Dos and Don’ts of Christian Fasting You Don’t Want to Miss
Learn what not to do when fasting as a Christian. This knowledge will make you more effective at it.
For that reason, in this Bible Study, I provide thirteen dos and don’ts of Christian fasting that you should implement as you execute your fast!
If you prefer the Video Bible study, click this link!
As a person interested in fasting, I don’t want you to see these tips and suggestions as Christian fasting rules because they are not.
I struggled with fasting until I got it right. You don’t have to struggle too. Learn from my mistakes.
I don’t want you to think of these as “Christianity fasting rules” because they are not. Instead, see the following as tips that you could implement to make your fasting more effective.
So, adopt and implement them and your fasting will take off!
Do’s And Don’ts of Fasting And Praying
Table of Contents
13 Dos And Dont’s of Christian Fasting
#1 – Do Start Small
→ As a beginner, do start small. You don’t need to start Christian fasting big. Start small by fasting for just a few hours at first.
→Then gradually increase it to where you want to be. Ease into it!
→If you allow it to get to you, Christian fasting could be intimidating.
Many Years Ago I Couldn’t Finish a Fast!
Many, many years ago I couldn’t finish a fast. I would start it but before the designated end time I would break it by eating and or drinking.
I tried fasting several times before I got it right!
→ Focus on fasting. Don’t concentrate on the dos and don’ts of fasting and praying. If you do that it will eclipse the significance of this essential spiritual ritual.
→However, rushing into fasting is one of the things not to do while fasting as a Christian.
→This is not the same as keeping fasting periods short.
→The length of your fast determines that. Remember that you could fast for different durations. For example a few hours to three days and three nights.
→But starting small will help you to complete the fast and build your confidence to finish future fastings.
#2 – Do Set A Fasting Goal
→Do establish your fasting goal. Don’t start your fasting unless you have first established your fasting goal.
→Don’t have multiple goals. Fast about one thing at a time.
→This is another area where our fasting differs from the World’s.
→We fast for spiritual reasons first. For example, say someone is attempting to evict you from your apartment illegally and you have tried everything but nothing works, then fast about it.
→While fasting, ask the Lord to intervene and stop this illegal act. Then watch Him work on your behalf!
→This will ensure that your fasting is focused (Esther 4:16).
→Fasting with a particular objective in mind aids us to determine the failure or success of the fast. Did you achieve or not the objective of the fasting?
→Thus, establish early what you desire to accomplish through your fasting. It will assist you to determine the failure or success of your efforts!
#3 – Do Establish The Length Of Your Fast
→ Having established why you are doing your Christian fasting, now decide on the length of it. How long will you be fasting?
→You decide how long to fast. The Bible is silent on fasting duration. Will you be fasting for a few hours or three days?
→ Similarly, the Holy Bible is silent on fasting frequency. It doesn’t inform us how often we should fast. We must determine and know this based on our spiritual needs!
→ Deciding this will also make your fasting very focused!
→ In this respect, the Bible imposes no restrictions so you decide the length of your fast.
→I cannot remember ever fasting and didn’t establish the fasting duration long before the actual fast began.
→Decide this before you fast! Every biblical fast has a definite start and end time. When these events are known in advance we could storm the Throne of Heaven during that time to achieve our objective!
#4 – Do Tell Only These People!
→ However, If you have a spouse you must discuss this with him or her respectively before the fast.
→ Concerning Christian fasting, we cannot displease our mates and please the Lord God.
→ This is especially true for long fasting. But it is also relevant for a short 24-hour fast. So, communicate with your spouse to avoid problems.
→Do inform your spouse about your fasting in advance of it.
→ This is another reason our spouse MUST consent to our long fasting for it to be acceptable to God.
→ I never go fasting without the full support of my wife and best friend!!
→ Don’t wait until your spouse made breakfast for you before you reveal that you are fasting!
#5 – Do These Tasks as Usual
• Besides those persons who must know that you are fasting, nobody should by observation, detect that you are fasting (Matthew 6:16).
• Do your hygiene routines as usual. Do your shower, and grooming, but pay especially close attention to oral care.
• Brush, floss, gargle, lotion, and spray on your usual body fragrance.
• Don’t allow your hygiene and appearance to change or deteriorate during fasting.
• Look and smell like your usual self!
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:16
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.”
