Church-Wide Fast Planning Kit

Throughout Scripture, God’s people fasted together when they needed Him most. A church-wide fast can unite your congregation in prayer, renew hunger for God and mark a new season. This kit walks you through planning one, from six weeks out to the celebration at the end.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people.” Joel 2:15–16

Biblical examples of fasting together

Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming army and “proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chr 20:3).
Ezra proclaimed a fast “that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods” (Ezra 8:21).
Esther asked all the Jews in Susa to fast with her before she went to the king (Esther 4:16).
Nineveh “called for a fast” and turned from evil (Jonah 3:5).
The church at Antioch was “worshiping the Lord and fasting” when the Holy Spirit sent out Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2–3).

Step 1: Decide the why, when and how long

Decision	Recommendation
Purpose	Write one sentence: “We are fasting together to…” (seek God’s direction for a new year, pray for revival, a building decision, our city). Keep it about seeking God, never about weight loss.
When	January (a fresh start), the weeks before Easter (Lent), or ahead of a major decision or launch. Avoid major holidays.
Length	21 days is common and modeled on Daniel 10. First-time churches may choose 7 or 10 days.
Main fast	A Daniel fast (vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, water) works for most healthy adults, with other options for everyone else (Step 3).

Step 2: Leaders go first

Before announcing anything, the pastor, elders and staff commit to the fast themselves and agree to pray daily for the church. A church won’t follow leaders who announce a fast they aren’t keeping. Ask each leader to choose their fast and pair up with a prayer partner. (See the Leadership Commitment.)

Step 3: Offer a fast for everyone

Every person can take part in a way that is safe for them. Make the options equal. No one is “less spiritual” for choosing a non-food fast.

Option	What it looks like	Good for
Daniel fast	Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts and water; no meat, sweets or rich food	Most healthy adults
Partial fast	No food from waking until 3 p.m. or sundown, with a normal evening meal	Experienced adults cleared by their doctor
One-meal fast	Skip one meal a day (often lunch) and pray instead	Beginners
“Give up one thing”	Give up one food or drink: sweets, soda, coffee, fast food	Anyone
Non-food fast	Social media, TV, streaming, video games, shopping or phone use after dinner	Anyone who shouldn’t fast from food, and a great addition for all
Kids and teens	Never a food fast. Give up a toy, screen time or a treat, and join family prayer	Everyone under 18

Step 4: A clear safety plan

Say this from the platform and print it on every handout: talk with your doctor before fasting from food if you are pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive, have diabetes or blood-sugar problems, take medication (especially for blood pressure or the heart, or any medication that must be taken with food), have a history of an eating disorder, or have any chronic health condition. Anyone under 18 should not fast from food.

Drink plenty of water throughout the fast.
Stop and eat if you feel faint, dizzy, confused or unwell.
Break a fast gently with small, simple meals.
Have pastors or group leaders ready to follow up privately with anyone who shares a struggle with food.

Print the Fasting Quick Card for every attendee.

Step 5: The six-week plan

When	What to do
6 weeks before	Leaders pray and decide purpose, dates, length and options. Pick a kickoff Sunday and a closing celebration date.
5 weeks before	Leaders commit personally. Recruit a prayer team and a communications helper. Book the room for weekly prayer nights.
4 weeks before	Prepare materials: commitment cards, the 21-Day Daniel Fast guide, the Fasting Quick Card, the prayer guide below, social graphics.
3 weeks before	First announcement from the pulpit. Share the purpose and the options. Post on social media and in the bulletin.
2 weeks before	Hand out guides and commitment cards. Offer a short “how to fast” class after church. Small-group leaders plan how their groups will join.
1 week before	Preach on fasting (use Hungry for God). Collect commitment cards. Remind people to plan meals and shopping.
During the fast	Kickoff prayer service. Weekly prayer nights. Daily Scripture and encouragement by text, email or app. Mid-fast check-in and testimony time.
Final Sunday	Closing celebration: testimonies, the Lord’s Supper, and a shared meal to break the fast together.
After	Share what God did. Deliver the generosity offering. Ask what worked for next year.

Step 6: A shared prayer focus

Give the whole church the same prayer focus each week so everyone is praying together.

Week	Focus	Scripture
1	Personal renewal: confession, surrender, a fresh hunger for God	Psalm 51:10–12; Psalm 42:1–2
2	Families and our church: marriages, children, leaders, unity	Ephesians 3:14–21; John 17:20–23
3	Our city and the world: the lost, the poor, missionaries, our nation’s leaders	Isaiah 58:6–12; 1 Timothy 2:1–4

For a 7- or 10-day fast, use one focus for every two or three days.

Step 7: Make it generous

God’s chosen fast includes sharing “your bread with the hungry” (Isa 58:7). Invite everyone to give what they save on food, coffee or eating out to a food pantry, missions partner or benevolence fund. Announce the total at the closing celebration.

Sample announcement

“On [DATE], our church will begin [21] days of prayer and fasting together. We’re seeking God for [PURPOSE]. There’s a way for everyone to take part, from a Daniel fast to a fast from social media, and kids can join too by giving up a toy or screen time. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, please talk with your doctor and choose a non-food fast. Pick up a guide and commitment card in the lobby, and join us for prayer every [DAY] at [TIME].”

Commitment card

[Church name] · [21] Days of Prayer and Fasting

I will seek God with my church

My fast: ☐ Daniel fast ☐ Partial fast ☐ One meal a day ☐ Give up one thing: ________ ☐ Non-food fast: ________

I’m praying for:

My prayer partner:

If I have a health condition, am pregnant or nursing, or take medication, I will talk with my doctor before fasting from food.

Name (optional):

More resources

A Beginner’s Guide to Biblical Fasting
21-Day Daniel Fast with food guide and daily readings
Fasting Quick Card (print for everyone)
Hungry for God sermon and kids’ lesson
Jentezen Franklin’s free Fasting Guide with Daniel Fast recipes