Helpful Guidelines for Prayer & Fasting

Fenway Church will be kicking off the New Year with a week dedicated to prayer and fasting. See this post for information on the schedule and daily blog updates. 

I have a passion for prayer and fasting that began in my college years. For those considering embarking on the fast this week, here are three helpful things to consider - Why fast? What does a fast look like? What can prayer look like?

Why Fasting?

God has always used fasts to increase my hunger to spend time with Jesus, allowed me to spend more time in prayer, and reminded me that this world and its desires are passing away. I find at the completion of these fasts I am often more focused on God's kingdom and more filled with God's power simply because I have been spending more time with him!

Many heroes of the faith fasted including Moses, Elijah, and Jesus!  Jesus expected his followers to fast knowing how good it would be for them, "They will fast in that day." (Mark 2:20)

If Jesus did and he expected us to, we should!

What Does a Fast Look Like?

First, please remember that if you have certain health issues a change in diet or a fast can be medically dangerous and should be avoided. As always, remember to drink lots of water especially when fasting.

A Fast

The phrase "fasting" in our context is typically used to mean fasting from all foods for a meal, day, week, etc.

A Water Fast

A water fast involves abstaining from all substances EXCEPT water.  This typically should last for no more than 3-10 days.

A Daniel Fast
The idea of a "Daniel fast" is found in Daniel Chapter 1 where Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the king's fine food and instead embrace a diet of vegetables during their time of training in Babylon. A "Daniel fast" for me consists of not eating any meats or sweats or fine foods (define that however you want :). I generally eat fruits, vegetables, some breads, beans, rice, & grains. Some keep a stricter diet than that.  I have used a "Daniel Fast" for when I am doing fasts of more than 2-3 days.

A Media Fast

A media fast can involve abstaining from some type of daily entertainment - such as twitter, tv/movies, internet, computer games, etc. - for an extended period of time.  I have found these to be very helpful for me when I have done them.

In fasting it is not the diet that matters, it is a heart that wants more of God and less of the world that matters. Prayerfully, consider what God may be leading you to fast for this week.

Finally, it is usually best to use the time normally spent in eating or entertainment in prayer and spending time with God.  Otherwise, we can easily miss the point of the fast!

What can prayer look like?
1) The main purpose of fasting and prayer in the New Testament was to align with God's plan and be filled with his power. Let's get involved where HE is already working - how do we know where he is? We pray and listen! (Acts 13:2, John 5:19)


2) God is sovereign. His plan to redeem of humanity and establish his church among every people group is not in doubt. (1 Cor. 15:24-26) Yet, he calls us to pray for, "Laborers to be sent out into the harvest." Jesus told his disciples to pray for laborers then immediately sent them out! (Matthew 9:35 - 10:5) Will you not only pray for laborers but allow God to make you one?


3) The one thing Jesus desires most for us is to be with him, listening to his voice. (Luke 10:28-42) He wants revival more desperately than we do. A true revival begins when God's people hunger and thirst for Jesus above all else NOT when we desperately plead with God to change the world.. It is in Jesus' presence that we are changed and empowered. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)


4) God has been showing me in the word that he will show his people things in prayer that will open up huge doors to be witnesses for him IF they will act on what they see and hear immediately. (Acts 9:10-12, Acts 10) We too often hesitate after praying seeking "God's will" AGAIN and we MISS opportunities. Don't wait go find out if God spoke or not!

Let's do it!