Matthew 6:17
#6 – Do Meditate
→ However, meditate ONLY on the Word of God.
→Think about your fasting objective, locate relevant Scripture verses in the Bible that address it, and read and meditate on them.
→ Ask the Lord for answers to questions that matter to you.
→ Ask the Lord questions.
#7 – Do Memorize A Scripture
→ Memorizing a Scripture verse while fasting is optional. However, I highly recommend that you don’t make it an option. Instead, do it and watch how you will grow in Christ!
→ While you are executing your Christian fasting you are in an ideal position to memorize a verse of Scripture.
→ Therefore, identify a Scripture that speaks to your fasting goal or one that is relevant to what you are afflicting your soul for and memorize it.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
#8 – Don’t Make Any Announcement
→ This is a personal fast, so few people should know about it. As a result, don’t tell your friends and coworkers that you are fasting.
→ Even if you regularly have lunch with a group of family, friends, or colleagues don’t inform them about your fasting.
→ While it’s important to demonstrate that you care and consider others while you are fasting it is more important to obey Jesus’ command concerning how you fast!
→ Therefore, do inform them that you cannot dine with them the day of your fast but don’t reveal that you are fasting.
→ Fast in secret to the Lord and He will bless you openly.
#9 – Don’t Stress About The Dos and Don’ts of Christian Fasting
→ Don’t worry and stress about your fast. You won’t achieve anything by worrying.
→Later, when you start it, you will realize that it was much easier than it may have appeared.
#10 – No Public Devotions
Set Aside Time For Praying
→ I sometimes observe people on public transportation like taxis, buses, and trains doing devotions!
→ Don’t emulate them.
→ If reading your Bible and praying are so important to you, to the extent that you MUST do them, then why don’t you wake early enough to complete them at home?
→ While doing your Christian fasting or otherwise, please read your Bible and pray in secret (Matthew 6:18).
→ We are fasting to God, not to man!
→ There are no biblical pre-written prayers to say while fasting.
#11 – Don’t Be Intimate
“The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.”
“Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
1 Corinthians 7:4-5
→ This is important and other religions other than Christianity recognize the importance. For example, Muslims and Jews don’t involve in sexual intimacy during fasting.
→ Since Christian fasting is a spiritual event we should never combine the natural with the spiritual.
→ Furthermore, there is no biblical example of any person being intimate while fasting.
→ Thus, even married couples should abstain from sexual intimacy during Christian fasting (1 Corinthians 7:4-5).
→ This is another reason our spouse MUST consent to our long fasting for it to be acceptable to God.
#12 – Can You Drink Coffee While Religious Fasting?
Things Not to Do While Fasting As A Christian
When discussing things not to do while fasting as a Christian these are not optional. They are more severe than things to avoid.
Instead, they are tasks that you should not perform during this ritual. For example, can Christians drink coffee while fasting?
No! Drinking coffee would terminate the fast.
The following list is not exhaustive just an important guide:
→ I love coffee. I have several cups of it daily, sometimes too many to reveal.
→ And I love my Starbucks black and strong.
→ So, I understand how difficult it could be not to drink it while fasting!
→ Nevertheless, during your Christian fasting, if you eat any food or drink any fluid you have broken your fasting respectively.
→Therefore, don’t eat or drink anything, including coffee, until you are ready to end your fasting.
What You Should Not Do When Fasting?
→Do not drink any water while you are fasting.
→Drink no alcohol either
→ But not even vitamins should you take while fasting!
→Do not eat any protein this ends the fast.
Should You Exercise While Fasting?
Why would you want to exercise while fasting? If we are attempting to “realign our hearts’ affections with His” how does physical exercise aid us to accomplish this?
→Additionally, we don’t exercise or go on walks while fasting. Don’t blur the focus of your fast. Preserve your energy to finish your fast.
Not only should we preserve every ounce of energy we have to finish the fast but by not exercising we honor the Word of God.
The Word of God encourages us to “afflict” our “souls” as we fast. We cannot be going on walks and punishing our souls simultaneously! It’s one or the other. Choose “other”.
→If you are having fun by going on walks and such you are not afflicting your soul, you wouldn’t be fasting you’re just avoiding food.
→Fasting doesn’t cleanse our hearts for we must appear before God with acceptable hearts even before we commence to fast.
