How to Fast and  • Pray Successfully

“ Success in fasting and prayer comes from understanding what fasting produces in your life, especially in building faith, endurance, and closeness to God. Many don’t fast successfully simply because they lack an understanding of what fasting and prayer genuinely is. Fasting is defined simply as the voluntary act of abstaining from food or drink for a specific period to focus on spiritual growth.”

But Fasting and Prayer is not 

The Daniel Diet (That we call the Daniel fast) 

A Form of Consecration, Not Fasting The “Daniel diet” that we call “Daniel fast” is often misunderstood as a “fast,” but it’s actually more of a lifestyle choice rooted in consecration. In the Book of Daniel, Daniel and his companions chose not to consume the king’s rich food and wine, opting instead for vegetables and water. This personal decision set them apart by abstaining from certain foods that could defile their temple (body).“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine and asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” Daniel 1:8.

In Daniel 10:2-3, Daniel mentions that he was fasting for spiritual reasons: “At that time, I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” This reference highlights that while he did abstain from foods and drinks sought a deeper connection with God and an understanding of His will, which is the essence of true fasting. 

When considering the difference, remember that consecration (as seen in the Daniel Fast) and traditional fasting have their place in spiritual growth. Consecration is essential and powerful, but it is not fasting. Daniel has done both.

Starving on Purpose

Starving on Purpose is not fasting you’re pretending to fast and pray but neglect to feed your spiritual man (spending time with God, repenting, worshiping), only to indulge in anything and everything after 6 p.m., you weren’t fasting you were just starving yourself without purpose, Fasting and prayer is

intuitional secret and profound

Bulimia

Choosing not to eat and calling it fasting when you don’t eat anyway is incorrect. Fasting is not the same as avoiding food due to a disorder. Not eating is not fasting; it’s a disorder like bulimia, which can apply not only to overeating but also to not eating at all.

Basic Consecration

Some people say, “I am fasting on social media, music, places, or people, alcohol or candy... .” While separating yourself to focus on God is beneficial, But this is consecration, not fasting. You can consecrate yourself from many things and make it a lifestyle as we Christians should be consecrated daily, and yes, fasting requires a certain level of consecration, but they are not the same.

Fasting means abstaining from food and drink so that your spiritual man, through consecration, sacrifice, and devotion, can be nourished by

the Word of God, helping to break strongholds and demons within. Social media is not food for the body; abstaining from it is not fasting.

But Fasting and Prayer is

• Under-stand fasting and prayer 

Fasting and prayer brings us closer to God; around and in God there is light, living water, and consuming fire. As we decide to move close to Him, light, water, and fire enter our body, our life, our circumstances, and more. That’s why, when we are near to God, things happen faster. But we don’t fast for things! Let me explain. Everything you desire according to God’s plan for your life is in His hand, and it will be revealed to you if it can’t harm you Jeremiah 29:11, but also if you have enough faith to walk in the direction that will enable you to receive it:

light to sustain it, water to replicate it, and fire to fight for it. If it isn’t manifesting,it may be because there are areas in your life that need addressing; if not, those things in your hands could turn into a harmful (self-destructive) curse. This could be unforgiveness, pride, or generational curses . As we fast, the things meant to harm us lose their power in our bodies and any aspect of our lives. Jesus speaks about some kinds of demons only leaving through fasting and prayer Mark 9:29. But remember one thing: whatever curse operates in your life that block your blessing is inside of you (in your bloodline) ... , and it needs to die from within

These are the kinds Jesus was speaking about. When you fast, you willingly become a burnt offering, and the fire of God consumes you, renews you, and refills you.

• Over - come The Challenges

Some people hesitate to fast or struggle to keep a fast going because they dislike the feelings of hunger or thirst that accompany it. But here’s what we need to understand: discipline isn’t about comfort. The hunger and thirst you feel during fasting is a sign that something within you is dying. Fasting reminds us that we are killing our flesh willingly. Discomfort is necessary; we can’t avoid it if we want fasting to work. Just as some avoid working out to prevent soreness, others avoid fasting to avoid hunger pangs and thirst. But soreness after a workout shows that your muscles are responding.

