Prayer and Fasting

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

The Bible teaches us that there are issues that can only be broken through prayer and fasting. We’re praying and fasting for a spiritual breakthrough in the areas where there is stagnation, limitation, and delay.

1. Fasting Draws You Closer to God
2. Fasting Helps You Overcome the Flesh
3. Fasting Increases Your Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
4. Fasting Helps You Develop Discipline and Focus
5. Fasting Helps You Hear God Clearly
6. Fasting Helps You Resist Temptation
7. Fasting Opens the Door for Breakthrough

1. Water Fast — No food or drink, except water.
2. Liquid Fast — No food. Beverages allowed.
3. Partial Fast — Partial Fast — From sun rise to sun down, 6am - 6pm. One meal a day.
4. Daniel Fast — No meats, sweets, diary. Only fruits, nuts, veggies, & water
5. Non-Food Fast — Abstaining from TV, social media, caffeine, etc
   RECOMMENDED for pregnant/nursing women, teens, or people on medication

You are not locked into one option. You can start with one type of fast and switch to another later. What matters most is sacrifice.

If you choose to transition from a water or liquid fast to eating once a day, don’t start with your regular food; it can hurt your stomach. Begin with something light, like soup or broth.

1. Replace eating with reading of God's word
2. Engage with God in prayer
3. Overcome physical challenges with rest/wisdom.
4. Remove distractions (like excessive entertainment)
5. Don't fast to be seen by people.

How to Break Your 21-Day Fast Safely

Before you begin your fast, it’s also important to know how to properly end it so that you don’t hurt yourself. By the end of a 21-day water or liquid fast, your stomach has significantly shrunk. Even small amounts of food can make you feel full.

Your digestive system also has been resting, and digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile production are low. Before you return back to your regular diet, your body needs time to properly “wake up” its digestion again. Eating too much or too fast can cause bloating, nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea.

Keep in mind that your mental hunger is often stronger than your physical hunger. So don’t overeat just because you missed eating. Something important to remember: the longer the fast, the longer the transition. A 21-day fast should take at least 3 days to come out of properly. A 40-day fast should take at least 7 days.

Keys Reminders:

1. Never break a long fast with a normal meal.
   Food to avoid during the first few days of eating:
   • Bread
   • Sugar
   • Dairy
   • Processed foods
   • Eggs
   • Nuts
   • Meat

These require more stomach acid and enzymes to digest than the body has when you initially break the fast. Sugar also increases hunger and pull your body out ketosis too quickly.
*Ketosis is when the body is using ketones for fuel instead of glucose.

2. Begin with gentle foods.
   For day one of eating, stick to gentle options like cooked rice water, chicken broth, or bone broth.Over the next few days, begin to eat small portions of steamed vegetables and cooked tomatoes. You may add tofu to your broth for light substance. Avoid rice or potatoes, as those are more difficult to digest.
   You may begin to add juice after the first few days, though with caution. Be sure to monitor acidity and watch for sugar content.
3. Introduce more solid foods only after several days of breaking your fast. Some examples include:
   • Boiled eggs
   • Steamed zucchini
   • Steamed carrots
   • Cantaloupe
   • Papaya
   • Unsweetened Applesauce

Healthy habits are holy habits.
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:17