#13 – Temptations
Watch out for temptations. The Devil will tempt you at two crucial times, while you are fasting and immediately after it.
During the fast he will tempt you to break it before time, thus he will do that with delicious foods and drinks.
He tempted Jesus with food while he was fasting. He will tempt you too.
Secondly, immediately after you have broken your fast you will face temptations about what you fasted about.
For example, if you fasted to be a kinder person, you will face temptations to test that. So, be watchful!
If You Fast About This You Could Experience That!
Finally, if you are fasting to master your emotions you may experience temptations geared towards you getting angry while fasting as a Christian.
If you yield to it you will feel like you have failed. But you have not. Being angry is not a sin. If you feel guilty this could weaken you.
One of the spiritual goals of our fasting is to make us more effective Christian Soldiers.
Therefore, I encourage you to be watchful. Resist the temptation and grow in the knowledge of Christ.
12 Do’s And Don’ts Of Spiritual Fasting From My Experience
Have you ever wondered, what not to do when fasting as a Christian? I have thought about this question and I have done some homework on it! What follows are my findings on the topic.
Christian fasting is never only about abstaining from some actions for a set time. That is basically planned starvation and such deprivation has no spiritual value.
Neither does fasting allow us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, such teachings are nonsense and devilish!
However, in Christianity, there are some things to avoid when fasting and praying. You should avoid these tasks, at all costs, to ensure that you have a successful fast.
What Not To Do While Fasting As A Christian
As a Christian, here is a partial list of things that will break your fasting! It supplies categories of what not to do when fasting and praying.
- Do not drink any fluids
- Don’t eat any foods
- No Sexual Intercourse
- Refrain from any behavior that will indicate to onlookers that you are fasting
Christian fasting is more than abstaining from foods and drinks, for, it’s one of the most powerful spiritual arsenals that we possess.
Therefore, if you execute it correctly you will have unimaginable success! So, follow your Bible!
Fasting In Christianity
The principles that govern Christian fasting are similar to those of Islam. Both have their origins from the same source, Judaism.
Things To Do While Fasting as a Christian
- Make time to read and study the Scriptures
- Don’t ever go on a Christian fast and not pray. You must pray or else, what is the purpose of fasting?
- Also, not only must you pray but should maximize every opportunity you get to pray. You don’t need a prayer schedule but pray every chance you get to do so.
- If it is possible, separate from others. Being in a room alone should help keep you focused on fasting.
- Read a Christian Book on a topic of your choice.
- Memorize a Scripture verse.
- Meditate on the Word of God, but especially Scriptures relating to the object of your fasting. For example, if you notice that you have been lying, then read, memorize, and meditate on Bible passages on that topic.
- Next, fast in secret. Matthew 6:16.
Don’t be deceived. What is the most important component of your Christian fasting?
For this reason, starting small is ideal for Christians new to fasting.
Things to Avoid When Fasting And Praying In Christianity
The dos and don’ts of Christian fasting are not Christian fasting rules but guides to make your fasting more efficient and effective.
This is how I want you to see and utilize these tips. They are not “rules”.
Consequently, below I list some things Christians should avoid as we fast and pray. However, they are mainly contingent on personal situations and circumstances.
It is not wrong to do these tasks while fasting. Doing them may not end the fast. But doing them will blur or detract from the focus of your fasting. So, avoid doing them! They render your fast less effective and unfocused!
Some may even be unbiblical and possibly contrary to the directives of the Holy Bible on fasting.
As a result, I encourage you to utilize the instructions of the Holy Bible as your ultimate authority on this subject.
- STOPPING: Avoid anything that distracts you from finishing your fast. For example, refrain from going on walks and exercise during this time. Preserve your energy to complete your fasting.
- SOCIALIZING: These tips are for personal fastings. Therefore, avoid groups, and people generally. We can’t approach God and socialize simultaneously. We must separate ourselves to accomplish this. All the prophets, in both the Old and New Testaments, practice this.
- TEMPTATION: Stay away from places where there are foods and drinks and others are there dining. Avoid locations and businesses with strong luring smells of foods and drinks. These situations shall tempt you to break your fasting.
- CHEWING GUM – Many people want to know, can you chew gum while fasting as a Christian? My recommendation: Do not chew gum on your fast! This could hurt you.
