If you are new to fasting, these practical instructions for fasting will walk you through the process. Throughout this post, you will see links to other posts in this five-part series on prayer and fasting. Be sure to click them to get the full teaching on this spiritual discipline and deepen your faith. Let these fasting guidelines propel you to take action.
Part 5 of the Prayer and Fasting Series
Today we’ll focus on:
- how to start a fast,
- the best way to end one,
- what to do during a fast,
- and the five kinds of fasts you can choose from.
Fasting isn’t new. This discipline has existed for thousands of years, as we see in both the Old and New Testaments. Moses, Elijah, David, Hannah, Ezra, Jesus, and many others spent time in prayer and fasting and saw results that reflected their sincerity.
Let’s put these instructions for fasting and prayer into action!
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The Basics of Prayer & Fasting
While these instructions for fasting will walk you through the process, you may still be unsure what type of fast to go on. This post, 10 Proven Types of Fasting in the Bible, will help. One benefit of these proven Bible-based fasts is that their purpose is clear. This is a must-read!
Another principle to keep in mind is the attitude and motive of your heart before you begin fasting from food. 2 Chronicles 7:14 mentions a few things, and the first is to humble yourself. Isaiah 58:3-7 also speaks to God’s expectations during a fast.
Instructions for Fasting: How to Get Started
There are a few steps to starting a Fast. A Biblical fast is different than fasting for weight loss. These practical instructions for fasting are focused on Biblical fasting.
- Before you start your fast, take time to prepare your spirit to meet with God.
- Acknowledge your sins and repent. Enter your fasting period with a clean heart before God (1 John 1:9).
- If you need to seek forgiveness from anyone, do so before your fast begins (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
- Spend time worshipping God.
- Begin your fasting time with an expectant heart that God will answer your prayers. It may not be today or tomorrow, but you will see that He is faithful in answering you.
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The Christian Woman‘s Complete Guide to Prayer & Fasting Journal Kit –2026-
1 – Determine the Type of Fast to Suit Your Purpose
This may be a corporate fast called by your church’s spiritual leadership. They will have a purpose outlined for you.
If the fast is personal, determine whether you are seeking God’s help to resolve a problem. If so, the St. Paul Fast or the Ezra Fast would be good choices.
Maybe you are praying for household salvation; then the Samuel Fast would be the choice. Part 4 in this series explains the different types of fasts, which will help you decide which one to do.
Or you may be seeking a personal revival from God. Whatever it is, know what your purpose is before you begin your fast.
Here’s a quick list of the 10 proven fasts in the Bible:
- Disciple’s Fast
- Ezra Fast
- Samuel Fast
- Elijah Fast
- Widow’s Fast
- Paul’s Fast
- Daniel Fast
- John the Baptist Fast
- Esther Fast
- Jesus’ Fast
2 – Have a Heart of Humility
When you think about how to start a fast, it is important that your heart is right before God. Your purpose of fasting needs to be sincere according to Isaiah 58:3-8. God looks at your heart, that is, your motive when you fast before Him.
3 – Decide on the Kind of Fast
There are five kinds of fasts to choose from, which are detailed below; however, here is the brief list for you:
- Absolute Fast (no food or water)
- Normal Fast (most common)
- Juice Fast
- Partial Fast (fruits and vegetables), also known as the Daniel Fast
- Rotational Fast (specific food consumed on a day-by-day rotation)
- Non-Food Fast (give up something else you enjoy doing)
4 – Decide on the Length of the Fast
One question you may have when you ask how to start a fast is how long you should fast. You have several options for how long to fast. You can choose from:
- fasting breakfast, which means if you last ate at dinner the evening before, you will be fasting approximately 18 hours before you will eat again.
- fasting two meals, i.e., breakfast and lunch, which will be approximately 24 hours before having dinner
- a one-day fast
- a three-day fast
- seven-day fast
- 14- or 21-day fast
- 30 days or longer
I recommend two fasting guidelines: if you haven’t fasted before, ease into it with a shorter time frame, and commit to completing that time frame.
If you have never fasted for spiritual purposes, I suggest starting with a one-meal fast, whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you fast dinner, you eat again the next morning.
Once you are comfortable with how your body reacts to not being fed, you can progress to the next step, i.e., fasting two meals or moving from a one-day to a three-day fast.
If you are considering a fasting period longer than 30 days, please ensure you are being Holy Spirit-led and that you are healthy.
Yes, we know that Elijah, Moses, and Jesus all fasted for 40 days. We also know God called them to do so. So, I encourage you to know that you know that you are to fast for 30 days or longer.
5 – Prepare Your Body
Once you have decided when your fast will begin, you can prepare your body by reducing your food intake. This is best done a few days prior to the start date.
Eat fruit and vegetables, avoid meat, and choose lower-sugar foods. Your body will crave this during your fast, so reducing it now will help you later. This is especially helpful if you are fasting longer than one day.
6 – Make a Commitment to God
When you’re wondering how to start a fast, the steps above point to the importance of committing to God.
I’m not sure everyone who fasts commits to God before they start, but I do, and I encourage you to do the same.
I like to set the ground rules for my fast so I don’t change my mind partway through. Committing to God keeps me accountable.
