Fast: Spiritual sacrifice often involving the diet of a believer.
Etymology: Anglo-Saxon fæstan.
The special period of fasting during the year is called: Lent (Christians- Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday), Ramadan (Muslims- The ninth month of the Muslim year), or Yom Kippur (Jews- the tenth day of the month of Tishrei.).

You do not, however, have to wait for the lent season to fast. You can fast anytime you desire a “breakthrough” or a sacrificial cleansing from the Lord. The Bible states that certain things in our lives only come because of fasting being added to prayer (Matt.17:20).
How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective
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 Ghost to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. If you do not have the Holy Ghost fast so that you may receive the greatest gift from God to man.
Please review as many scriptures as you can on fasting to prepare a solid spiritual
foundation for this awesome undertaking. You will find some below (KJV).

Matthew 4:2 - And when [Jesus] had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred…

Matthew 6:16 - Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face…

Matthew 17:21 - Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting…

Mark 2:18 - And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not…

Luke 18:12 - I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess…

Acts 27:33 - And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing…

1 Corinthians 7:5 - Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency…

1 Samuel 7:6 - And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh…

1 Samuel 31:13 - And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days…

2 Samuel 1:12 - And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword…

2 Samuel 12:16 - David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth…

1 Kings 21:27 - And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly…

1 Chronicles 10:12 - They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days…

2 Chronicles 20:3 - And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah…

Ezra 8:21 - Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance...

Nehemiah 1:4 - And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven…

Nehemiah 9:1 - Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them…

Esther 4:3 - And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes…

Psalms 35:13 - But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom…

Psalms 109:24 - My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness…

Isaiah 58:3 - Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Isaiah 58:4 - Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under
him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke…

Jeremiah 36:9 - And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem…

Daniel 9:3 - And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes…

Joel 1:14 - Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD…

Jonah 3:5 - So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them…
Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2

Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment
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 yo u 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?)
· Solemn fasts (24 hour days) vs. Sun-up to Sun-down vs. Specified times (i.e. until eight o’clock or midnight, etc.)
· 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 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:
· Ask God to help you make a comprehensive 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 Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (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).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you are disabled or elderly it may be necessary to consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without supervision. 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 if possible.
Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider:
· Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication
should be withdrawn only with your physician's supervision.
· Limit your activity.
· Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and
comfortable.
· Rest as much as your schedule will permit.
· Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience,
crankiness, and anxiety.
· Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day of solemn fasts.You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the "blahs." Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness. The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your Bible study and liquid intake, if you are allowed liquids
on your particular fast. If you are not allowed liquids carefully monitor your physical activity.

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.
Morning
· Begin your day in praise and worship.
· Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees.
· Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure
according to Philippians 2:13.
· Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your
family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond.
· Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
Noon
· Return to prayer and God's Word.
· Take a short prayer walk.
· Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community's and nation's leaders, for
the world's unreached millions, for your family or special needs.
Evening
· Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face."
· If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer.
· Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.
When possible, begin and end each day on your knees for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God.
A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal - a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer - suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find useful and satisfying. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes.
5 a.m. - 8 a.m.
Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent
distilled water if the fruit is acid. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or
other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot do your own juicing, buy
juices without sugar or additives.
10:30 a.m. - noon
Fresh vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine.
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After boiling
about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.
Tips on Juice Fasting
· Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural
sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue.
· The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth.
· Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach's sake.
· Avoid caffeinated drinks. And avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach.
When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.
Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly:
· Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.
· While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following:
First day: Add a raw salad.
Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning.
Third day: Add a steamed vegetable.
Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.
· Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few
days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe.
Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.

STEP 7: Expect Results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers. A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Ghost daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24- hour fast each week or a sun- up to sun-down fast two to three times a week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

Originally prepared by: Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade
Edited by: Pastor Clary Butler, Jr., JD.
Additional editorial remarks included by:
Bishop Rebecca Fletcher, DD and Dr. Julio C. Ruibal