What is fasting?
According to Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, the Greek word, nesteia, is “a fasting, fast” (from ne, a negative prefix, and esthio, “to eat”], and is used to define voluntary abstinence from food. Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that is designed by our loving, caring, sharing Heavenly Father for the purpose of connecting to HIM more intimately. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with HIM. We gain a new perspective and a renewed passion for HIM. Although this fast is only 21 days, denying the flesh of its desires will challenge you to trust God more readily instead of your flesh. Too often, the focus of fasting is on a lack of food. The purpose of fasting should rather be to take your eyes off the things of this world for the purpose of focusing completely on God.

Old Testament Examples of Fasting

•  Moses fasted 40 days on behalf of Israel’s sin: Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25-29; 10:10.
•  David fasted and mourned the death of Saul: 2 Samuel 1:12.
•  David fasted and mourned the death of Abner: 2 Samuel 3:35.
•  David fasted and mourned the death of his child: 2 Samuel12:16.
•  Elijah fasted 40 days after fleeing from Jezebel: 1 Kings 19:7-18.
•  Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God: 1 Kings 21:27-29.
•  Darius fasted in concern for Daniel: Daniel 6:18-24.
•  Daniel fasted on behalf of Judah's sin while reading Jeremiah’s prophecy: Daniel 9:1-19.
•  Daniel fasted regarding a mysterious vision from God: Daniel 10:3-13.
•  Esther fasted on behalf of her people: Esther 4:13-16.
•  Ezra fasted and wept for the sins of the returning remnant: Ezra 10:6-17.
•  Nehemiah fasted and mourned over the broken walls of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-2:10.
•  The people of Nineveh fasted after hearing the message of Jonah: Jonah 3.

New Testament Examples of Fasting

• Anna fasted for the redemption of Jerusalem through the coming Messiah: Luke 2:37.
• Jesus fasted 40 days before his temptation and the beginning of His ministry: Matthew 4:1-11.
• The disciples of John the Baptist fasted: Matthew 9:14-15.
• The elders in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and Barnabas: Acts13:1-5.
• Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation: Acts10:30.
• Paul fasted three days after his Damascus Road encounter: Acts 9:9.
• Paul fasted 14 days while at sea on a sinking ship: Acts 27:33- 34

Who should fast?
Every Christian

Why fast?
We see fasting throughout Scripture as a really good thing for us to do. It’s never commanded, but it’s pretty clear that there are a lot of benefits to actually fasting, especially before really important decisions because it allows you to clear your mind and focus solely on Jesus and hearing the voice of God. Which is what Christian fasting really is. It isn’t necessarily to starve ourselves from food, the main focus is to shift our focus completely 100% on God instead of fulfilling our personal fleshly desires. It’s about becoming more like Jesus and more dependent on the Holy Spirit. So if you’re fasting from food, the time that you would normally plan, prepare and eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, should be spent with Him, through prayer, worship, or reading the Bible.

How to fast?
Step 1: Clarify the purpose of your fast
Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Fasting is God-led and God-initiated. That means that He fuels a desire to fast and pray. He loves it when we fast.
Step 2: Specify the kind of fast you will do
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him 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, one week, several weeks, certain days (beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts)?
• The type of fast God wants you to undertake - discussed in the Types of Fasts section below.
• What physical or social activities you will restrict

• How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word.  Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon it.

Step 3: Prepare your heart, mind, and body for fasting
Fasting is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. It is planned. We must prepare. The very foundation of
fasting and prayer is repentance. Un-confessed sin can hinder your prayers. There are several things
you can do to prepare your heart
• Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.
• Do not rush into your fast. Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high fat and sugary foods. Eating raw fruit and vegetables prior to your fast is helpful. 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.
• Prepare your heart and mind: Remember that God is your Father and He loves you and is for you.
• 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.
• Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1, 2). Meditate on the attributes 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)
• Finally, and of deep importance, Jesus instructs us in Matthew to not let others know about your fasting. The strict details of your fast should not be something you constantly talk about to others. It should remain between you and God.

What to fast from?

Food Fasting Types

1. Complete Fast
The complete fast is a Christian water-only fast, abstaining from all food. This is a challenging undertaking but very rewarding both physically and spiritually. And there is definitely a biblical basis for this type of fast. When the Bible mentions someone fasting, in most cases, we assume it's a water-only fast. For example, see the stories of Jehoshaphat, Ezra, and Nehemiah.  Usually, the first few days of a water-only fast are the most difficult. But after working through the initial side effects and discomfort, most people report feeling clear, focused, and receive a boost of energy. When fasting all food, it is crucial to drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and spend time in prayer.  If you're brand new to fasting, you may want to start with a liquid or partial fast (two types we'll talk about next) before diving into a complete fast.  Another option is to start with a one-day fast and gradually increase the fasting period in subsequent fasts. The Bible doesn't always say how long people fasted, but in some cases, like Judges 20:26 or 1 Samuel 7:6, the fasting period lasts just one day or until the evening.

