Mensa Otabil - Fasting 101 (10/24/2025)
Well, we are almost there. Today is the last day before our 40 Days of Power, and we prepare our hearts and minds to start, from tomorrow, to pray and fast for the next 40 days. So, today I’m going to focus on giving some instructions and practical steps if you want to do a fast of this nature. I’m going to provide guidelines, and my reading is from Matthew chapter 6, verses 17 to 18:
«But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but your Father who is in a secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.»
These are practical guidelines that Jesus gave to His disciples on how to fast. There is a spiritual aspect to what they’re doing, but He is telling them practically what to do, how to be hygienic, and so forth. I’m going to discuss some of that as we prepare for a long fast of 40 days.
There are some practical things that we need to do. First of all, we have to fast in faith. Fasting is done as an expression of faith unto the Lord; therefore, we don’t fast out of compulsion, we don’t fast out of legalism, and we don’t fast to please people. It is done in faith toward God, and we want to engage in activities that take us away from the physical and into the spiritual. So, we fast in faith.
Secondly, we start slowly. If you’ve never fasted before, begin a bit slowly. You may not be able to do a very complete fast for a long time, so please start slowly; take it easy. We have 40 days, and you will build up your momentum. By the time we hit the 20th day, you will find that you’re in your stride and can go for longer periods in prayer and fasting. Just give your body the chance to respond and to grow in the experience, but start well and grow with it.
For some of you, you may just miss a meal or two and then build your strength from there. Drink lots of water; the Bible does not reference a total fast, that is, no food and no water, lasting more than three days. So, if you’re going to do no food and no water, you can probably do it just for a day, then break every day, and continue the next day. Otherwise, just take a lot of water; water acts as a purifier and helps to flush out all kinds of toxins from your body, aiding in its sustenance.
So, please take in a lot of water and fluids to strengthen yourself. Third, don’t be too legalistic. You know, when I started to fast when I was younger, we were too legalistic. Sometimes, you forget yourself, and before you realize it, you’ve put some food in your mouth. You wonder, «Have I broken the fast?» I would say you haven’t broken the fast; you just miscalculated something.
Eat the morsel in your mouth; don’t add another one. Just eat what is in your mouth, swallow it, and continue with your fast. Some people want an excuse just to stop the fast and say, «Oh, I broke my fast because I put a peanut in my mouth.» Don’t be legalistic about that; eat what’s in your mouth and continue. Remember, it’s your heart, and God watches your heart. He sees your motives and rewards you according to the condition of your heart. But, of course, your physical actions also represent the condition of your heart.
When you have to break your fast, do so carefully. You know, sometimes people feel very hungry and rush to the food, attacking it. Eat at a pace that your body can easily manage. If you’re breaking your fast in the evening, please break very slowly with some fluids, probably a couple of juices, and then take very easy-to-digest meals.
Then you can continue the next day. If you overcompensate, your body won’t adjust to the routine of a fast. You have to do it in such a way that your body learns how to adapt to the fast. Guaranteed, by the seventh day, you will find it so easy to fast; you may actually find it more difficult to eat than to fast.
So just some tidbits there. Expect results; God will answer you because the Lord will respond to your call. Tomorrow is a great day as we start. Let’s pray.
Say with me: «Heavenly Father, help me to stay on course as I draw close to You. Let each day be a spiritual journey with You. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»