Fasting is Feasting - The Heart LA Church

Fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines we get to participate in as we follow the example of Christ. Fasting is not simply giving up food; instead, we are feasting on God! Here are a few tips to help you as you fast in 2024!

Join the fast!

What is fasting?

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.

Fasting is not simply giving up food; instead, we are feasting on God!

Fasting in 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!

Types of Fasting

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

One of the ultimate reasons we fast is to grow closer to the Lord.

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.

Resources for Your Fast

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?

Here are few things we are doing as a church.

Bible Reading Plan: Join us on a 7-day Bible Reading plan as a church.
Recipes for Daniel Fast Meals. Check out this amazing website to find all kinds of meals for the Daniel Fast.
Join us for Church on Sunday! Don't do life alone! Join us at church every Sunday!

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)

Fasting at The Heart LA Church

Every year, we like to participate in some kind of fast. In 2024, we are doing a 7-day Daniel Fast at The Heart LA Church from January 22nd through January 28th. Would you join us on this fast? Our desire is to grow closer to God. We want to hear him better. We want to see breakthrough in our city. This is one of the spiritual disciplines or habits we are going to add this year to experience God more.