TYPE OF FASTS
FULL FAST
This fast calls for drinking only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option. Always consult your doctor first before entering this type of fast.
SELECTIVE FAST
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
PARTIAL FAST
This fast is sometimes called the Jewish Fast and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or from sunup to sundown.
SOUL FAST
This fast is common for those who do not have much experience fasting food, who have health issues that prevent them from fasting food, or who wish to refocus certain areas of their life that are out of balance.
MEDIA FAST
You might select to abstain from using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast, and then choose to carefully bring that element back into your life in an orderly fashion at the conclusion of the fast.
Scripture References: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3
FULL FAST
This fast calls for drinking only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option. Always consult your doctor first before entering this type of fast.
SELECTIVE FAST
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
PARTIAL FAST
This fast is sometimes called the Jewish Fast and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or from sunup to sundown.
SOUL FAST
This fast is common for those who do not have much experience fasting food, who have health issues that prevent them from fasting food, or who wish to refocus certain areas of their life that are out of balance.
MEDIA FAST
You might select to abstain from using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast, and then choose to carefully bring that element back into your life in an orderly fashion at the conclusion of the fast.
Scripture References: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3
FASTING FAQ’S
CAN CHILDREN FAST?
The best way to show your children the power of fasting is to lead by example. If they want to participate in fasting or if you want to have a family fast, consider giving up desserts or soft drinks. In addition to giving up a food item, you could also give up television as a family and spend that time reading and discussing Bible stories.
WHAT IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION?
Consult your doctor before starting any fast. Decide together what is possible. If your health condition prohibits you from fasting food, try fasting something else and concentrate on prayer and Bible study.
WHAT IF I START AND CAN’T FINISH OUT THE FAST…HAVE I FASTED FOR NOTHING?
Seeking God through prayer and fasting is never a waste of time. When you make the effort, God takes notice. Just determine within your heart that you will make an even better effort next time. Or try finshing up with a partial fast.
I FORGOT AND ATE SOMETHING THAT WASN’T ON MY FAST…DO I START AGAIN?
Think of fasting as a marathon, rather than a sprint. Don’t give up! If you fall down, get up and keep trying. Conquering “king stomach” is difficult, but you’ll make it.
DO I CONTINUE TO EXERCISE WHILE FASTING?
Moderate exercise is good. But it is best to always consult a doctor about fasting and exercise. If you are on a complete fast, you may not have the energy for a high level of exercise.
CAN CHILDREN FAST?
The best way to show your children the power of fasting is to lead by example. If they want to participate in fasting or if you want to have a family fast, consider giving up desserts or soft drinks. In addition to giving up a food item, you could also give up television as a family and spend that time reading and discussing Bible stories.
WHAT IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION?
Consult your doctor before starting any fast. Decide together what is possible. If your health condition prohibits you from fasting food, try fasting something else and concentrate on prayer and Bible study.
WHAT IF I START AND CAN’T FINISH OUT THE FAST…HAVE I FASTED FOR NOTHING?
Seeking God through prayer and fasting is never a waste of time. When you make the effort, God takes notice. Just determine within your heart that you will make an even better effort next time. Or try finshing up with a partial fast.
I FORGOT AND ATE SOMETHING THAT WASN’T ON MY FAST…DO I START AGAIN?
Think of fasting as a marathon, rather than a sprint. Don’t give up! If you fall down, get up and keep trying. Conquering “king stomach” is difficult, but you’ll make it.
DO I CONTINUE TO EXERCISE WHILE FASTING?
Moderate exercise is good. But it is best to always consult a doctor about fasting and exercise. If you are on a complete fast, you may not have the energy for a high level of exercise.
21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING SCHEDULE
Here is a suggested schedule to help focus and take full advantage of your fast. This schedule has been used from Chris Hodges book, Pray First.