Similarly, those feelings of hunger or thirst during fasting indicate that something within you is breaking down.

• Pro - gress during adversities

The Holy Spirit revealed to me that the feeling of hunger and thirst is a sign that an entity in my bloodline may be breaking down, but also that I am breaking down, making room for what my spirit man is receiving ( the way the truth and the light ) . This realization always makes me laugh but encourages me so much. It shifts my mindset from fearing discomfort to understanding it as a sign of progress. I feel discomfort, then read my Word and pray, and my response to the discomfort opens the door to powerful encounters with God. Yes, if you fast correctly, you will feel hunger and thirst. But as you turn down your plate and draw close to God, He will work miracles and reveal mysteries.

Embrace that feeling; don’t run away from it. It will draw you closer to Jesus, giving you a glimpse of what He experienced in the wilderness during His 40 days of fast.

How to Prepare • For your Next Fast and Prayer

“Preparing well for your fast ensures it will be a time of meaningful spiritual growth, bringing you closer to God. Here’s a step-by-step approach to setting up a successful fast:  Set Your Intention , Identify Areas for Growth, Plan Your Spiritual Food , Stay Fully Consecrated ”

• 1 Set Your Intention 

before the fast, not during the fast. If you set your intention beforehand and know why you’re doing it, it will carry you through. But it will likely fail if you fast without preparing; a house built on sand cannot stand. you fast because you know something is not working in your life, something in you is blocking you to become a greater you . Begin by humbling yourself before God and turning your heart toward Him. Set your mind on understanding fasting according to God’s Word ( see previous post ) . Read Bible verses on it, and schedule a time (days, weeks) to fast.

• 2  Identify Areas for Growth 

on any areas in your life that may be blocking a closer connection with God, such as pride, fear, anger, or doubt. Make a list of these areas. During the preparing of that fast, choose one or more focus areas and learn about them through God’s perspective. For example, you may think anger is your issue and believe that is the best response in some cases. Still, after much Bible reading, you may realize that it’s actually jealousy, envy, or murder but also that God hates it ... When you fast, you are uprooting jealousy and murder from your bloodline and aligning yourself with God’s character by learning what pleases him .

• 3 Plan Your Spiritual Food 

yourself with the Word of God, wisdom, teaching and preaching, and worship. Structure your days as though feeding your spirit, mind, and soul. Make a spiritual “meal plan” of scripture, teachings, worship, prayer, and devotion.

• Bible Reading: Choose specific books, chapters, or verses relevant to your focus area. If fasting against pride, for example, read Proverbs or scriptures that encourage humility. Schedule Bible reading for “breakfast,” “lunch,” and “dinner” to stay spiritually nourished.

• Teaching Playlist: Prepare a playlist of teachings and sermons centered on your topic. Find messages on pride, humility, or other areas you’re focusing on, and listen to them throughout your fast to keep your heart and mind aligned with God’s truth. Schedule teachings for “snack time.”

• Worship and Cry Out to God: Dedicate time each day to worship. This is not only for asking but for honoring who God is. Worship draws you close to God’s presence and keeps you open to hearing His voice, making your fast a time of deeper communion. Schedule worship as a time to rejoice and declare victory.

• Prayer Points: Write out specific prayer points, focusing on framing your life according to God’s Word only. Remember, you’re not merely speaking words but declaring truth over your life. Instead of praying for things, focus on asking God to prepare your heart, and give you the ability to receive and sustain the parts of His character that you seek. This approach helps you grow in maturity, trusting that God will give you but also prepare. Schedule prayer times like you will plan to work out, or any other daily activities.

• 4 Stay Fully Consecrated 

your fast, remain completely dedicated to your spiritual focus. Use each moment to press into God’s presence—whether you’re reading the Word, listening to teachings, praying, or worshiping. Let God speak to you about the specific area you’re working on, renounce anything He reveals that needs to go and take notes on the actions or commitments He’s prompting you to make. Last but not least, your consecration and fasting should be a lifestyle.