2. Liquid Fast
Another option is a liquid fast, where you abstain from all food but allow liquids such as smoothies, fresh juices, and pureed soups. And, of course, drink lots of water throughout the day!  For many people, a liquid fast is an ideal way to cleanse the body and mind and reset their eating habits. It's an easier place to start than a complete fast for most. Remember that you don’t want to consume sugary beverages, which can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash.  The goal isn't to drink constantly throughout the day but to give your body energy through healthy liquid options at regular intervals.  Juice fasts are also included in this category. Although we have many readymade options, making your own fresh juices at home is ideal.  You may ask, "So...can I drink whatever I want?"  Only you can decide if your fast should include a Venti Starbucks frappuccino. But do consider the following:

1.    What are the most nourishing drinks for my body? (Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee drinks, etc., do not qualify!)

2.    Am I fasting to grow closer to God and give up temporary satisfaction, or am I still dependent on worldly substances to pacify my stress, energize me, and get me through my day?

Keep in mind that the Bible doesn't mention juice cleanses or smoothie fasts. Blenders weren't invented, and protein powder wasn't readily available. However, liquid-only fasts are a popular option for spiritual fasting. Again, the spirit of fasting is separating from the world (and food) and drawing closer to God.

3. Partial Fast
A partial fast involves restricting when you eat or what you eat. In the first case, you restrict the times of day you eat. The more common interpretation of a Christian partial fasting, however, is choosing what types of food to eat or abstain from.  The Daniel Fast, for example, is a popular Christian fast. Based on Daniel's experience in the Bible, it involves abstaining from meats, sweets, and bread while still consuming whole, plant-based foods and water.  Daniel was taken captive to Babylon and placed in the king’s court. However, not wanting to be defiled by the king’s food, he made a special request to the captain of the guard. “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (Daniel 1:12) Later, Daniel entered a 21-day period of fasting: “In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.” (Daniel 10:2-3) Choosing to abstain from certain foods during the season of Lent is another example of partial fasting.  When you're brand new to fasting, partial fasts can be an excellent first step but don't confuse it with a diet or healthy eating plan. Fasting should involve a level of sacrifice that challenges your flesh. And, as always, the focus is not solely on what you eat (or losing weight) but primarily on drawing closer to the Lord and strengthening your spirit.

Types of food included in the Daniel fast:

• Whole grains: brown rice, oats, rolled oats, oatmeal, barley, corn, popcorn, wheat
• Legumes: dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, green beans, green peas, peanuts, etc.
• Fruits: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, breadfruit, cantaloupe, cherries, coconuts, cranberries, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, grenadine, guava, honeydew, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, mulberry, nectarines, oats, olives, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, watermelon, etc.
• Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, collard greens, okra, onions, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, etc.
• Seeds: all nuts
• Liquids: Water (8 glasses per day) and 100% natural juices, herbal teas, extra-virgin olive oil

Avoid: Dairy products, refined sugar and sugar products, caffeine, bread, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, fried foods, and high fat products.
 
What's a Bigger Sacrifice Than Food?
But just because you cannot give up food does not mean you can't participate in the fasting experience. It is not necessarily what item you give up, but more about what that item means to you and how it reminds you to stay focused on the Lord. For example, it might be a bigger sacrifice for you to give up a favorite video game or television show, rather than food.
 
Choose Something That Is Meaningful
When choosing something to fast, it's important that it is meaningful to you. Many people "cheat" by choosing something that wouldn't ordinarily be missed. But choosing what to fast is an important decision that shapes your experience and connection with Jesus. You should miss its presence in your life, and the lack of it should remind you of your purpose and connection to God.
 
If something on this list doesn't fit for you, then do some searching to find something you can give up that is challenging to you. It can be anything that is important to you, such as watching a favorite sport, reading or any other hobby you enjoy. It should be something that is a part of your regular life and that you enjoy. 
 
6 Things You Can Give up Instead of Food
Here are some alternative items you can fast besides what you eat:
 
Television
One of your favorite weekend activities may be binging on whole seasons of shows, or you may enjoy watching your favorite shows throughout the week. However, sometimes TV can be a distraction, and you can become so focused on your programs that you neglect other areas of your life, such as your faith. If you find television to be a challenge for you, then giving up watching television for a certain period of time can be a meaningful shift.
 
Video Games
Like television, video games can be a great thing to fast. It may seem easy to many, but think about how many times each week you pick up that game controller. You may spend hours in front of the television, phone or computer with a favorite game. By giving up playing games, you can instead focus that time on God.
 
Weekends Out
If you are a social butterfly, then maybe fasting one or both of your weekend nights out may be more of a sacrifice. You can spend that time in study and prayer, focusing on doing God's will or getting the direction you need from Him. Additionally, you will save money by staying in, which you can then donate to the church or a charity of your choice, making your sacrifice even more meaningful by helping others.
 
Cell Phone
Texting and talking on the phone are big deals to many. Fasting your time on the cell phone or giving up text messaging may be a challenge, but every time you think about texting someone, you'll definitely remind yourself to focus on God.
 
Social Media
Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, and Instagram are a major part of daily life for millions. Most check into sites several times a day. By banning these sites for yourself, you can get back time to devote to your faith and your connection to God.
 
Secular Music
Not every Christian listens only to Christian music. If you love mainstream music, then try turning the radio station to strictly Christian music or turning it off completely and spend the time talking to God. By having silence or soothing music to help you focus your thoughts, you may find you have a more meaningful connection to your faith.