Christian Fasting
More and more followers of Christ are discovering the power and benefits of Christian fasting. In fact, Christian fasting is growing at such a fast rate that this site alone has had more 1.5 millioin hits since I started it in December 2007. I hope you take some time to look around this blog and the http://www.Daniel-Fast.com site. It’s packed with lots of information about Christian Fasting and also about The Daniel Fast.
There are several types of Christian fasting. Many people think of totally abstaining from food, which is indeed a type of fast. However, the type of fast that is growing in popularity is a partial fast based on the fasting experiences of the Prophet Daniel. It’s called the Daniel Fast and serves as a type of fast that one can employ during any time of the year and for whatever length of time one feels led.
With that in mind, the benefits of the Daniel Fast are best gained over at least 10 days. Most often the fast is practiced for 21 days, yet this is not a requirement.
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast in that some foods are restricted, but not all. I often explain it to people as a vegan diet with more restrictions. All foods are plant-based and the only beverage is water (see Daniel 1). Additionally, there are no sweeteners, deep fried foods, stimulants (including caffeine), processed foods or man-made chemical on the fast.
When you begin Christian fasting, think of it similar to going on a vacation. You plan your vacation and it has a purpose, you prepare for your vacation before you start it, when you are on your vacation, you behave differently, and when you return from your vacation you reflect on the experience.
Christian fasting is similar in that you will plan, prepare, act differently , and then reflect on your fast when it is complete. The purpose of fasting is to bring you into a closer relationship with God. You are setting into motion a heightened focus on prayer, meditation, study and devotion for a specific purpose.
Please take your time to investigate this blog as you consider your fast. And may you continue to grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as you experience this special discipline of prayer and fasting!
The Daniel Fast 
Tirza,
The first step is to learn about the fast! There is a lot of erroneous information “out there” so be sure follow reputable teachers. Review the information on this site and on http://daniel-fast.com, my other site. It’s all well-researched and will get you started.
Be blessed
I am staring a fasting today . I’ve never done fasting this will be the first time. Need some ways on how I could do it.
Hi Deena,
The Bible teaches that this must be a joint decision. If a couple decides together to abstain from marital relations then you may choose to make this an element of your fasting experience, but it is not a requirement of the Daniel Fast, and not a decision for one spouse to make for both, there must be agreement. See our FAQ. I hope this helps.
I started the 21 day Daniel Fast two weeks ago with my church family. I kinda told my (unsaved) husband that I was going on a fast for this period of time and seeing that it seemed as though he had no reservations about me fasting I persued it. A few days ago we got into a huge agrument about my fasting because I illiminated imtimacy, which I thought he understood. I have been on fasts in the past (shorter one) and he was okay. However, this time he wasn’t and it caused a huge agreement. To avoid us being mad I gave in to his need. How can I get back on track? It is my desire to draw closer to God.
Hi Maria,
The Daniel Fast includes many plant-based foods. If you are using the Daniel Fast as your method of fasting, I encourage you to read more on this site to familiarize yourself with the fast. You can eat during the day on the Daniel Fast. Also, a wide variety of foods.
Be blessed
I am on my 3days of fasting and finish at the night have fruits and the next day fasting again im on the 30 days fasting am i do the right things?
I am on this site because I’m trying to learn about it. but your story move me I think you should stay strong and maybe next time be prepared for it keep your faith in God loves you and oftentimes the journey part of the gift
My church has a program to do the Daniel fast Every year in january. I’m so glad it’s just not our church but we’re joining with many people.
Hi Nikki,
Don’t be so hard on yourself! Jesus said, “the spirit is willing but the flesh (mind, will and emotions) is weak”. The flesh is just rearing it’s rebellious head in an attempt to discourage you from disciplining it. You are fine…drive a stake in the ground and reconfirm your resolve and move on, just continue on with the fast as planned. Repent for what is yours to repent for then get back on track . . . just like we do in everyday life! Keep this in mind…GOD LOVES YOU, there is Nothing you can do to make Him love you more…And, there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less..He Loves you just as you are! Repent, receive forgiveness (which includes forgiving yourself), make the needed adjustments to avoid another misstep and keep going forward. Be Blessed on your Journey!
I got into a huge fight with my husband yesterday, and broke my fast. I had a cup of coffee, and today I ate fast food. He says it’s no coincidence that it happened on day seven of our fast. We always come under attack like this when we fast together. He’s made it through the complete fast several times. I never have. I feel so spiritually dehydrated, that I really needed this. I am so ashamed of myself! Should I pick back up, or have I totally ruined it?
Hi Jana,
Jesus said, “the spirit is willing but the flesh (mind, will and emotions) is weak”. Simply reconfirm your resolve and continue on with the fast as planned. Repent, receive forgiveness, make the needed adjustments to avoid another misstep and keep going forward. Be Blessed on your Journey!
