Table: Selected Spiritual Benefits with Relevant Bible References 

Benefit /References 

• Clarity in hearing God
• • Acts 13:2, Matthew 4:1-4 
• Humility and repentance
  • Joel 2:12-13, 1 Kings 21:27-29, Jonah 3:10 
• Overcoming temptation
  • Matthew 4:1-11 
• Seeking wisdom/guidance 
  • Ezra 8:23, Acts 14:23, Judges 20:26 
• Intercession/ministry
  • Isaiah 58:3-7, Nehemiah 1:3-4 
• Commitment & worship
  • Luke 2:37 

Biblical fasting is fundamentally about expressing dependence on God, deepening faith, showing genuine humility, aiding repentance, and preparing spiritually for God’s purposes and calling. 

To start a spiritual fast safely, begin with small, well-defined steps: plan your purpose, prepare physically and spiritually, stay hydrated, and seek medical counsel if needed. 

Preparing for a Spiritual Fast 

• Begin with prayer and intention: Decide what you are fasting for; clarify your spiritual goal through prayer before beginning. 
• Start small: Try skipping a single meal, then gradually progress to longer fasting periods as the body adjusts. Beginning with a partial fast or fasting from a specific item is common for beginners. 
• Plan your schedule: Clear your calendar as much as possible and set aside dedicated times for prayer, reading, and reflection. 
• Prepare foods ahead: Stock up on water, broths, and simple foods, and avoid high-sugar and fatty foods right before starting to reduce physical discomfort. 

Safety Guidelines 

• Consult with a doctor: Those with medical conditions, taking regular medications, or pregnant should seek medical advice before fasting. Modified fasts may be recommended, such as abstaining from social media or specific foods instead of all food. 
• Stay hydrated: Always drink plenty of water; most biblical fasts allow water even when food is abstained from. 
• Ease into the fast: In the days leading up to it, gradually reduce portion sizes and avoid stimulants like caffeine and sugary foods. 

• Monitor your body: Watch for symptoms like dizziness, weakness, or headaches, and rest more during the fast. It is normal to experience some discomfort, especially during the first two days. 

During the Fast 

• Replace meals with spiritual practices: Use mealtimes to pray, reflect, or read scripture. Journaling can help track spiritual growth and prayers. 
• Minimize physical and mental stress: Limit physical activity and avoid stressful situations if possible. 
• Keep your fast private: Follow the biblical principle from Matthew 6:16-18 to avoid drawing attention to your fasting. 

By following these steps, a spiritual fast becomes both meaningful and safe, focusing the journey on spiritual enrichment rather than physical hardship. 

Clarify purpose and duration 

• Define a specific spiritual aim: from the list above. 
• Choose a time frame (CKB is doing 21 days, echoing Daniel 10:3) and commit to it before you start. 
• Use the list of prayer targets and Scriptures in this guide to meditate on throughout the fast. 

The most beneficial way to do a Daniel Fast is to treat it as a focused season of seeking God, with a clear spiritual purpose, while following a simple, whole-food, plant-based eating pattern and pacing yourself physically and practically. 

Follow the Daniel-style pattern 

• Base your foods on Daniel’s example: vegetables and other plant foods with water as your primary drink. 
• Common guidelines: eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and plant oils; avoid meat, dairy, eggs, sweeteners, desserts, processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. 
• Keep portions reasonable and avoid turning “Daniel-compliant” recipes into a gourmet feast that distracts from the heart of fasting. 

Prepare and pace yourself physically 

• Ease in for several days by reducing caffeine, sugar, meat, and processed foods to minimize headaches and fatigue. 
• Plan simple meals and even batch-cook and freeze some dishes (soups, bean chilis, baked oatmeal) so hunger or busyness does not derail your focus. 

• Drink plenty of water and pay attention to your body; research suggests a 21-day Daniel Fast can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and other metabolic markers, and is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. 

Prioritize prayer, Word, and repentance 

• Replace some eating or screen time with unhurried prayer, Scripture reading, and journaling; set realistic daily times and protect them. 
• Use hunger pangs as prompts to intercede through your prayer list and to re-center on God’s sufficiency. 
• Keep a journal of what the Spirit highlights—conviction, promises, direction, and answered prayer—so the fast leads to lasting repentance and obedience, not just a 21-day experience. 

Finish and integrate the fruit 

• Break the fast gradually by reintroducing other foods slowly, continuing to emphasize whole, plant-rich meals rather than immediately returning to excess. 
• Ask how God wants you to carry forward what you learned—perhaps keeping one or two “Daniel-style” days per week or maintaining new prayer rhythms. 
• If you have significant medical conditions or are elderly, consult a healthcare professional before beginning, as even plant-based fasts can require adjustment for medications and energy needs.