Week 1: All About Jesus
Sunday Focus: The Lords Day (Exodus 20:8): Go to church, rest and reflect
Monday Focus: Dependance on Him. Seek and rely on God’s spirit. (Zechariah 4:6)
Tuesday Focus: Surrender to Him. Surrender all areas of your life to God so draw closer to Him and grow closer to Jesus. (Mark 8:34-35)
Wednesday Focus: Worship Him. Worship the Lord and think about His character. (John 4:23)
Thursday Focus Broken Before Him. Confess your sins and experience God’s grace. (1 John 1:9)
Friday Focus: Listen to Him. Spend time listening to God. Write down what He speaks to you. (John 10:4)
Saturday Focus: Casting your cares on Him. Trust God with everything you are holding: past, present, future. (1 Peter 5:7)
Week 2: God’s Work In Me
Sunday: The Lords Day: Go to church, rest and reflect
Monday Focus: My Freedom. Thank God for the freedom you have in Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
Tuesday Focus: My Relationships. Pray for the important people in your life: family, loved ones, and friends. (Nehemiah 4:14)
Wednesday Focus: My Growth. Ask God to help you grow in your walk in with and in your faith. (Romans 12:1-2)
Thursday Focus: My Calling. Thank the Lord for the calling He has placed on your life to serve Him with your unique abilities and gifts. (1 Peter 2:9)
Friday Focus: My Healing. Praise God for the ways He has healed you and continues to heal areas of sickness, brokenness, and pain (1 Peter 2:24)
Saturday Focus: My Blessing. Give thanks to God for the abundance of blessing in your life. (Ephesians 1:3)
Week 3: Intercession
Sunday Focus: The Lord’s Day. Go to church, rest, and reflect.
Monday Focus: Our Leaders. Lift up in prayer all those in authority over you: parents, teachers, pastors, government leaders, bosses. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Tuesday Focus: Our Missions. Pray for missionaries and evangelist. Pray for specific individuals you know who are committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus. (Acts 1:8)
Wednesday Focus: Our Church. Ask God to bless, sanctify, and empower His bride, the church, so we can be salt and light to a dark world. Pray for your pastor and church leaders as well as specific ministries you feel led to lift up. (Matthew 16:18)
Thursday Focus: Our Children. Pray for the children in your own family. Pray for the children in your community. Pray for foster children. (Psalm 127:3)
Friday Focus: The Lost. Pray for all those who do not know God. Write their names down. Focus on praying for the lost every day. (2 Peter 3:9)
Saturday Focus: Our Victory. Give thanks and praise for all the incredible things He has shown you over the past 21 days. Get ready for the Greater Things service and pray for continued victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Here is a suggested schedule to help focus and take full advantage of your fast. This schedule has been used from Chris Hodges book, Pray First.
Week 1: All About Jesus
Sunday Focus: The Lords Day (Exodus 20:8): Go to church, rest and reflect
Monday Focus: Dependance on Him. Seek and rely on God’s spirit. (Zechariah 4:6)
Tuesday Focus: Surrender to Him. Surrender all areas of your life to God so draw closer to Him and grow closer to Jesus. (Mark 8:34-35)
Wednesday Focus: Worship Him. Worship the Lord and think about His character. (John 4:23)
Thursday Focus Broken Before Him. Confess your sins and experience God’s grace. (1 John 1:9)
Friday Focus: Listen to Him. Spend time listening to God. Write down what He speaks to you. (John 10:4)
Saturday Focus: Casting your cares on Him. Trust God with everything you are holding: past, present, future. (1 Peter 5:7)
Week 2: God’s Work In Me
Sunday: The Lords Day: Go to church, rest and reflect
Monday Focus: My Freedom. Thank God for the freedom you have in Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
Tuesday Focus: My Relationships. Pray for the important people in your life: family, loved ones, and friends. (Nehemiah 4:14)
Wednesday Focus: My Growth. Ask God to help you grow in your walk in with and in your faith. (Romans 12:1-2)
Thursday Focus: My Calling. Thank the Lord for the calling He has placed on your life to serve Him with your unique abilities and gifts. (1 Peter 2:9)
Friday Focus: My Healing. Praise God for the ways He has healed you and continues to heal areas of sickness, brokenness, and pain (1 Peter 2:24)
Saturday Focus: My Blessing. Give thanks to God for the abundance of blessing in your life. (Ephesians 1:3)
Week 3: Intercession
Sunday Focus: The Lord’s Day. Go to church, rest, and reflect.
Monday Focus: Our Leaders. Lift up in prayer all those in authority over you: parents, teachers, pastors, government leaders, bosses. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Tuesday Focus: Our Missions. Pray for missionaries and evangelist. Pray for specific individuals you know who are committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus. (Acts 1:8)
Wednesday Focus: Our Church. Ask God to bless, sanctify, and empower His bride, the church, so we can be salt and light to a dark world. Pray for your pastor and church leaders as well as specific ministries you feel led to lift up. (Matthew 16:18)
Thursday Focus: Our Children. Pray for the children in your own family. Pray for the children in your community. Pray for foster children. (Psalm 127:3)
Friday Focus: The Lost. Pray for all those who do not know God. Write their names down. Focus on praying for the lost every day. (2 Peter 3:9)
Saturday Focus: Our Victory. Give thanks and praise for all the incredible things He has shown you over the past 21 days. Get ready for the Greater Things service and pray for continued victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57)