- EXERCISING – No exercising! This is not the same as afflicting the soul. Punishing our soul is one of our objectives.
- FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH OTHERS – Avoid this!
- REFRAIN FROM GOING ON WALKS: Instead, preserve your energy to finish your fasting.
- ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT: Avoid TV, Cable, the Internet, Social Media, and Video Games, etc while fasting. Many Christians spend so much time doing this that you could never guess they are fasting.
- Minimize time spent on your telephone talking with others.
Dos And Don’ts of Fasting And Prayer
There are no hard and fast rules for these. Many of the do’s and don’ts of fasting and prayer are personal, situational, and based on individual preferences and practices.
So, there are not many biblical don’ts all of which I have listed above.
However, for them to be Christians they must follow Bible principles, and other Christians, in the Bible, should have done them.
FAQ About The Dos And Don’ts of Christian Fasting
Things Not To Do When Fasting And Praying
You are fasting “to the Lord”. You have devoted the fasting duration to Him. Therefore most of your daily routine, during fasting, should be different from your regular day-to-day activities.
For example, if you call your friends regularly, or daily, at a certain time and discuss the happenings in your lives, then don’t do this while you are fasting.
Things Not To Do When Fasting
Since there is no Christian fasting without praying! Therefore, the answer to this question is identical to the one above.
What To Do While Fasting For God?
What this reader is really asking is, What to do while you are fasting to the Lord God? There are many things one could indulge in, but I list the most important ones above.
Can a Christian Watch Movies While Fasting?
Yes, but that is not an ideal or biblical activity associated with Christian fasting. However, it also depends on the type of movie too. What if the movie were “The Passion of Christ“? Watching it could definitely be beneficial to you during fasting. It could assist you in maintaining your focus on your fasting goal!
In Christianity – Can You Watch TV While Fasting?
One blog reader recently asked, Can you watch TV while fasting in Christianity?
Yes, you could but I wouldn’t recommend that you do. Recall that we desire that our fasting be acceptable to God.
To fulfill that requirement then we must stay focused on our fasting goal. One way to do this is to restrict our activities to those the Lord Jesus instructed us to do.
Watching TV during fasting is a distraction. Stay focus!
More FAQs About The Dos And Don’ts of Christian Fasting
What to Avoid During Fasting and Praying?
The things that we should avoid as we fast and pray are mainly situational and circumstantial, but contingent on each Christian’s day-to-day activities.
What Should You Not Do While Fasting?
The things that Jesus and His Church taught us not to do.
What Are Some Things Not To Do While Fasting?
Don’t tell others that you are fasting unless they need to know.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew 6:16.
Other Things to Avoid While Fasting as a Christian
On that note too, avoid eating gums and candies or sweets while you’re fasting. Many Christians, I know, while they’re fasting, to prevent their foul breath from embarrassing them, they would chew on gums.
That’s not good. It’s not good for your stomach because you are tricking your stomach to believe that you have eaten.
Then your stomach will secrete gastric juice to digest the food and that will hurt your stomach because there is no food in your stomach.
Moreover, by eating candies and sweets and stuff you’re breaking the fast. So avoid doing that.
Conclusion
If you desire to unleash the resurrection power of fasting, please consider all the do’s and don’ts of Christian fasting above and practice them.
They have their origins in the true Word of God!
These are not things that I just thought about or researched and wrote about, but these are the very habits that I practiced over the years, and they have gotten me to where I’m today!
Why Is Fasting And Prayer So Powerful?
Christian fasting is powerful!
Through it, we could break every spiritual stronghold and every bad habit that we desire to eliminate from our lives and we will grow spiritually simultaneously.
All the do’s and don’ts of Christian fasting above are important because we are devoting our fasting to the Lord God and not to man.
Fasting is a one-way street. No vehicle enters the street except at a designated entry point.
Similarly, nothing enters the body via the mouth. The only thing that should enter the body during fasting is spiritual and through the spirit.
What’s Next?
Now that you understand some of the dos and don’ts of Christian fasting, what are you going to do next?
→Think and decide on a habit you want to break then fast about it!
→ Select a short fast. Don’t fast for a day. Fast only for a few hours, say for four to six hours.
→Then do it!
→ As you become more comfortable and competent in fasting gradually increase your fasting time to your desired length and frequency.
In closing, may your Christian fasting be effective and successful!
