The Form of Fasting 

Last week I reflected on a few intentions we might bring into our November 21st day of prayer and fasting, and this week I want to focus on the practical side of things: What are we going to do with our bodies and our time? What are we abstaining from? What forms of prayer are we embracing? 

While the Bible has a lot to say about fasting's spiritual significance, it's often a little light on logistical details. In some cases fasting includes abstenance from water (e.g., Esther 4:16), but not in others (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:12). We hear that people fast until evening (e.g., Judges 20:26), for a whole day (e.g., Leviticus 23:27-32), or for multiple days (e.g., 1 Samuel 31:13). As with worship music, the specifics of Christian fasting seem somewhat open to interpretation as far as Scripture is concerned. 

That being said, I want to offer a few recommendations for discerning the duration and contents of the fast: 

First and foremost, depending on your health, some forms of fasting may not be appropriate for you. Diabetes, taking blood thinners, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and several other conditions can make reducing food intake very dangerous. Eating disorders, too, can turn fasting into a manifestation of illness rather than an expression of love for God. Please talk to your family doctor if you're unsure whether fasting is safe for you or you're considering fasting from water as well as food. 

Secondly, if you plan to fast from something other than meals, like television, room temperature, or driving, I encourage you to choose something whose absence feels truly uncomfortable. Take the opportunity to sit in the discomfort of missing something and reach out to God from that place. For example, I would hardly notice if I went a day without chocolate or alcohol. Twenty-four hours without screens, on the other hand – that could just about put me on my knees. 

Thirdly, for those of you who are considering some form of meal-related fasting, but aren't sure where to start, here are some possible restrictions you might set for yourself: 

• Skip one or two meals during the daytime (recommended for beginners) 

• Eat no food from Friday evening until Saturday evening (a full day in the Hebrew Bible) 

• Eat no food from dawn until dusk (another ancient standard) 

• Eat no meat or animal products, as human beings did in the Garden of Eden, for any of the above periods (Genesis 1:29, 9:1-3) 

Starting points for worship 

And what about the "prayer" part of this "day of prayer and fasting?" 

On our own, some of us can freely pray for hours while others appreciate having an itinerary to follow. If you're in the latter category, feel free to take each meal time as an occasion for praying in a distraction-free space. Waking up and going to sleep also offer opportunities to give thanks and ask God's blessing. If at any point you don't know what or how to pray, don't be afraid to simply repeat the Lord's Prayer. 

On top of more conventional praying, depending on the heart posture(s) you're bringing into your fast, you may want to set aside a period for silent listening. Reading through a larger section of Scripture is another good devotional practice, provided you have the time and patience. Since fasting is a sign that Jesus has gone away, I recommend sitting with John 14-16, in which Jesus instructs his disciples about his departure. 

The day of prayer and fasting is also a chance to hold one another in prayer as a community. Whether you attend a physical gathering or not, dedicate a few moments to praying for others, for your congregation, for the global church, for people in the news, and for people in your phone contacts. For further reminders about who all you can pray for, explore some of the litanies that Mennonites, Orthodox, Anglicans, and other groups have used to guide their praying. 

If you are gathering with others, I encourage you to share the above practices together. In addition to singing, make room to silently listen for God's voice. In place of a sermon, you might take turns reading through parts of John 14-16 in small groups (it shouldn't take more than twenty minutes). People can be invited to name words or phrases that stand out as they read. I sometimes find congregational prayer feels a bit rushed on Sunday mornings, so consider giving it some extra time and attention. Try breaking into small groups so everyone has a chance to share the pains, worries, and needs they want prayer for. 

Finally, remember prayer and fasting don't need to be impressive or conventional to be legitimate. In fact, one of the few times Jesus mentions fasting directly, he makes sure to remind us it's about what God sees rather than what others see (Matthew 6:16-18). As we approach the day of prayer and fasting together I pray God nourishes our worship, however it looks, with a rich outpouring of Spirit and truth. May it be so!