A few Saturdays ago, I spent the day intentionally fasting.
The week before I decided to fast, I was experiencing lots of overwhelming thoughts and feelings about different directions I felt that I was being pulled in within my life. I felt overstimulated by all the noise going on around me. I felt that I was not able to give much mental space or attention to the decisions I wanted to think through and process.
After encouragement from a friend, I decided to fast from not only food, but also controlled noises that were surrounding me, like music, tv, and social media.
To be very honest, I was intimidated with fasting before this. I was not only nervous but worried in disappointing myself on not wanting to “give in” to temptations or wants during the day. However, after fasting, I want to practically implement a day in each month to do this again because it was so refreshing spiritually and mentally to my life. I wanted to share some things that I practically did within fasting as well as what I learned if you have ever wanted to fast.
Things I did:
- I made a list of topics or circumstances that I wanted to spend time praying about throughout the day. Anytime I thought about my wants, desires, lacks or my needs, I would pray on a specific topic to give it time and attention.
- No food until dinner that evening (around 6:30 pm) and only drinking water throughout the day.
- I did not listen to any music throughout the day. No music in the car. No headphones. Just sitting in silence and solitude.
- No tv and no social media until after dinner that night. Text messaging and phone calls were still allowed to check in with friends every so often through the day, but that was it.
- Wrote down what I was learning as the day went by.
What I learned:
- We can find joy and gratitude in other things besides what we eat and drink. I know throughout my daily life that I tend to find joy in good meals or a sweet treat. However, through fasting, I was able to take account of the gratitude within the day, without placing it onto food or drink. Instead, I found it when walking outside with the lovely sun out, taking time to have a slower morning, and driving in my car with the windows down. I found it more in the freedom of my experiences through God’s goodness and grace.
- As human beings, our moods and emotions will change throughout the day, and that is OKAY. I used to criticize myself for feeling down and “ruining” the day. However, even if I am feeling low at 10 am, that doesn’t mean at 2 pm I will be. I could be feeling on top of the world. All to say, our feelings ebb and flow throughout the day, so do not let them define your day or your identity.
- Throughout the day, I noticed my energy levels lowering the longer I went without food. So, food truly is important in nourishing us. It is a gift and provision to us to take care of ourselves. It allows us to serve the Lord better when we fuel our bodies.
- Through the times where I wanted to give in to food or sources entertainment throughout the day, I went to God instead through prayer or reading His Word. By doing this, I learned that God’s strength and Spirit within us can comfort us and strengthen us as we journey on. However, everything else is temporary in life. We will crave one thing, then crave something else. We will always want more because our full desire is to be with God. Our souls were made to worship Him.
Fasting can be a devoted time of prayer, dwelling in God’s presence, and reorienting yourself to His plans. Even after I fasted, I still did not get answers or understanding on a few prayers and questions I had. While I was a little discouraged in still being confused, I believe that the Lord was showing me to acknowledge what He was teaching me and what to currently implement in my lifestyle. I still have some questions on a few areas of life, but I believe that the Lord is wanting for His timing to speak to me on those topics.
I hope this gives you some insight to what fasting could look like practically in your life and encourages you to try it sometime. Remember, fasting is what you make it to be. What you put into it. You get to evaluate what you need to take a break or rest from. Let the Lord speak to you in those decisions when deciding to fast.
With love,
Claire
By Grace Through Faith 
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