How to Begin Spiritual Fasting

Spiritual fasting is physical fasting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. ... Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose.

Why are you fasting?

Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems,

for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and reasons for

your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Scripture Reference: 2 Chronicles 7:14

What kind of fast will you take on?

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. For Jesus it was a matter of when believers would fast,

not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

• How long you will fast – one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
• The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often).
• What physical or social activities you will restrict.
• How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word.

Scripture Reference: Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast

(Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15)

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here

are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

• Make a list of your sins.
• Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
• Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
• Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
• Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
• Meditate on the greatness of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
• Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
• Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

Scripture Reference: See above

Prepare Yourself Physically

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn

your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

• Do not rush into your fast.
• Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
• Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.