Christian Fasting Guide: How to Fast and Pray Well
Christian fasting is choosing to go without something good, usually food, for a set time so that you can pay closer attention to God. It is not a diet, a test of willpower or a way to twist God’s arm. It is a humble, prayerful act in which hunger becomes a reminder of how much we need Jesus. This guide walks through what Scripture says, the main types of fast, how to start gently, how to pray while you fast, and how to look after your body in the process.
TL;DR
Fasting is a temporary giving up of something good, such as food, to express our need for God. Jesus spoke of it as something his followers would do.
Start small: one meal or one day, with water, on a day when you are not physically busy.
Fasting and prayer belong together. Without extra prayer and time in Scripture, it is simply not eating.
Keep it private and unforced. The Bible sets no compulsory fasting calendar for Christians.
Speak to your doctor first if you have a health condition, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have ever struggled with an eating disorder.
Table of Contents
What Christian fasting is, and what it is not
One helpful definition describes Christian fasting as a temporary renunciation of something good, like food, to intensify the expression of our need for God and his work in our lives. The same source points out that the New Testament does not spell out an explicit command to fast, yet Jesus’ words show he expected his followers to do it.
That last point matters. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says “when you fast”, not “if”. He speaks of fasting alongside giving and praying as ordinary parts of a life lived before the Father. Yet he sets no schedule, length or menu.
So what fasting is not:
Not a bargaining chip. Fasting does not earn an outcome from God. It should be a humble plea, not an attempt to manipulate him.
Not a performance. Jesus warned against fasting to be noticed.
Not a weight-loss plan. The motive is what separates a spiritual fast from a health trend. If you want to lose weight, that is a different conversation, and not the aim here.
Not a competition. A longer fast is not a holier fast.
Think of it as a way of saying with your body what you say with your lips: I need you more than I need bread. That is the heart of it, and everything else in this guide is simply practical help for living it out.
What the Bible says about fasting
Fasting runs through the whole of Scripture. A few threads are worth tracing.
Fasting in the Old Testament
Moses fasted on Mount Sinai, and fasting was often linked to collective repentance. People fasted in grief, in repentance and when they sought God’s help in a crisis. David, Daniel, Esther and the city of Nineveh all appear in this story, and many of these fasts are closely tied to repentance.
The prophets also gave a strong correction. In Isaiah 58, God challenges fasting that ends at an empty stomach while injustice carries on. The fast God desires leads outward: to feeding the hungry, loosing the chains of oppression and caring for the needy. A fast that never changes how we treat people has missed the point.
Fasting in the New Testament
Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before his public ministry (Luke 4). When tempted to turn stones into bread, he answered that we do not live on bread alone. The early church fasted too. In Acts 13, the believers worshipped and fasted before sending Barnabas and Saul on mission, and in Acts 14 appointments of elders were made with prayer and fasting.
What Jesus said to do while fasting
The key passage is Matthew 6:16 to 18. Jesus taught his followers to fast privately, with pure motives, rather than to seek approval from others. In practice, that means:
Do not advertise it. Do not put on a miserable face so that others notice.
Look normal. Wash your face and carry on with your day.
Fast for your Father. He sees what is done in secret.
One exposition of the passage adds that fasting must be accompanied by fervent prayer, attention to God’s Word and obedient living; otherwise it is merely not eating. That is a good test for any fast you plan.
Are there required fasting days for Christians?
Many people search for “fasting days for Christians” expecting a fixed calendar. Some church traditions do observe set days or seasons, such as the weeks before Easter. But the New Testament does not lay down a rule for every believer. One Bible teaching resource puts it plainly: there is to be no regularly scheduled fasting, and Christian fasting should not be compulsory. It may be practised because of a felt need.
That is freeing. You are not behind if you have never fasted, and you are not more spiritual for fasting often. A fast grows out of a real need: a decision, a season of grief, a longing for revival, a desire to give God your undivided attention.
If you find the idea of church seasons helpful, our article on what Lent means and its six weeks of prayer, fasting and giving shows how a shared rhythm can support personal practice. We also run seasons of focused prayer together, such as our 21 days of prayer.
Types of Christian fasting
The Bible does not hand us an official list, so different teachers group fasts differently. Most guides describe a handful of patterns drawn from biblical examples. Here are the ones you will meet most often.
