No one fast to rule them all
Once you have your purpose, plan out your fast. People have been fasting for thousands of years in all different ways.
Once you know your purposes for fasting (the ultimate purpose and immediate purposes), consider your health. Consult your doctor, and if it’s time for a checkup, get in there. Fasting can aggravate medical conditions and you don’t want to find that out the hard way. A few reasons you may not be able to fast safely include a myriad of health concerns: weakness and anemia, a history of anorexia or bulimia, tumors, cancer, heart disease, chronic organ problems, diabetes, pregnancy, nursing—you get the idea. There are many legitimate reasons to not abstain from food.
If fasting from food is not a reality for you, pray about what God wants you to do. He knows your limitations and won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of options that do not involve food. You can fast from technology, entertainment, music, hobbies— the list is endless. Remember, the important part is your motive! Use the time you would normally spend eating/snowboarding/facebooking/whatever, and spend it with Jesus.
Thousands of years of fasting could teach us something
There isn’t one particular formula for fasting. It’s a personal decision. How you fast, how long you fast, and what you fast from are all individual choices, none of which are as important as your reason for fasting. God doesn’t command everyone to go forty days without food. Ask him what he would have you do and start slowly, fasting for one meal, or one day. Avoid jumping into an extended fast without building up to it first.
In the Bible, we find several types of fasts. The partial fast is illustrated by Daniel, who abstained from delicacies like meat and wine (Daniel 1:8-16). You could opt for plain food and drink, like vegetables and water.
An absolute fast means not eating or drinking anything at all. Paul did an absolute fast after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9). There are instances of long-term absolute fasts, such as Moses (Deut. 9:9) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), who both fasted absolutely for 40 days. This sort of fast is so extreme that you should not do it unless you are absolutely sure God is leading you to do so. Don’t worry! If God wants you to do something this extreme, he knows how to make it so clear to you that there is no room for uncertainty.
The most common fast involves not eating any sort of food, but drinking plenty of water and juice. Even this can take a toll on your body if done for an extended length of time. Unlike an absolute fast, however, juice provides your body with some energy. It’s a good idea to stay away from caffeine and sugar, because these substances can have negative effects when not countered by solid foods. This will mean scouring the aisle for 100% juice or juicing your own fruits and vegetables.
Ultimately, pray, pick the one that seems best, and think about your motives. God won’t be impressed if your fast is more difficult. He’s already pleased with you because of Jesus, so fast in whichever way you choose and praise God that you don’t have to earn his favor through misery!
Plan ahead
It’s tempting to have your own personal Mardi gras, eating every one of your favorite foods just before starting your fast. While culturally popular, this makes fasting more difficult. It’s better to slowly wean yourself off of food leading up to your fast. Start cutting down on your intake a few days before beginning your fast. Especially focus on slowly removing sugar and caffeine to make the adjustment less jarring and uncomfortable to your body and more of a gradual adjustment.
Look at your schedule and plan realistically. Fasting during holidays is not only difficult because of all the special foods you will be around; it can also be a huge bummer to those around you. They want to enjoy a feast with you and celebrate—not easy over the sound of your growling stomach or your sad expression.
Also consider the point of fasting: spending time with Jesus. If you’re running a million errands in the lead up to Christmas or a birthday or another special event, you won’t have the time to sit and commune with God in isolation. Remember, the point of fasting isn’t just to be hungry; it’s to take the time you would normally spend eating and use it to focus on God.
Breakfast vs. breaking your fast
When your fast ends, it’s very important to reintroduce food slowly. Avoid the six-course dinner or the all you can eat pancake breakfast. Your body will have responded and adjusted to life without food fairly quickly. Suddenly shoveling in normal food can cause extreme discomfort, illness, or worse. Start simply, with steamed or raw vegetables. Take your time and eat small quantities. Stop before you actually feel full, because your stomach will have shrunk and won’t be able to handle the same amount of food at one time as before your fast. Reintroduce foods like meat, starches (potatoes, rice, etc.), fats, and oils in small amounts over time.
These guidelines aren’t just for intensive, long-term fasts. Even after a few days your body will need gentle reintroduction to food. Broth is a good way to start.
Eye on the prize
Fasting isn’t a burden or a requirement for belonging to God. It’s a gift that helps you to know and run alongside your heavenly father. Going without food is a reminder that cuts straight to one of our most basic needs. There is a mystery to it, as with all the things of God.
If you’ve never fasted before, be courageous, give it a go, and expect great things. Fasting is an act of faith, and faith pleases God.
*Material provided by SundayU