At its simplest, fasting is giving up food for a period of time in order to focus on God. But it's more than skipping a meal — it's a spiritual practice that has been woven into the life of God's people for thousands of years.

In Scripture, fasting is primarily a private expression of personal devotion, and it shows up in three main contexts: repentance, mourning, and petition. It's a way of humbling ourselves before God — telling Him with our whole body, not just our words, that we need Him.

Fasting is not a hunger strike between you and God. It's not a way to twist God's arm or earn a better answer to prayer. The purpose is to take your eyes off the things of this world and focus completely on Him. God makes clear in Isaiah 58 that His idea of fasting is more about the posture of the heart — desiring justice, mercy, and submission — than about the outward action.

2 Chronicles 7:14 captures the spirit well: "...if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Here are types of Fasts

• Complete (Absolute) Fast — No food or drink for a set time (Esther 4:16).

• Normal (Water) Fast — No food, water only. This is the most common fast and what Jesus practiced during His 40 days in the wilderness.

• Partial (Daniel) Fast — Abstaining from certain foods and eating only vegetables, fruits, and water (Daniel 10:3).

• Corporate Fast — A whole community fasting together for a shared purpose (Nineveh in Jonah 3).

Fasting shows up all throughout Scripture — Old and New Testaments — and it follows a few well-worn patterns. Here are the major themes:

While in the presence of God receiving a message

• Moses while receiving the 10 Commandments (Exodus 34:28)

• Daniel fasts for 3 weeks after receiving a disturbing vision (Daniel 10:1-3)

For breakthrough and protection against an enemy

• The nation of Israel after being defeated by Benjamin twice before fighting victoriously the third time (Judges 20:18-28)

• Israel corporately fasts while being oppressed by the Philistines and repents under Samuel's leadership (1 Samuel 7:3-6)

• Jehoshaphat sought God's protection by proclaiming a national fast when confronted by enemy armies (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)

• The returning exiles fast corporately for safe journey (Ezra 8:21-23)

• Esther and the nation of Israel fast and pray for the calamity planned against them to be thwarted (Esther 4:3, 15-16)

As part of the mourning process

• Mourning over the death of Saul and his sons (1 Samuel 31:13, 2 Samuel 1:12)

• David mourning over the death of Abner (2 Samuel 3:35)

• Darius fasts while Daniel is in the lion's den (Daniel 6:18)

• Jesus responding to the Pharisees that His disciples don't fast because He is with them, but they will fast when He's taken away (Matthew 9:14-15)

As intercession

• David interceding on behalf of his son doomed to die as a result of his sin (2 Samuel 12:15-16)

• David prays and fasts for his enemy's healing (Psalm 35:11-13)

• Jesus referring to a demon only being cast out by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21)

As a response to rebuke and/or part of repentance

• Ahab humbled himself and fasted at Elijah's rebuke and the Lord relented calamity (1 Kings 21:27-29)

• Ezra grieved over the sins of the returning exiles, fasts and prays (Ezra 10:6)

• Nehemiah hears of the reproach of Israel and fasts, prays, and weeps (Nehemiah 1:4)

• The Israelites fast, confess their sin, read from the book of the law, and worship God (Nehemiah 9:1-3)

• Daniel fasts, prays, and repents on behalf of his nation (Daniel 9:3-6)

• A prophetic call to all the people to fasting, repentance, and prayer (Joel 1:14, 2:12-17)

• The people of Nineveh believe and fast at Jonah's message (Jonah 3:5)

God's chosen fast

• God's description of the chosen fast — one that is about justice and mercy (Isaiah 58:3-12)

• Jesus fasts 40 days in the desert while being tempted by the devil, and lives on the word of God (Matthew 4:1-4)

• Jesus' teaching that fasting is not to be done to be noticed by men (Matthew 6:16-18)

• Anna praying and fasting night and day in the temple for decades (Luke 2:36-37)

• Prophets and teachers ministering to the Lord with prayer and fasting, and being told by the Holy Spirit to set aside Paul and Barnabas for missions work (Acts 13:1-3)

• Appointing elders in the new church with prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23)

Start by getting clear on why you're fasting. What are you praying for? What is God putting on your heart — for you personally, for your family, for our church, for the city? Let this be a time of communion between you and God, not for any kind of recognition.

Once you know the "why," make a plan. Set a definite start and end time. Look at your week and block out specific times for prayer, Bible reading, and rest (you'll need more rest than usual). If you're fasting for an extended period, be accountable to someone — let a trusted friend, your house church leader, or a pastor know what you're doing.

Begin the fast with faith that it will be effective. God honors obedience, and He meets us when we seek Him.

If this is your first time, start small. Try fasting from one meal, fasting for a single day, or fasting from a specific item (like coffee, social media, music, etc.). Over time, you can build up to longer fasts as you grow in the practice.

There are creative ways to fast if there are any medical requirements or restraints — such as a Daniel Fast or Liquid-only Fasts.

Most important, the goal isn't to prove something; it's to create space for God.

Physically:

• You'll likely experience some discomfort — headaches, fatigue, irritability, or hunger pangs, especially in the first couple of days. If you normally drink coffee, caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches. These are normal. Decide ahead of time that discomfort will drive you toward God, not away from Him. Walk by faith, not by feelings.

Practically:

• Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is essential — water helps your body flush toxins.

• If you're including juice, stick to 100% fruit or vegetable juice (freshly made is ideal). Avoid caffeine and sugar-heavy drinks.

• Limit intense physical activity. Moderate walking is fine, but listen to your body.

• On longer fasts, plan for extra rest.

Spiritually:

• This is where it gets good. Use the time you'd normally spend eating to pray, worship, read Scripture, and listen. Pray for breakthrough in the areas God highlights. Confess sin. Make things right with people you're at odds with — forgive, ask forgiveness, clear the air. Write down what God speaks to you through His Word and through prayer. Feed your spirit throughout the day through worship, prayer, and serving others.

Don't celebrate with a massive meal — ease back in. Start with light, healthy foods: soup, broth, fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and bread. The longer the fast, the more gradually you should reintroduce food.

Fasting is healthy for the average person and isn't harmful when done properly. That said, if you take medications, are pregnant, have a condition like hypoglycemia, or work a hard physical labor job, consult your doctor before fasting from food. In these cases, consider a Daniel Fast or fasting from something other than food that you rely on daily.

Make it a lifestyle. Fasting isn't a one-time event — it's a rhythm. As you grow in it, make fasting a regular part of your walk with God.

Recommended reading:

• God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis is an excellent deeper resource on the theology and practice of fasting.

• For a more detailed guide on scheduling your fast and juice recommendations, check out Cru's 7 Steps to Fasting & Prayer.

• Additionally, here is an Antioch Movement document regarding Fasting.