FASTING

The goal of fasting is to draw near to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God, and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer, and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.


During our 20More initiative, we encourage you to participate in the 20 day fast, beginning September 21. This is part of your commitment to GROW through 20More. You may also choose to fast at other times during the year for your own spiritual development. It’s very typical to fast a single meal, a whole day, or three days or more. The timing of your fast is not as important as the strength of your focus on God as you fast.

Types of Fasts

  • 1

    Complete Fast In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.

  • 2

    Selective Fast This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet, and consume water and juice for fluids, and fruits and vegetables for food.

  • 3

    Partial Fast This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast,” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00A to 3:00P, or from sun-up to sun-down.

  • 4

    Soul Fast This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting from food, have health issues that prevent you from typical fasting, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast, and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.


Matthew 6:16-18

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

3Circle Church