Prep for February: Thinking about fasting as prayer

• Why fast?
• Consider other ways to fast or things to fast from besides just types of food.
• Could you fast from something that gets in the way of your relationship with God, or in the way of your connection to that which is greater than you?
• How can we support you in the fast you choose?

Types of fasting and prayer (click the links for more info):

• Yom Kippur, Jewish Day of Atonement: 25 hours
• Muslim Ramadan: 29 days, from dawn to sunset
• Daniel fast (Daniel 1: 1-16): Directions: 10 days, only plant based foods, no rich foods, seasonings, oils, only water to drink

Other biblical readings about fasts: 

• How to Pray and Fast: Matthew 6:1-18
• Choosing a fast: Isaiah 58: 5-7 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself?
• The Ezra Fast: Ezra 8:21-23
• The Samuel Fast: 1 Samuel 7: 1-8
• The Elijah Fast: 1 Kings 19:2-18
• The Disciples' Fast: Matthew 17: 20-21
• The Widow's Fast: 1 Kings 17:12
• The Paul Fast: Acts 9: 9-19
• The John the Baptist Fast: Matthew 3: 4, Luke 1: 15
• The Esther Fast: Esther 4:16

Resources about Fasting

General information about fasting

 

An Excerpt from The Sacred Art of Fasting: Preparing to Practice by Thomas Ryan

Thomas Ryan explores the uses of fasting for health and as a spiritual practice. In this excerpt on devotion, he suggests ways to fast for those who because of health, age, or life circumstances cannot fast in the traditional sense of abstaining from food and drink. He notes that even for those who are able to fast, these alternate forms can supplement a regular, traditional fast day or replace a day of fast.
He offers these options and more:
Fast with your eyes from TV or video, and reflect more
Fast with your ears from radio or CD's, and listen more to your own heart
Fast with your feet and stop going and going, and offer yourself a daily quiet half-hour
Fast from complaining, and give thanks instead

 

Beggar's Bowl Fasting Practice

Books about Fasting

Fasting by Scot McKnight 
Book Review By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

The Sacred Art of Fasting:Preparing to Practice by Thomas Ryan
Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

 

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts by Elmer Towns