Fasting and prayer

A simple guide to fasting as a time of prayer, with health cautions, and a timer that stays on your phone.

Why Christians fast

Fasting is setting food (or some foods) aside for a time to give more attention to prayer and to God. Jesus spoke of fasting as something His followers would do (Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:15). The aim is not to earn anything from God, but to draw near to Him.

Kinds of fast

  • A partial fast: simple plain foods only, such as fruit, vegetables and water (compare Daniel 10:2-3).
  • Skipping one meal: use the time you would eat to pray and read the Bible.
  • A fast from something else: phone, television or social media for a set time.

Before you start

Decide what you will pray about, how long you will fast and what kind of fast it will be. Tell someone you trust. Keep drinking water.

Who should talk to a health worker first

Please do not go without food before you talk with a doctor, nurse or clinical officer if any of these is true for you:

  • You have diabetes, or take medicine for blood sugar (fasting can make sugar fall dangerously low).
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • You take any medicine every day (some must be taken with food).
  • You have heart, kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, an eating disorder, or have been unwell lately.
  • Children and teenagers should not go without food; they can fast from something else instead.

Stop and get help if

You feel faint, dizzy, confused, very weak, have a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or are being sick. Eat something and seek care.

Ending a fast

Break a longer fast gently with small, simple meals, and thank God for the time you spent with Him.

Starter text to review: written by our team as a first draft. This page is not medical advice; when in doubt, ask a health worker.

My fasting timer

Past fasts

    Kept only on this phone or computer. Drink water. Stop at once if you feel unwell.