8 Tips on How to Fast and Pray for a Breakthrough (Beginner Friendly)

This post is all about How to fast and pray for a breakthrough.

Friends, over the past few weeks, I have received profound revelation about How to fast and pray for a breakthrough.

I decided to write this post that will be a great resource and source of encouragement for people who want to begin fasting. You will find that it is very comprehensive!!

I don’t come to you as an authority. ❤️I’m just a peer that has learned a lot through struggling to fast. Remember that I’m on this journey- with you!

You will see that I have included a table of contents. Feel free to bounce around to applicable content if need be. Click and you will be taken to the desired portion you want to read.

This will also have a future video component via YouTube. So, feel free to watch the video that accompanies this once I film it.

What is Fasting?

Fasting in the modern world has been associated with Eastern Religions, Monks, and the infamous weight loss called “intermittent fasting.”

Fasting in a spiritual sense has been distanced and is now seen as an Old Testament tradition that doesn’t apply in today’s world. However, fasting is very relevant and essential in today’s world.

In the Old Testament, we see the whole nation of Israel doing corporate fasts to achieve a breakthrough. We also see lots of fasting in the New Testament that I will touch on in this post.

I want to stress that there are many types of fasting, they vary from person to person, but the main idea is to deny ourselves from pleasurable things.

Let’s segue now to the importance of fasting.

Importance of Fasting with Biblical References

Now, why would we want to deny ourselves pleasurable things? To what end? How does it benefit you or me?

Well, that is the crux of the matter. We do this to sensitize the Spirit.

Our flesh likes to be pampered and fed well. As a result, the more we feed our flesh, the more we desensitize ourselves from the Spirit.

This is important because our fleshly desires can prevent us from receiving wisdom, information, breakthrough, deliverance, spiritual insight, etc.

It’s like being blind or oblivious to the devils’ schemes because we are too busy physically indulging in the flesh.

A good example is social media. We can be so involved in it that we distance ourselves from our Spirit Man.

Here are some Biblical references and scripture that you need to remember:

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The underlying thing is that we need to walk in the Spirit. We can do this and ensure we are constantly dialed in by denying the flesh.

Bottomline- we can’t let the flesh dominate us. We need to be wholly and entirely submitted to our Lord.

I am very in tune with our senses’ role in our lives from my professional background. Our senses can affect our thoughts and, subsequently, behavior. As a Christian, I see it from the devil’s perspective, using our senses to dominate our lives. To control us. To have us on a tight leash.

Is it mandatory to Spiritually Fast? When should we fast?

I want to highlight this crucial verse and the key to the answer. This will be short and sweet.

Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

Let’s stress the word “When.” Paul tells us, “When you fast”, not IF but WHEN. This means that it is a requirement.

This doesn’t mean everyone is called to a specific cookie-cutter fast. As mentioned earlier, fasting looks different for everyone. It varies, and more so, God looks at your heart when it comes to denying the flesh what is pleasurable.

Someone can do social media fast, perhaps because they feel they are led to do. And that’s ok.

God looks to your heart. But let’s not mince our words. We are ALL required to fast. Remember, it’s WHEN and not IF.

7 Types of Fasting

Since fasting is so personal, this is not an exhaustive list. You can modify and do whatever fasting makes the most sense to you. This serves as an idea and reference for you.

1. Supernatural Fast

Moses fasted for 80days. He fasted initially for 40days then went back up again to fast for an additional 40 days. This was indeed a Supernatural fast as it defies any logical or physical laws. Read Deuteronomy 9:9-11 and Deuteronomy 9:18-19

Elijah also fasted, but scripture tells us that he was “strengthened by the food” that the angel had prepared. Not only did he stay without food for 40days and nights, but we are told he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. This points to something supernatural. 1 Kings 19:5-18

2. Partial Fast

This would be the Daniel Fast. I will not explain this in detail because this post will be an entire book. 😂. So instead, please visit this website called The Ultimate Daniel Fast, solely dedicated to The Daniel Fast. They have free and helpful downloadable documents too. Biblical Reference is Daniel 10:2-3

There are also sunset fasts where people break fast at around 6 pm. This one doesn’t have food group restrictions. This is the one that I typically do as I build myself to other fasting types.

3. Absolute Fast (Dry Fast)

This would be the Esther Fast and the fasting that Paul did. Biblical References are Acts 9:9 for Paul and Esther 4:16 for Esther.

I have an accountability partner who usually does the 3 Day Esther fast, and she has also reported breakthroughs with this.

4. Corporate Fasting

Israelites were very good at this. They would fast in unison as they believed in a breakthrough. I have participated in corporate fasting, and I can attest that it is excellent to encourage peers. Most corporate fasts have check-ins or prayer every day.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

5. Complete Fasting

This one doesn’t have a set number of days, but it involves water consumption.

6. Sexual Fasting

Again, you need to be led entirely by the Lord for this one. If you aren’t and you opt for this due to your ambition, it can cause temptation to come amid your marriage. As always, discernment is needed to evaluate the best fasting for you. Biblical Reference is 1 Corinthians 7:3-6

7. Social Media Fast

People underestimate the power of social media fasts, i.e., fasting from be it Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

However, we need to realize that in this day and age, it’s so powerful to do this fast!

