Fasting can significantly impact our lives. Through prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit can transform us, and God can speak in new ways. It also works on a larger scale.

When we fast with a genuine, broken spirit, seeking God’s face and not just His gifts, He can work by healing our lives, families, churches, communities, and nation. Prayer and fasting can bring a harvest, fulfil the Great Commission, expedite revival, and change our country's direction. Biblical fasting is denying oneself to seek and honor God. If prayer connects us with God, fasting disconnects us from distractions.

Here are key truths about fasting's power:

• Fasting was a common discipline in both the Old and New Testaments. Moses fasted for 40 days twice, as did Jesus, who emphasised "when" to fast, not "if."
• Fasting is essential for humbling ourselves before God; David said in Psalm 35:13, “I humble myself through fasting.”
• It allows the Holy Spirit to reveal our true spiritual condition, leading to brokenness, repentance, and a restored intimacy with Jesus.
• Fasting can deepen our prayer lives and make God’s word come alive within us.

When preparing to fast, choose a plan that suits you. There’s no more spiritual value in one type of fast over another. Fasting can include food or other things like social media, TV, and entertainment—anything we’re accustomed to, so it challenges us to give it up. The goal is to focus on God, turning to prayer or Bible reading when tempted by hunger or distractions. Don’t let what you exclude become the focus; instead, use this time to disconnect from daily routines and connect more deeply with the Lord.

1. Start where you are - We are all at different stages in our journey with God, with unique schedules, health, and energy demands. Whether fasting is a regular practice or this is your first time, start where you are. Fasting should challenge you, but only you know your situation. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, and remember, the goal is not simply giving up Instagram or chocolate, but drawing closer to God.
2. Advanced decision-making - Pray about the fast you should undertake and commit to it before starting. Jesus encouraged fasting in Matthew 6:16-18, emphasizing it’s a “when,” not “if.” Decide in advance what type of fast God wants you to do and how much time you’ll devote to prayer and Bible reading. Making these decisions ahead of time will help you stay committed when temptations arise. You can fast for all 20 days or just a few days within that period, depending on your circumstances. The key is to choose a fast that challenges you but works within your life, helping you rely on God.

Protecting your health is crucial, especially if you're on medication or have conditions like diabetes, heart issues, or cancer. When done wisely, fasting can be both spiritually and physically beneficial.

If you have medical concerns, consult your doctor before fasting. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid strict fasting, but other forms of spiritual focus can still be helpful. For those with eating disorders, fasting from distractions like TV, social media, or shopping may be more suitable, as fasting should bring us closer to God, not fixate on food. Trust in God’s grace and peace to guide your decisions.

The foundation for fasting and prayer is personal humbling, repentance, confession and inviting the Lord once again to be Lord of every area of our lives. Prayerfully consider the following:

• Remember, God is our loving Father, and He is for us.
• Confess any sin the Holy Spirit brings to mind (1 John 1:9).
• Seek forgiveness from those we've offended and forgive those who have hurt us (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4).
• Invite God to fill us with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 5:14-15).
• Surrender fully to Jesus as Lord and resist living by our old nature (Romans 12:1-2).
• Begin fasting and prayer with expectation (Hebrews 11:6).
• Be prepared for spiritual opposition as we pursue God more deeply (Galatians 5:16-17).
• Remember, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)