Fasts in the New Year are always something great to try! Biblically speaking, fasting is associated with giving up food. When we fast today, we are giving up something to get closer to God. We give up something in the physical to gain something in the supernatural.
When we fast, we give up something in the natural to gain something in the supernatural.
Table of Contents
Types of Fasts in the New Year
There are many different types of fasting. Whether you have just begun following Jesus or you have served him for many years, participating in a fast is a great spiritual discipline to add to your tool belt in the battle of life.
#1: Partial Fast
A partial fast is something like the Daniel Fast. The prophet Daniel gave ups sweets, meats, and treats. For today, a partial fast is when you choose a certain food to give up during a certain amount of time. Typically, it should be something that you enjoy and will be difficult to give up. Here are some examples of things to give up:
- Sugar
- Coffee (Caffeine)
- Fast Food
- Breads
- Meats
- Soda
#2: All Food Fast
An all food fast is giving up food (and possibly water) completely. It goes without saying, but any fast like this should be done with caution. The most common fast in this category is to do a 1-day or 3-day food fast. If you've never fasted before, you should probably start with one meal and build your way up.
#3: Media Fast
This is another great option to fast especially if you cannot physically do a food related fast. A media fast is when you give up all forms of media such as TV, streaming services, and social media. This is a great option when you are really trying to hear the voice of God during your fast.
Some pro-tips to help you succeed would be to completely remove the temptation to participate in these media platforms. Delete your social media apps from your phone. Believe us, it's possible! Unplug your TV completely. These will help you from falling back on your normal habits.
Why do We Fast
We fast to get closer to God.
One of the ultimate reasons we fast is to grow closer to the Lord. We do not fast to move the hand of God; instead, we fast to move closer to Him and have a more godly perspective. Often times in a fast, our own weaknesses and sins are revealed. We have an opportunity to become more like Christ in a fast.
We do not fast to move the hand of God; instead, we fast to move closer to Him and have a more godly perspective.
In addition, when we fast unto the Lord, many other benefits take place as well! When you fast, God seems to speak more clearly. God is always speaking, but when you fast get your journals ready because you are probably going to be in a better position to hear from God.
Another great benefit of a fast is the reality that breakthrough takes places! When we fast, God moves. There are many times in the Bible where the people of God fasted and God showed up! In the book of Ester, the Jewish people fasted and were saved from her oppressors. The New Testament church often fasted for wisdom before making a decision.
If you've never fasted before, this is a great habit to add to your spiritual disciplines.
Fasting is Found all Over the Bible!
Many people fasted in the Bible! From Moses who saw the very face of God to King David who was a man after God's own heart, the famous characters of the Bible fasted in order to know God more.
Daniel fasted for 21 days when he gave up certain foods that the other people in Babylon were enjoying. Ester commissioned her people to join her in a 3-day food and water fast when the Jews were threatened with annihilation. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness.
If all these people from the Bible fasted during their lives, this is probably a very good sign that we can still fast today!
Resources for Your Fasts in the New Year
Tips for Beginners
If this is your first time fasting, we are so proud of you! What a great spiritual discipline to begin. There are a couple of tips we have found to be helpful when you are first starting off. None of these are required, but they can be helpful.
Choose a fast that is attainable for you. Don't start with a 40-day food fast. You will most likely not be able to complete that one right off the bat. Instead, choose one thing to fast over the 7 days. If you really like coffee, give up coffee for the selected period of time. If you have a sweet tooth, maybe give up that.
Prepare for the Fast. If you decide to go with the Daniel fast, you will want to prepare ahead of time by researching the food you are allowed to eat and getting the needed groceries. Protip: Most fast-food places do not have 'Daniel Fast Approved' food. Even if you are doing a smaller 3-day fast, you will still want to prepare by cutting back on sweets and heavy foods leading up to your fast.
Check your Heart. The reason we are fasting is to get closer to God. There is no competition for who. can fast the most days. Instead, our goal is to get one step closer to God. We want to look a little more like Jesus as we try these fasts in the New Year. So check your heart before and as you are doing the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Shopping List for the Daniel Fast
If you are doing the Daniel Fast, you will want to prepare for your meals ahead of time. If you are joining our fast, preparing over the weekend is very important. See some great recipes in the link above! Remember, the Daniel Fast is simply no meats, sweets, or treats. Here are some go-to things you will want to pick up at the grocery store:
- Potatoes (for Potatoes Soup!)
- Beans (all kinds of bean crockpot meals)
- All the Fruits! (Bananas, Strawberries, Pineapple, Mango, etc.)
- Frozen fruit to make smoothies!
- Pre-made smoothies (life savers!)
- Mixed Nuts (Great snack)
- Dates (Find a good Date ball recipe!)
- Rice Cake and Peanut Butter (Go-to snack when hungry)
- Lime and Lemon for your water
- Salads (So many great options!)
- Frozen Vegetables
- Brown Rice
- Whole Wheat Pasta (Great Filler when Hungry)
Don't do this fast ALONE!
If you are simply fasting and not partnered with God, then you are simply on a diet. Make sure you are fasting unto the Lord. Set aside times to pray. Journal to the Lord. Spend some extra time worshipping while you fast. In addition, there are so many resources to gather together while on a fast.
Make sure you prepare your heart for whatever God has in store for you during this fast. Maybe you need to choose a few worship songs on Spotify to listen to during your fast. Pick up a blank prayer journal to write down your prayers during this fast. What can you do to prepare for the fast?
For this corporate fast, we are encouraging you to not do it alone. Here are few things we are doing as a church where we hope you can join us.
Don't do this fast alone!
- Bible Reading Plan: Join us on a 7-day Bible Reading plan as a church starting on January 27th.
- Recipes for Daniel Fast Meals. Check out this amazing website to find all kinds of meals for the Daniel Fast.
- Join us for our Corporate Fast January 27th - February 2nd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still fast if I have a medical condition?
A: You should always ask your doctor if you are concerned about fasting; however, there are modified types of fasting where you can still participate in this spiritual discipline. If food is not an option for you, try a media fast or some type of similar fast.
Q: What is the greatest piece of advice for a beginner when it comes to fasting?
A: Don't do the fast alone. Get around a group of people who are also fasting in order to get closer to God. Ask for help. Get advice. Gain tips from people who have done it more.