This is because, in all honesty, our flesh is so tied up and conditioned to be fed by social media. We need to understand the enemy attacks us via our senses. What we see, hear, feel, etc. What a great way and tool social media can be for the devil to tie us to the physical realm and limit us from living in the Spirit.

If you cannot physically do a food fast due to health reasons, this social media fast can be a great substitute.

As you fast from social media, ensure that you are re-dedicating your social media time to spend time with God and draw closer to him.

I almost always include social media fast to my sunset fasting. I find that it’s essential to combine both if you choose to abstain from food.

8 Planning and Preparation Tips | How to Fast and Pray for a Breakthrough as a Beginner

1. Consult with your doctor. This is important, especially if you are on medications or have any preexisting conditions be it psychological. As stated earlier, let us not be negligent to physical laws.
2. Determine what fasting type is best for you. Some fasting, like dry fasting, can be dangerous and much more challenging. Please, let us be diligent in research. Yes, this is a spiritual fast, but we are using a physical body as a vehicle.
3. Watch for withdrawals. If you are a caffeine drinker, you may notice headaches.
4. Bump up on fruits and water intake before your fast to allow your body to be nourished and at an optimum state to fast effectively.
5. Do your research. I can’t stress how important it is. Through my research, I gathered all this information from biblical, spiritual, medical, and personal reflection. This is why I can write this long blog post. I did the work. Please do yours too!
6. Have an accountability partner who can uphold you in prayer. I never advertise my fasting, but I always tell my accountability partner because she is praying for strength.
7. Have a pen and paper. Journal and be ready to receive dreams or revelation during this time.
8. Lastly, prepare for your flesh to whine and cause a tantrum. Yes! Your body will whine and complain and frustrate you at times. It’s your flesh refusing to submit. You will know the cues since you should be deep in the Word at this time.

Tips for women during spiritual or biblical fasting

I have never heard anyone talk about this. But I think it’s necessary.

Women operate on a 28-day cycle while men on a 24hour cycle. I believe this makes men able to pick any random day and fast. Their bodies are wired so differently from us.

When I first fasted successfully🥳, I noticed that I was always good at fasting around the Follicular and Ovulatory Phases. Girls, let’s go back to our Biology 101 classes on this one if you need to. 😂

Before your period in the luteal and menstrual phase (period), your body is craving food and nourishment. The body needs more calories during these times. So this wouldn’t be an ideal fasting time for most.

However in Follicular and Ovulatory Phases, our metabolism is slower during those times, and we need fewer calories during these stages.

So, if you are a beginner at fasting, why not set yourself up for success by targeting those days? With time and as you listen to your body, you will develop spiritual stamina to fast whenever! Yes, you will eventually be able to fast more effectively regardless of your cycle phase.

I just had to mention this because this was a gamechanger on a fast that I did get a significant breakthrough on.

I fasted on the 7^th to 12^th day of my cycle, which was amazing. Again, this is just my 2 cents. Everyone is different.

Follow your heart and be sincere in everything. God sees your heart above everything.

Things to avoid when fasting and praying

1. Please don’t compare yourself with someone else and what fast they are handling.
2. Do not neglect or ignore physical laws. Please research on medical journals if you are doing a prolonged fast.
3. Don’t fast for selfish reasons or validation.
4. Don’t announce you are fasting, and don’t deny either if someone does ask you. We can’t lie about it. 🤣
5. Don’t tempt, don’t test. When fasting, don’t test by going directly to sin or something to see if a breakthrough has been achieved.

This verse also does a reasonable sum up of what you should avoid:

Matthew 6:16-18 ¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be evident to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Miracles through Fasting and Prayer | My Testimony.

I want to share my breakthrough stories. 🌺

But first, I need to mention that I used to fast as a teenager in Kenya because was I a bible study leader in highschool. It was very common to fast in highschool. We also had peers in the Muslim faith, so it was common to do this. However, my heart wasn’t right. I was a teenager who was in boarding school. Denying myself food wasn’t exactly at the top of my priority. LOL.🤣. I would gripe and complain when fasting.😭 So, I used to hear breakthrough stories but never saw it firsthand for myself.  

However, almost one month ago, I experienced my first breakthrough because I fasted, and my heart was right this time. 💖

I was praying for a family member, and on day 3 of my fast, I received a supernatural breakthrough. My family member who was ill and doctors couldn’t identify the illness got healed!! Then I went on a corporate social media fast after that, and I received yet another breakthrough on a personal level!

Fasting works!

And that’s it, folks, How to Fast and Pray for a Breakthrough

In conclusion, ensure that you understand that fasting isn’t a diet. It isn’t an intermittent fasting diet or a weight loss program. This goes without saying.

We seek to renew our minds by spiritually getting closer to God by denying our flesh and what it has been conditioned to.

Fasting doesn’t move God. It moves us.

Let’s Read that again. 💖

Fasting doesn’t move God. It moves us.  

Once you get that revelation, it will shift why you fast. We need to realize that the flesh is in the way. Faith is what moves God—not fasting. Fasting can help us overcome our unbelief.

In my journey, I have come to understand that when we starve the flesh, we feed the Spirit. We become receptive to believing the available power-packed Word (hello sword of the Spirit!) to receive a breakthrough. It can help our unbelief because unbelief can come from us feeding our spirits empty calories from social media etc.

Brethren, let us nourish our Spirit together.

I wish you the very best. 💖

Hugs!