Have you ever felt like your spiritual life needed a total reset button? Enter: Fasting.
It’s easy to get caught up in the constant noise, endless notifications, and daily cravings of life. But fasting is all about intentionally setting aside physical desires to tune into God’s voice and grow deeper in relationship with Him. Simply put, we give up something in the natural to gain something in the supernatural.
When we lay down a physical craving, comfort, or habit, we’re declaring that our spirit matters more than our flesh. Here’s the secret: fasting doesn’t change God—it changes us. It aligns our hearts with His, opening the door for clarity, renewal, and major spiritual breakthroughs!
We would love to have you join us for a 7 Days of Fasting and Prayer at The Heart LA Church. We will be starting this fast August 17th – 23rd.
Find Your Fasting Flavor: Common Types of Fasts 🥗
Fasting isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. God looks at the heart, not just the menu! Here are four popular ways to dive in:
The All-Food Fast (Water/Liquid Only) 💧: Abstaining from solid food for a set period while staying hydrated with water or healthy liquids. It’s an all-in focus on spiritual nourishment through prayer and Scripture.
The Sun-Up to Sun-Down Fast 🌅: You abstain from food or specific items during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) and break your fast with light meals after dusk. It’s a fantastic way to fast during your active daily schedule!
The Daniel Fast 🥑: Inspired by Daniel 1:12 and 10:2–3, this partial fast focuses purely on plant-based foods—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts—while cutting out meat, sweets, refined sugars, and processed foods. (Pro tip: check out ultimatedanielfast.com for great recipes and guides!)
The Media & Entertainment Fast 📱: Fasting isn’t just about food! Pausing social media, TV, streaming services, or gaming frees up massive mental bandwidth so you can devote that time to prayer, reflection, and God’s Word.
What Are We Praying For? ❤️
As we fast, prayer gives our sacrifice purpose. If you’re looking for specific directions to point your prayers, join us in lifting up these focused requests:
- More Salvations & Workers 🌾: Asking God to reach the lost in our community and raise up dedicated servant-leaders to serve in the harvest field (Matthew 9:38).
- Humility & Forgiveness 🙏: Approaching God’s heart with true repentance, humbling ourselves before Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).
- The Home of The Heart LA 🏡: Praying for God’s guidance, abundant blessing, and provision over our spiritual home, leadership, and church family in Los Angeles.
- Our Heart LA Missionaries 🌍: Lifting up our global missionaries for supernatural protection, strength, bold faith, and fruitfulness as they share the Gospel across the world.
Scriptural Anchors to Hold On To 📖
Keep these Key Verses in your heart and journal as you press through your fast:
Matthew 6:16–18 — “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face…”
Isaiah 58:6 — “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
2 Chronicles 7:14 — “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face… then I will hear from heaven…”
Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) ❓
Q: Do I have to fast from food, or can I fast something else?
A: You can definitely fast non-food items! While traditional biblical fasting usually involves food, stepping away from digital distractions like social media, TV, or video games is an amazing way to clear mental space for God.
Q: What is the main goal of fasting?
A: The main goal isn’t self-discipline or weight loss—it’s spiritual intimacy! You are exchanging physical satisfaction for spiritual closeness, clarity, and renewal.
Q: What should I do when I feel hungry or tempted during a fast?
A: Treat every hunger pang or craving as a gentle prompt to pray! Instead of grabbing a snack or opening an app, pause for 60 seconds to talk to God, read a quick Scripture verse, or ask for His strength.
We’d love to see you at church every Sunday!
The Heart LA Church
5364 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Services at 9:30 & 11:00 am