commitments:

Food choices: Avoid foods that hinder health.

Spiritual commitment: Maintain constant prayer throughout the fast.

Time commitment: If you commit to a certain length of time, follow through (e.g., fasting for 10 days means not stopping on Day 9).

Testimony commitment: Your fast is a declaration of faith that you trust God to heal and restore. Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.

Step 4: Pray to Perceive Sin’s Role in Poor Health

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13-16).

Sin may be connected to sickness.

Poor health can result from rebellion or wrong intake (e.g., harmful substances).

Repentance can open the door to healing.

Elders have a role in both spiritual and physical restoration.

Prayer, repentance, and faith are essential to health.

Step 5: Fast as a Statement of Faith to Others

Daniel’s request for only vegetables and water was a bold statement of faith. He trusted God to honor his obedience and was confident others would see the results.

Step 6: Learn the Effects of the Food You Eat

Take time to understand how food impacts your body. When you recognize the effects of unhealthy food, it becomes easier to say no and honor God with your choices.

Step 7: Yield All Results to God

Daniel’s approach was humble: “As you see fit, deal with your servants” (Daniel 1:13). Trust God with the results of your fast, knowing He is faithful.

Food Guidelines for the Daniel Fast

Daniel 1:12: “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”

Daniel 10:3 KJV: “I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

When fasting, if you have questions about specifics, seek the Lord in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions. Let your fast be an act of worship and surrender, trusting God to lead you every step of the way.

Juice Fast

A Juice fast is simply consuming vegetable/fruit juices and water instead of solid food. Many people include whey protein in their liquid plan as well. Even if you choose not to make your entire fast liquids only, substituting one or two meals for liquids could be a great alternative.

Specific Food or Meal Fast

In this type of fast you omit a specific item(s) from your meal plans. For example, you may choose to eliminate all red meat, processed/fast food, or sweets. This fast can also be a great solution for people with specific dietary needs or medical conditions that may cause certain limitations.

Entertainment Fast

While fasting typically refers to refraining from specific food items, you may also find it extremely beneficial to fast from a certain regular activity or certain habits. This might include things such as television, social media, and the like.

Make your commitment

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Before you fast, we encourage you to partner with God first and decide the type of fast you will undertake and how much time each day you will devote to prayer & reading His Word. Making these commitments ahead of time will help sustain your fast.

fasting safely

As you begin your fast, you may hear from concerned loved ones and friends who urge you to protect your health…and, they are right. It would help if you protected your health. We want to encourage you that if done properly, fasting will not only prove to be a spiritual blessing but a physical blessing as well.

You may have a physical problem that would make fasting unwise or dangerous. If that is the case, include your doctor in your decision on how to fast. Also, if you are under any type of medication, you may want to talk with your doctor before changing your regime.

fasting and eating disorders

If you have struggled with an eating disorder, the situation is a battle that you can win through Christ (Philippians 4:13). If your method of fasting is going to cause you to obsess about what you eat in any way, you will either need to change your approach or your mindset. If giving up food is a stumbling block to you, then consider the other ways of fasting that have been mentioned that do not include food. There are many distractions and things that we use to stay in control that we could eliminate from our daily routine that does not include food.

Ask the Lord, He will help you.