Type | What it involves | Biblical picture |
Normal fast | Going without food but drinking water, for a day or part of a day | Jesus in the wilderness, where Luke records that he ate nothing |
Partial fast | Restricting certain foods or meals rather than everything | Daniel’s three weeks of limited eating in Daniel 10 |
Absolute fast | No food and no water, only for a very short time | Esther 4 and Acts 9, both brief and in crisis |
Non-food fast | Setting aside something else good, such as screens or entertainment | The principle of giving up a good thing to make room for God |
A few notes on each.
Normal fast. The regular fast abstains from all food except water. This is the most common starting point and the one most people mean by “a fast”.
Partial fast. This might mean skipping one meal a day, giving up sweets and meat, or eating only simple foods. It is a sensible option for people who cannot go without food entirely.
Absolute fast. Fasting from water as well as food is risky. One practical Christian guide notes that absolute fasts are not recommended, because water is essential to good health. For almost everyone, this is not a place to begin, and many would say it is not a place to go at all.
Non-food fasts. Some people fast from social media, television or shopping for a week. These can be valuable, especially for those who cannot safely abstain from food. The question to ask is the same: what am I putting in the place of this, and who am I turning toward?
How to fast as a Christian: a step-by-step approach
If you have never fasted before, treat your first attempt as a quiet experiment, not an endurance event.
1. Begin with a clear reason
Ask why you are fasting. Maybe you want to seek guidance on a decision, pray for a friend, repent of something, or simply draw near to God. Write one sentence down. It will help you on the afternoon your stomach is complaining.
2. Start small
One guide recommends beginning slowly, perhaps by missing one meal, and choosing a day with little physical activity. A lunch fast on a day at your desk is a far better first step than a three-day fast during a week of heavy work.
3. Plan what you will do instead of eating
This is the part many people skip. Decide in advance how you will use the time you would have spent preparing and eating the meal. Take that half hour to pray, read a psalm or a Gospel passage, or walk and talk with God. The fast gives you the space, and prayer fills it.
4. Drink water
Keep drinking water throughout the fast, unless a doctor has told you otherwise.
5. Consider the people around you
If you cook for a family, share a house or have a meeting over lunch, plan so that your fast does not become a burden or a spectacle. This is exactly what Jesus meant by looking normal.
6. Break the fast gently
When you eat again, begin with something light. Skipping meals can leave people tired and lethargic, and afterwards they may overeat or make poor food choices. A simple meal and a moment of thanks is a good way to close.
7. Give as well as go without
A fast can become an act of generosity. One practical guide suggests setting aside the amount your food would have cost and giving it to a worthwhile purpose, especially to feed the hungry. This echoes Isaiah 58 directly. If you would like to give through our church, here is how to give financially at Divergent Church.
Fasting and prayer: how they work together
Fasting without prayer is just hunger. Prayer is often accompanied by fasting as a spiritual practice to focus the person praying, and mealtimes can be set aside for dedicated prayer. One Australian reflection puts it this way: fasting is not an end in itself but a means directed toward a larger end, including prayer, mercy and reshaping life according to God’s will.
Here is a simple rhythm you can use on a fasting day:
Morning: Read a short passage such as Matthew 6:5 to 18 or Psalm 63. Tell God why you are fasting.
Midday (the meal you skip): Use that time to pray. Pray through the need, then simply sit quietly and listen.
Afternoon: Carry on with work and family as normal. Pray in short moments as things come to mind.
Evening: Read Scripture, give thanks, and break the fast. Write down anything you sensed or learned.
As you pray, keep the posture Jesus describes: humble, honest and trusting. Fast with a humble heart, not to seek approval or manipulate God, and read relevant Bible passages as you pray.
We have written more on this elsewhere: Fasting: Aligning our loves with God and his Kingdom explores the heart of the practice, and Consecration Fasting and Prayer looks at setting yourself apart for God.
Fasting for beginners: common questions and pitfalls
“What if I get a headache?” Mild hunger is normal. If you feel unwell, drink water, eat something and try again another time with a gentler plan. There is no shame in stopping.
“What if I fail halfway?” Then you have learned something about your limits. A fast is not a pass-or-fail exam. God is not waiting to catch you out.
