Fasting and prayer are a powerful set of disciplines for every Christian to be engaged in frequently. The two go hand-in-hand. Fasting without prayer is just a weird diet. But when fasting and prayer come together as a spiritual act of submission and humility you can expect experience amazing life change, breakthrough, increased faith, and more importantly, deeper intimacy with the Father and love for the lost ones around you.
Tips for success - before the fast begins:
Prayerfully choose a fast that will stretch you but is attainable. A fast is SUPPOSED to deprive the body and/or mind of something but you also have to take your own safety into account. For example a water fast is NOT a good plan for someone who has a physically demanding job. On the other extreme, choosing to fast from alcohol when you rarely, if ever drink in the first place is not going to be very fruitful.
Set an objective for your fast. Yes, we are fasting together for revival in our city and region, but you may have additional personal objectives for fasting. Are you seeking personal breakthrough, healing, resolutions to a problem, a prodigal’s return? Before beginning your fast, ask Holy Spirit to help bring clarity to the objective of your fast.
Ask the Father to reveal any sin that has a hold in your life. Write them down as Holy Spirit brings them to your mind. Then confess your sins and repent of them them before the Lord and receive His forgiveness. (1John 1:9) Consider those you have sinned against or those who have sinned against you. As far as you are able, make amends with that person, by giving and receiving forgiveness. (Matthew 6:14-15)
Submit your life as a sacrifice before God and refuse to obey the desires of the flesh. (Romans 12:1-2)
Be expectant. Anticipate and position your heart in faith to receive or complete the objective you have settled on. (Hebrews 11:6)
Prepare for battle! Even in the time of preparation be aware of spiritual opposition. When we set our hearts on drawing nearer to God, the enemy is threatened. He often will intensify the battle that wages between our spirit and our flesh. (Galatians 5:16-17)
Plan your days. Set and name an alarm on your phone for the same time each day for your devotional time. Look at your calendar ahead of time and be careful not to schedule an event that might cause you to stumble or break your fast. You may even consider trying to gracefully back out of or cancel an event that might be a stumbling block.
Gather your materials! Find your Bible! Highly recommend a real, bound, book Bible instead of a phone or tablet with a Bible App. Limit your distraction by using your real Bible. Go purchase a new journal. Consider journaling your devotional and prayer times and your Rod and Staff times.
Prepare your “secret place!” (Matthew 6:6) Find a room, or a closet, or a corner free from distractions that you will determine to do your devotional time in. Use the same place every day. Remove distractions that might steal your attention from your devotional time. Helpful hints: If you are choosing to wake up early, don’t choose the recliner to read your Bible and pray - you’ll fall right back to sleep. Remember, the enemy wants to distract and discourage you! Instead, consider a chair in a well lit room! Have a walk in closet? Take a dining room chair in the night before.
Prepare your body for the fast. In the days leading up to the start of your fast, begin to ween your body and mind from the object of your fast. Ask someone for help for more clarity on what this might look like for your fast.
Tips for success - during the fast:
Consistency. Same time, same place, same routine. This is personal discipline and it is as much a part of the fast as not eating is. The desires of the flesh will try to break up your consistency. By creating a predictable plan, you can be better prepared against distractions.
Focus on cultivating intimacy with the Father as your primary goal each time you pray.
Recognize that your normal activities may be more difficult while you fast - specifically for dietary fasts. Consider reducing or pausing certain physical activities for the duration of the fast.
Expect discomfort. Be prepared for mental discomforts such as being a little more grumpy, irritable, and impatient. (Be careful not to let your discomforts lead you to sin against others!) Withdrawal symptoms, headaches, weakness, hunger, dizziness, and tiredness are all reasonable experiences. If you’re doing a media type fast, you may experience some anxiousness too. Stay hydrated. Use your Rod and Staff exercise to combat discomfort or discouragement. The First few days are the most difficult.
Inevitably, you will see a significant uptick in invites to lunch or offers to come over for dinner. In times where events come up, or someone unknowingly tempts you with a meal, you can politely refuse the offer and if they press as to why (which isn't very often) you can let them know that you are currently fasting. Take this as an opportunity to share your testimony and share Jesus with them. But! Scripture warns us against going around groveling and groaning before others in order to be recongnized. (Matthew 6:16-18)
If you accidentally break your fast, do not be discouraged. Pray, forgive yourself, and continue your fast. You do not have to “restart” from the beginning.
Remind yourself to EXPECT RESULTS! Have faith that you will see fruit. Even if, ESPECIALLY IF it doesn’t seem like anything is changing.
Tips for success - breaking the fast:
The time has come for the fast to end.
For dietary fasts, be sure to carefully ease out of the fast. If doing a water or juice fast DO NOT order a cheeseburger as your first meal. It could be dangerous! Slowly and carefully introduce solid foods back into your diet.
Worship! Praise God for His presence! Can you get together with others to worship in song and testimony? Do it!
Reflect on your experience. Review your journal and see how you have experienced the Father’s love.
Did you receive your breakthrough? Share it! Are you still waiting for your breakthrough? Continue to be expectant believe that it is coming!
Do you still have questions about fasting and prayer? Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram or connect though the site!
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