What are some types of spiritual fasting? This simple 21 day fast for spiritual growth is one that our church does each year, and includes a media fast, Daniel Fast, and a “build your own” fast.
The month of January is paved with good intentions. We want to start the new year off right; after all, it’s a clean slate and a fresh start.
We set goals and resolutions, make plans to purge the mess from our homes, reorganize rooms, attempt to make healthy food choices and exercise, and commit to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord.
Many of us try a new Bible reading plan or resolve ourselves to more consistent prayer time.
One thing we personally do is use the month of January as a focused time of prayer and fasting.
Often, when my husband was the pastor, we’d encourage the whole church to fast together in various ways. We’d spend extra time every January praying and fasting together as a church body.
Did you know fasting doesn’t have to be about ONLY abstaining from food for a set time period? There are many types of spiritual fasting, and how you choose to fast is between you and God.
One purpose of fasting is to deny our fleshly desires and, instead, increase the focus on growing our spiritual man. If your time of fasting accomplishes that purpose, it’s a wonderful feeling!
Here is a creative 21 day fasting plan for you to try as you seek to hear from Him in a more powerful way.
Table of Contents
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Spiritual Fasting Plan
Week 1: The Media Fast
Refrain from personal (not work-related) use of media, such as social media, TV, movies, and radio. Instead, use that time to read your Bible, pray, contemplate on God, encourage someone else, etc. Shut out some of the outside noise and listen for Him.
Doing this helps ease anxiety. It calms your soul. We’re bombarded with bad news on social media and our bodies weren’t built to carry the weight of the world. It’s time to shut it all out and give it to God — He wants to carry the weight of the world on His shoulders! He never intended for his children to carry such a heavy burden.
Week 2: The Daniel Fast
This is a fast (inspired by a passage in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament) where you don’t avoid all foods, just rich and heavy foods. No animal products, no added sweeteners… just simple, plant based foods.
I’ve written several detailed posts about this fast. Here are a few posts about the Daniel Fast to get you started:
- Daniel Fast Breakfasts
- Daniel Fast Dinner Recipes
- Daniel Fast Desserts
- Daniel Fast Snacks
- 21 Daily Prayers for the Daniel Fast
Week 3: “Build-Your-Own” Fast
Use your prayerful discretion here; you may choose to fast from all food for a 24-hour period, fast from your favorite food for the week, fast from food from sun-up to sundown for five days, fast from sugars and other sweeteners, continue the Daniel Fast, continue the media fast, etc.
Many people choose to do some form of intermittent fasting during this third week. Prayerfully consider your schedule and what God wants to accomplish in you.
This is entirely between you and God! Do whatever you think will be meaningful to your spiritual life, trusting that God will honor your effort.
Summary
Have you ever integrated a time of fasting into your spiritual life? Have you tried any other spiritual fasting plans? The benefits are not only spiritual growth, but increased focus on the things of God, greater awareness of His purpose for your life, and more peace in your heart.
Often, you’ll find physical benefits as well, such as decreased anxiety and possible weight loss. Of course, this isn’t a reason for spiritual fasting, but it’s an extra, and often welcome, result of this 21 day fast.
Go in grace today,
Jaime
P.S. For more encouragement during your Daniel Fast, be sure to check out my printable Daniel Fast scripture cards.
Up Next: 12 Different Types of Fasting in the Bible
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Love this inspiration..I’ve been thinking of starting a healthy raw food 2 week diet to get away from heavy foods..
so this inspires me and reminds me..I thought about it alot and then forgot!
Thank you for the inspiration.
I would like to start a Daniel fast. However, I’m not very nutiously fit. As far as eating right to begin. I don’t weigh very much. I’m already weakling. I don’t have muscle in my body. I may weigh 110 pounds.
I’m dehydrated mostly. Only bc I try to fast but I never do this right.
How does one start when your body is already weak in muscle. I have one arm. And my left arm doesn’t have strength like when I was younger. My legs are weak too. They tire out.
What’s the best way to fast when your not really fit.
Carmen, thanks for asking! I’m sorry to hear about your health issues and would urge you to talk with your doctor before you try any kind of fasting with/without food. Maybe consider the media fast in the meantime? Blessings to you and I will keep you in prayer!
You dont have to fast food.
I have the same problem as you. Fast something else like social media, tv, isolation and so many more.
Strongs
I would Say just doing what you can any type of fast because God excepts and sees that you are trying. And I know he will help you through it. God bless you sister??.
I fast chocolate every year for the entire month of February. Anyone who knows me knows what a true sacrifice this is (I’m something of an addict)!
Especially since February is Valentine’s month, so chocolate is literally *everywhere*.
I’m praying for the salvation of my kids, their spouses, my grandchildren, and my parents and brothers, so I’ve committed to fast chocolate every February until they’re all saved.
I am praying for a good life partner, I have been through a lot n have decided to pray n seek Divine assistance and healing from a broken heart.
I started a 21 day fast on January 12th, I only eat after sundown and only eat 1 meal. I pray as often. I feel like nothing os happening and feel really discouraged and emotional today. Am I not doing something wrong?
Thank you very much for the encouragement. We appreciate all your efforts in helping us to have a more intimate relationship with our creator.
Regards
Gugu Ngidi
South Africa