“What if I feel nothing?” Fasting is not a technique that guarantees an experience. Keep showing up. Often the fruit is quiet: a clearer sense of what matters, more patience in prayer, more sympathy for those who are hungry.
“Should I tell anyone?” Jesus taught privacy. You might share with a spouse or trusted friend for accountability or practical reasons, but avoid announcing it for admiration.
If fasting becomes a source of anxiety or legalism, step back. Our piece on spiritual disciplines without legalism offers a four-week way to begin any discipline gently, and our lists of Christian habits for daily faith and faith practices for daily life can help you build a wider rhythm around it.
Health and safety: who should be careful
Caring for your body is part of honouring God, and it comes before any fast.
Australian health guidance on intermittent fasting is a useful reference point, because it describes the same kind of eating pattern. Healthdirect says it is not recommended for children, adolescents, older adults, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with a current or past eating disorder. It also advises that you stop and speak to your doctor if you feel weak, anxious or irritable, cannot concentrate, or cannot do your usual activities.
In practical terms:
If you have diabetes, take regular medication, or have a heart, kidney or other chronic condition, speak to your GP before you fast from food. Your doctor can tell you whether a fast is safe and how to adjust medication.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have ever had an eating disorder, do not fast from food. Choose a non-food fast instead, and talk to your doctor or a counsellor if the topic raises difficult feelings.
If you are under 18 or older and frail, talk with a parent, guardian or doctor, and consider a non-food fast.
If you feel faint, dizzy or unwell during a fast, stop, drink water and eat something.
A fast that harms you is not a fast that honours God. A non-food fast can be every bit as sincere.
Perspective: what fasting has taught us
We have never thought of fasting as a badge to wear. At Divergent Church we see it as one of the quiet ways a disciple of Jesus learns to align their loves with God and his Kingdom. Our city runs fast. Canberra’s universities, workplaces and neighbourhoods are full of people carrying heavy schedules, and many are new here and still looking for a place to belong. Into that pace, fasting speaks a simple word: slow down, and look up. When the lunch hour becomes a prayer hour, something shifts. We remember that we are creatures who depend on a Father, not machines who run on productivity. That is also why we do not practise fasting alone. A fast shared in community, with honest friends who pray with you and for you, is gentler and richer than a lonely test of will. We have walked through seasons of prayer and consecration together, and we have seen seeds planted in hidden places grow into fruit that no one could have planned. The bride of Christ is beautified in just such hidden obedience. So if you are curious about faith, or returning after a long time away, start small. One meal. One honest prayer. Let the hunger point you to the One who says he is the bread of life. We would love to walk alongside you. Josh
Take the next step with us
Fasting is easier and more fruitful when you are not doing it alone. Divergent Church is a Christian community in Canberra and Queanbeyan, shaped by Scripture, centred on Jesus and lived out in everyday life, not only on Sundays. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time, new to the city or looking for people to pray with, you are welcome.
You can find out about gatherings and ways to connect through our Grow page, or start at our home page to see what is happening and how to get in touch.
FAQ
What is the right way to fast as a Christian?
Fast with a humble heart, a clear purpose and a plan to pray. Keep it private, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16 to 18, and do not treat it as a way to earn something from God. Begin small, such as one meal, and drink water throughout.
What are the fasting days for Christians?
The Bible does not set a compulsory fasting calendar for every believer. Christian fasting is not required on a regular schedule and may be practised because of a felt need. Some churches mark seasons such as Lent, and you can join in if it helps your faith.
What did Jesus say to do while fasting?
Jesus told his followers not to put on a gloomy face to impress people, but to carry on as normal and fast for their Father, who sees what is done in secret. The fast is to be accompanied by prayer, attention to God’s Word and obedient living.
Is it safe to fast for beginners?
For many healthy adults a short fast of one meal is manageable, but not everyone should fast from food. Australian guidance advises that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have a current or past eating disorder, or who are children or older adults should avoid it. See your doctor first if you have any health condition or take medication.
Can I fast from things other than food?
Yes. Many Christians fast from social media, screens or entertainment for a day or a week. The principle is the same: set aside something good and use the time to pray and read Scripture. It is a wise option if food fasting is unsafe for you.
Sources
Recommended
Comments