Hello
I started fasting on the 2nd of December. Well I broke my fast today . WE had our Christmas lunch and I completely forgot of the fast until 2 hours after I ate. I feel so disappointed. I didn’t realize how much this fast meant to me until I broke it.
Biblical fasting is always about drawing closer to God and opening our hearts to His power and truth. Our whole body is subjected to the power of God when we fast . . . and through this submission we are more able to receive His love, grace, direction, revelation and guidance.
This is just the “tip of the iceberg.” I encourage you to prepare yourself by learning about the Daniel Fast. You will find lots of information here and even more in the Daniel Fast book.
Be blessed as you seek more of God in your life.
So what happens when we fast. Spiritually?
Hi Armand,
We are excited for you as you enter into this time of seeking God through prayer and fasting, He has great things in store for you. The definition of fasting is to restrict food for a spiritual purpose, and is an experience for the whole person – body, soul and spirit. Be Blessed on your Journey!
I really like how this Daniel’s Diet sounds; my church has decided to do it for 20 1/2 days however they have modified it to include more. Still I will loose weight and do it for the Lord.
I’m not sure why you call it a fast though…the definition of a fast being abstaining from food or nourishment.
Hi O,
A couple of basic things to ask yourself: Do I have the resources for this phone, or am I stretching my means to get a bigger and better phone? If you went into debt to get an expensive phone then I would rethink the decision. However, Above all else I encourage you to ask this question to the Holy Spirit, He is faithful to lead you when you humbly ask and are willing to obey. Be Blessed dear brother on your Journey!
Hi O,
The definition of fasting is to “restrict food” for a spiritual purpose. With that said, Don’t feel guilty that you had to replace your phone. It is one thing to decide to postpone a purchase for the sake of self discipline, then it is another once the need becomes a necessity. Don’t belay this, thank God for His provision to purchase the new phone and enjoy it! Be Blessed!
Also I had a great experience the day before with fasting and really got closer to The Lord and I think that was part of my lackadaisical fast. I now realize the seriousness of making an oath to The Lord. I saw in a precious post you said to repent and make adjustments… Obviously with food I know God wouldn’t call us to regurgitate our food… But it is possible to take the phone back. Is this a gray area.. That I need to be led in… Or is it black and white. Hopefully that clarifies my question a little more.
Hey,
I was looking for some advice. I decided to fast from the I-phone 5… I was content with not getting it. I didn’t give a whole lot of thought to it (I told my wife about it) … A few days later my phone fell in the toilet and I was in need of a phone and the replacement wasn’t beneficial for what I wanted to use my phone for. So I chose to get the phone … Now I feel guilty about it. And am torn not sure if I should take the phone back or rest in 1john 1:9… Or both. I really like the phone now I realize that Jesus loves me despite my faults… However I want to please him. Any thoughts or scriptural help would be greatly appreciated. God Bless
Hi Smith,
Simply make any necessary adjustments (repent if needed) and continue on in your fast. God isn’t looking for perfection, just hearts that are hungering for more of Him! So encourage yourself, pick yourself up and go for it! And, yes killing your flesh is the whole point of fasting. For sugar cravings eat fruit, this is how you retrain your flesh and subdue it at the same time. As for peanut butter, the way to tell if sugar has been added is to read the Ingredients list, if sugar has been added it will show here. If not, then the Ingredients list should be: Peanuts…and maybe salt. Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter is one I can recommend for the fast. And don’t worry, slurping the juices out of an orange doesn’t classify as a drinking beverage. Now making orange juice out of them to drink does cross the line but other than that, you’re good. So, eat your oranges and drink plenty of water. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Journey!
Yes, supplements are fine to take. However, we do encourage supplements that are free of sweeteners and additives.
I kinda broke my fast on day one 😦 I went from the time I got up until around 5 something but I saw my friends giving it up but they decieded to do a different fast like one who hates fruits added it to her diet. and another who eat late a night said she’ll won’t eat after 9, But when I broke it and oke up thos morning I felt terrible. I want to start agian today. I’m a sugar fiend I’m addicted to sugar more than anything. So this fast is gonna kill me!! Or at least my flesh. It’s even harder cause i’m a freshman in college, so we eat junk all the time. But I want to try 10 days even though my church said from yesterday until the Nov. 18. I feel bad but I feel like God wants me to do this, cause he knows I eat alot of junk. I hope he forgives me and I’ll restart agian today. I also can I eat peanut butter. I found this natural peanut butter it has 1 gram of sugar though but im not sure if that was added or was it naturally sweet. Also can I drink juice from fruit, I brought tons of fruit yesterday but when I eat oranges I suck the juice out of them then eat it. Can I still do that? but even if I eat oranges I still get juice because there juicy?
Hey, I probably won’t be eating any legumes, but i still need protein, is it ok to have vitamins?