Topic 4 · Spiritual discipline

Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual discipline for seeking God, not a diet or a weight-loss plan. Here is why and how Christians fast, with clear medical safety guidance on every page.

Beginner’s guide 21-Day Daniel Fast

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.”

Matthew 6:16–18

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Free to read, print and use in your church.

Guide

A Beginner’s Guide to Biblical Fasting

What fasting is, why Christians do it, how to start safely, and what to do with your hunger.

15-minute read

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Challenge

21-Day Daniel Fast

A three-week partial fast modeled on Daniel 10, with a simple food guide and a reading for each day.

Food guide and daily readings

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Kit

Church-Wide Fast Planning Kit

Everything a church needs to plan and lead a church-wide fast: timeline, options for every person, safety plan, prayer focus, announcements and a commitment card.

For pastors and leaders · 6-week plan, templates and prayer guide

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Printable handout

Fasting Quick Card

A pocket guide to fasting: why, how, and who should not fast from food.

Half page · hand out in week 3

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What the Bible shows

Types of fasts in Scripture

Type	Example	What it involves	Our guidance
Normal fast	Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4:1–2)	No food; water only	Start with one meal or one day
Partial (“Daniel”) fast	Daniel 1:12; 10:2–3	No rich food, meat or wine for a set time	The best starting point for most people
Absolute fast	Esther 4:16	No food or water, three days	Described, not recommended
Corporate fast	Joel 2:15; Ezra 8:21; Acts 13:2–3	A whole church fasting together	Pair it with a church prayer focus
Non-food fast	The principle of 1 Cor 6:12	Giving up media, screens or another habit	An equal option for anyone who can’t fast from food

The teaching

Why believers fast

Jesus said when you fast, not if (Matt 6:16–18).
To humble ourselves, repent, seek guidance, grieve and worship.
In secret, not for show (Matt 6:16–18).
True fasting leads to justice and generosity (Isa 58:3–7).
Rules alone don’t produce holiness (Col 2:20–23).

Medical safety

Who should not fast from food without a doctor’s approval

Anyone with a history of an eating disorder
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
People with diabetes or blood-sugar problems
Anyone under 18
People taking blood pressure or heart medications

These groups can still fast from something other than food, and that counts fully. Source: Bastyr University.

Go deeper

Recommended: Jentezen Franklin on fasting

Recommended book

Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God

Jentezen Franklin · New York Times best seller

Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of Free Chapel, is one of today’s best-known voices on biblical fasting, and he encourages believers to begin each year by giving God their first through fasting, prayer and giving. This book walks through the kinds of fasts in the Bible, how to choose the right one, how fasting and prayer work together, and what to expect physically, mentally and spiritually.

Get the book Visit his fasting page

Free fasting resources from Jentezen Franklin Ministries

Resource	What it is
Fasting Guide (PDF)	A 21-day Daniel Fast guide with a food list, 21 recipes and a meal-plan template
Why Fast?	Biblical reasons to fast, alongside giving and prayer
Ways to Fast	Daniel fast, partial fast, full (liquids-only) fast and 3-day fast
Fasting Tips	Practical tips for getting started
Nine Reasons to Fast (PDF)	A short article
Good for the Body (PDF)	A short article on fasting and the body
Fast for Specific Needs (PDF)	Praying and fasting with a clear focus
Fasting as a Lifestyle (PDF)	Making fasting a regular rhythm

These resources are from another ministry, and we don’t control their content. Before any fast from food, please read our safety guidance: people who are pregnant or nursing, have diabetes or a history of an eating disorder, take medication, or are under 18 should talk with a doctor first, or choose a non-food fast.