In my commitment, I include the date, the purpose, the length of the fast, and the type of fast, i.e., what I will eat, if anything, i.e., fruits and vegetables. A sample commitment is included in the free download of The Christian Woman’s Complete Guide to Prayer and Fasting Journal Kit. This 25-page kit has everything you need!
Practical Instructions for Fasting: What to do During a Fast
The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on Jesus. Don’t focus on your body’s cravings for food. The craving will go away.
While your family eats the meals you provide, spend the time praying. In fact, while you work with food and prepare meals, pray!
Carry on your normal day’s activities. If you work, continue to work. Take your breaks to pray. If you are a volunteer, continue your volunteer duties.
God will help you as you prepare family meals, do physical work, and keep your regular schedule, whatever you do during the day.
If you have time to devote to prayer beyond mealtimes, then by all means spend that time in prayer. You may also consider reading the Bible, worshipping God, and simply being in His presence. This is the focus of fasting: to be in God’s presence as you seek more of Him in your life.
Expect that there will be some times of crankiness or irritability as your body adjusts to the lack of food, lack of caffeine and lack of sugar. You may also experience headaches and other annoyances such as tiredness or weakness. Don’t let these symptoms stop you from breaking your commitment.
You may also consider developing a schedule for early morning or before breakfast, your lunch break and after dinner. Again, spend time seeking God, worshipping, praying and reading His Word.
Another thing you can consider is eliminating activities that take your focus off God. Television (do you realize how many food commercials there are?), social media, electronic games, etc., all occupy our minds elsewhere.
These Fasting Guidelines Include the Kinds of Fasts to Choose From
There are kinds of fasts and types of fasts. We’re now going to talk about the kinds of fasts. Part 4 of this series covers the types of fasts.
Your body is going to feel that when you are fasting, you are punishing it. So, deciding on the best kind of fast is the next step.
Here are the 6 kinds of fasts you can choose from. My preferred fasts are the Normal Fast and the Partial Fast.
The Absolute Fast
The Absolute Fast means no food or water. This kind of fast is recommended for shorter periods; however, if you are considering a period longer than seven days, make sure the Holy Spirit is leading you and that you are in good health.
The Normal Fast
The Normal Fast is going without food but drinking water or juice. This kind of fast can last one or two meals, up to several days, or even three weeks. In the past, I have completed three-day fasts with only water, lots of water!
If you are considering a fast longer than 21 days, it is advisable to consult your physician to rule out any concerns.
While this post gives an overview of fasting types, Tiffany Montgomery from Hope Joy in Christ shares How to Fast and Pray in a Way that Pleases God, which you may find interesting. She not only mentions the types of fasting, but also covers how to begin fasting. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading it!
The Juice Fast
This fast is simply drinking only fruit or vegetable juice. This means no coffee, no tea, and no soda pop. Sugar and caffeine can trigger cravings. So commit to only fruit juice (natural sugar) or vegetable juice.
The Partial Fast
This fast is often called the Daniel Fast because it lets you eat raw fruit and/or vegetables along with water, juice, or broth.
One time I was following a partial fast, and I had eggs and some vegetables in the fridge that needed to be eaten. I committed to having one egg or vegetable per day, for either my morning or noon meal. The rest of the fast was water only. I completed a 40-day fast with minimal food, lots of water, and prayer. Of course, the eggs and vegetables ran out after about 12 days, and then I drank lots of water for the rest of the time.
The Rotational Fast
You may not have heard of this fast, but it lets you rotate certain foods over a few days. For example, you might have fruit on day 1, water or fruit juice on day 2, and certain vegetables on day 3. You would rotate this for the duration of your fast period.
Non-Food Fast
These practical instructions for fasting wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a fast from non-food activities. For medical reasons, many people can’t fast from food, so they give up something else they like. Some suggestions include turning off the television, giving up social media, or avoiding entertainment or anything else you’d find hard to do without.
So, while others deny eating food, you would deny these other pleasures for the duration of your fast.
The Instructions for Fasting Include the Best Way to End a Fast
So, we’ve learned how to start a fast, and now it is time to learn the best way to end a fast.
There’s the right way and the wrong way to end a fast. The best way to break a fast is with food, of course, but not a juicy cheeseburger. If you did that, you would send your stomach into overdrive and might go crazy eating all kinds of things.
The best way to end a fast, especially after an extended fast, is to gradually reintroduce food. But not just any food. Certain kinds of food.
Remember, your body hasn’t had food for the past few days, and you don’t want to upset your stomach or cause stomach pain by eating big meals right away. You need to reintroduce food gradually.
How to End Your Fast Properly
Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly from Dr. Bill Bright, 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting: [in italics]
If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will help you maintain good health.
- 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 a 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, a raw salad, or a baked potato.
The best way to end a fast is to expect results. If you were serious in your time of prayer and fasting, God will honour your faithfulness.
End your fast in praise and worship (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
After your fast ends, carry out the work God has given you during the fast. In other words, if you sought Him for direction and He answered, begin moving in that direction.
Wrapping Up the Instructions for Fasting
That about covers the instructions for fasting and prayer: how to start a fast, the best way to break a fast, and what to do during a fast. As always, begin and end anything you do for God with prayer. Seek the Holy Spirit’s help, and you can’t go wrong!
I hope this has helped you and that you feel confident starting a fast under the Holy Spirit’s leading.
How has fasting with prayer benefited you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
If you haven’t already, you can read the other blog posts in this series to catch up.
