7 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Fasting is one of the most powerful, and often misunderstood spiritual disciplines in the Christian faith. Many people avoid it because it feels intimidating or extreme. But fasting was never meant to be about punishment or performance. It’s an invitation.

At its simplest, fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. As a community, we describe fasting as a way to deny our flesh, to feed our spirit. When we fast, we temporarily set aside physical nourishment to focus more fully on spiritual dependence. We’re not trying to get God’s attention, He already has His eyes on us. Fasting helps us become more aware of Him.
Jesus didn’t say if you fast, He said when you fast (Matthew 6:16). Fasting is meant to be a normal, life-giving practice for followers of Jesus.

Fasting doesn’t change God - it changes us.
1. Fasting Gives Perspective
When food is removed, clarity is often restored. Hunger has a way of revealing what we rely on and what we run to for comfort. Fasting strips away distractions and reminds us of what truly matters. It realigns our vision so we can see life, circumstances, and decisions through God’s lens instead of our own.
When the noise quiets, God’s voice becomes clearer.

2. Fasting Postures Our Heart
Fasting is an act of humility. It says, God, I need You more than I need what sustains me physically. It softens us, opens us, and positions our hearts to receive what God wants to do in us.

Throughout Scripture, fasting is connected to repentance, surrender, and dependence. It’s not about impressing God, it’s about submitting to Him.

3. Fasting Prioritizes God
In a world built around convenience and consumption, fasting is a counter-cultural act of worship. It intentionally puts God first.

When we choose prayer over a meal, we’re declaring that God is our source, not our appetites, schedules, or comfort. Fasting reorders our priorities and reminds us that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God (Matthew 4:4).

Different Types of Fasts
Not every fast looks the same. Scripture shows us that fasting can take different forms depending on the season, health, and spiritual focus. The goal isn’t comparison, the goal is obedience.

Here are a few common types of fasting:
1. Partial Fast (Abstaining from Certain Foods)
A partial fast involves removing specific foods or food groups for a period of time. This is often associated with Daniel, who chose to remove all delicacies in Daniel 10.

Examples include:

• Giving up meat, sweets, or processed foods
• Eating simple meals focused on fruits and vegetables

This is a great option if you’re new to fasting or need to maintain daily responsibilities while remaining intentional.

2. Sun-Up to Sun-Down Fast
This fast involves abstaining from food from sunrise to sunset, then eating a meal in the evening.

This type of fast:

• Builds daily discipline
• Creates consistent moments of prayer
• Helps align physical hunger with spiritual dependence

Many people find this to be a meaningful and sustainable rhythm during focused seasons of prayer.

3. Complete Fast (Liquid-Only)
A complete fast involves abstaining from all food and consuming only liquids -- typically water, and sometimes juice or broth.

This fast:

• Requires prayerful preparation
• Should be approached with wisdom and discernment
• Is usually shorter in duration

Complete fasts are often seen in Scripture during moments of urgency and consecration, such as Esther’s call to fasting (Esther 4).

RELATIONSHIP > rules
Don’t get caught up in all the rules of fasting. When the focus shifts to do’s and don’ts, we often lose sight of the relationship. Choose a fast, commit to it, seek God, and watch how He shapes you to become more like Jesus.