What Is Fasting?

The CCCOG Coporate Fast is January 6-26. You are welcomed to join us!

WHAT IS FASTING? 

Biblical fasting is a spiritual discipline that involves reducing or eliminating food intake for a specific time and purpose. When we fast, we are humbling ourselves and feasting on the Lord, looking to Him for comfort, power, strength, guidance, forgiveness, and hope.

In the New Testament, it was expected that fasting would be a part of the believers’ normal devotional life. Jesus expected His followers to regularly fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15). For Jesus it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. 

EXAMPLES OF FASTING IN THE BIBLE 

• Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

• The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory. (2 Chronicles 20:2-3)

• Daniel fasted to receive guidance from God. (Daniel 9:3, 21-22)

• Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project. (Nehemiah 1:4)

• Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation. (Luke 4:2)

• The first Christians fasted during-decision making times. (Acts 13:2-3)

BENEFITS OF FASTING

• Fasting helps you get your soul under control. It humbles and afflicts our soul enabling us to prioritize and operate in the Spirit rather than our flesh.

• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition. It helps you get right with God if you use your fast to humble yourself, mourn, and turn to God. 

• God wants to use our fast to bless someone else! It is more blessed to give than to receive, so we must fast, pray, and do for others.

• As you fast, God responds to your cry, answers according to His will, and makes Himself available! 

• Fasting is chosen by God “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke” (Isa. 58:6). 

• Fasting helps set us up for victory in the fight! 

• As we fast, He provides, satisfies, and fills us up! You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. 

• Fasting helps us to hear from God clearly and get His direction. When you fast, “the LORD shall guide thee continually” (Isa. 58:11). 

• Fasting helps you defeat the devil! 

CCCOG CORPORATE DANIEL FAST

As a church, we will be participating in the Daniel Fast for 2025 is from January 6 to January 26th. Ultimately, the fast you choose and how you modify your fast are between you and God, and He will honor your best sacrifice. 

ATTENTION: If you are on medication and/or have health issues, please consult your physician before beginning any fast!

Foods You Get to Enjoy

• Fruits and vegetables: All types, fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned 

• Whole grains: Barley, oats, whole wheat, brown rice, popcorn, quinoa, rolled oats, millet, rice cakes, etc.

• Beans and legumes: Black beans, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, great northern beans, green beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, black-eyed peas, green peas, split peas, and lentils 

• Nuts and seeds: All types, raw and unsalted, including almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflowers, flax, sesame, and walnuts 

• Oils: Vegetable oils like canola, coconut, grapeseed, olive, peanut, sesame, avocado, and walnut 

• Liquids: Water, unsweetened plant beverages like soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk, herbal tea, and 100% fruit/vegetable juice without added sugar 

• Herbs and spices: All fresh and dried herbs and spices 

• Other: Tofu, vinegar, seasonings, baking soda, and plant-based sweeteners (stevia, monk fruit sweetener)

Foods to Avoid

• Animal products: All meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs 

• Leavening agents: Bread made with yeast 

• Sweeteners: No added sugars are allowed on the Daniel Fast, including agave nectar, honey, brown rice syrup, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, raw sugar, brown sugar, table sugar, and artificial sweeteners

• Refined and processed foods: Foods with artificial preservatives, artificial flavorings, white rice, and white flour 

• Deep-fried foods: Potato chips, French fries, and corn chips 

• Solid fats: Butter, lard, shortening, and margarine 

• Some beverages: Alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, and energy drinks 

• Chocolate: Milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate, as well as chocolate syrup, cacao, and cocoa powder

YOUR PERSONAL PRAYER REQUEST

This fast is the time for you to go before the Lord with your requests. When fasting, you can pray for many things, including:

• Spiritual renewal

• Clarity of mind

• Deeper understanding

• Grace to complete your fast

• Humility

• Guidance

• Healing

• Breakthroughs and resolution of problems

• Special grace

  
  

FASTING TIPS

• Step One: Set Your Objective. Why are you fasting? Start with a clear and specific goal. Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

• Step Two: Set Your Commitment. How will you fast? Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon it.

• Step Three: Prepare Yourself Spiritually. Fasting isn’t so much about how God responds to your prayers: it’s more about how you bring your prayers to Him. 

  • Confess every sin

  • Seek forgiveness and forgive

  • Make amends 

  • Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

  • Surrender your life fully to Jesus 

  • Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others

  • Have an expectant heart

  • Watch for the works of Satan

• Step Four: Prepare Yourself Physically. Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have any underlying health conditions such as pregnancy, anemia, behavioral disorders or other chronic health problems. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Prepare your body. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods before starting the fast. You may experience:

  • Temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. 

  • Some physical discomforts, especially.

  • Hunger pains, dizziness, or the “blahs.” 

  • Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. 

  • Weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.

• Step Five: Put Yourself on a Schedule. For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside time to be alone with the Lord. Dedicate this fasting time to devotional activities:

  • Reading God’s Word

  • Praise and worship 

  • Prayer throughout the day

  • Journal as God speaks to you

  • Prayer walk

• Step Six: End Your Fast Gradually. Begin eating your preferred foods gradually. Don’t overeat them immediately.

Remember, if you fail to make it through this fast, do not be discouraged. It happens to everyone. It doesn’t have to be the end of your fast. Don’t let a momentary lapse define your fast. Pick back up where you left off. God will honor you for your faithfulness.