Fasting is an important part of building our faith and spiritual fervor in Christ. There are many types of fasting that you can undertake. I have written a series of articles about how to successfully dry fast, and one of the recurring questions is: “What is dry fasting in Christianity, and are there other types of fasts?” So let’s quickly consider the types of fasts that you can undertake.
Exploring the Various Types of Fasts
I want to make some things clear. The types of fasts that we will consider in this article only pertain to abstaining from food, beverages, and water. I know that it is popular to talk about a “social media fast” or a “man/woman fast”, etc. In my opinion, these are not fasts; these are only instances of abstaining from things that will pull you further into carnality and away from a pure life with Christ. These are just some of the things that we need to constantly watch and purge in our lives1 so that we can please Jesus Christ.
Now, let me put out this disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional and none of the following information counts as medical advice. Please contact your medical professional for advice on whether or not you can fast and for what duration. Above all, be led by the Holy Spirit of God about what you should do.
We can proceed!
Daniel Fast
This is probably the most popular type of fasting. A Daniel fast is partial fast where animal-based foods and pleasant/rich foods and drinks are avoided, and believers only eat fruits and vegetables and drink water.
The first time such a fast is mentioned was when Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah asked to avoid the rich foods from the Babylonian king’s table as they desired to keep themselves pure. They asked for pulse2 and water as their daily ration for 10 days. At the end of the period3 they looked far better than their peers, and due to God’s favor, they possessed supernatural wisdom and were elevated in the Babylonian court.
The other instance of such a fast4 was when Daniel avoided meat, pleasant bread/rich foods, and wine for three weeks or 21 days. Daniel was quite upset at the prolonged captivity of Israel in a foreign land and desired to know when it would end. After his 21-day fast, the Lord revealed a series of great revelations to Daniel about the matter.5
Water-Only Fast
I have had many persons ask me what is dry fasting in Christianity and if they can do water-only fasting instead. This is perfectly fine to do. A water-only fast is an intermediate step between a Daniel fast and a dry fast. This means that you only drink water while not eating any food or drinking any other form of liquid. A water-only fast is particularly useful as you seek to train your body to accept a dry fast. Also, in hot regions of the world, and during summer in temperate zones, a water-only fast is often done.
Another version of this water-only fast is a juice fast. This is where you’re not only drinking water but also drinking natural juices from fruits and vegetables. These liquid-only fasts can be useful in clearing your body of harmful toxins, and resetting your internal systems so that they function well.
There are many instances of water-only or juice fasts on social media platforms. However, a lot of these “testimonies” are more focused on the physical benefits and have little or zero reference to the Word of God – the Bible. I advise you to listen and watch these accounts with caution and with your spiritual antennas raised. The purpose of any fast is to deny our flesh/carnal desires to focus on repentance, communing with Jesus Christ, and growing closer to Him. Therefore, weight loss and other physical attributes are merely side benefits and not the ultimate goal.
Dry Fast
What is dry fasting in Christianity? This is a case where you avoid all food, beverages, and water to dedicate yourself to a time of prayers, reading and meditating on the Bible, and sitting in God’s Presence. Furthermore, dry fasting is mentioned in the Bible6 in several instances. Often, it is listed as being a time of fasting, supplication, sackcloth, and ashes. However, now when we dry fast, we don’t need to put on sackcloth and lie down in ashes. You can see Jesus’ instructions to us in the Gospel according to Matthew:
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
I shared some valuable insights about how you can successfully dry fast, as well as how to avoid the temptations of dry fasting. These articles are listed below and are hyperlinked. If you feel that the Lord is leading you to dry fast, then please read these articles for valuable guidance:
Tips for Successful Dry Fasting as a Christian
Dry Fasting: How to Overcome Temptations During and After Your Dry Fast
You can dry fast for a continuous 24 hours (or 1 day), or from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on a given day. Dry fasting is a very effective way to build your spiritual strength, especially when you are facing serious demonic warfare. When coupled with night vigils and deliverance prayers, it is a powerful way to break through into your deliverance. Make sure that you read all the articles listed in this one for more insights.
Multi-Day Fast (Daniel Fast, Water-Only Fast, and Dry Fast)
A multi-day fast can be applied to any of the previous types of fasting. In American evangelical churches, the first month or the first 21 days of a new year are often set aside as a communal Daniel fast. I have done many Daniel fasts and I found that not only was I spiritually and mentally renewed, I felt much better physically. However, while a Daniel fast is good, I find that it is an initial step to graduate into more extensive and deeper types of fasting.
The next level of fasting, in terms of difficulty, is the water-only fast or a juice fast. You can do such a fast for varying lengths of time.
Now, as we consider what is dry fasting in Christianity and you can also complete multiple days of the same. Yes, it is very hard, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. However, you must be expressly led by the Spirit of God to undertake a multi-day dry fast. This type of fasting is very powerful in breaking demonic strongholds and satanic harassment (especially as you sleep at night). Please read this article about my experience of completing a three-day (or 72 hours) dry fast:
You can also dry fast for 7 days, 14 days (or two weeks), 21 days (or three weeks), 40 days (similar to what Jesus did), etc. However, you normally break your fast with food and drink after completing each day. When I do multi-day dry fasts, I fast from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. I have always been renewed and empowered in my mind, spirit, and body after completing a dry fast. It’s also a powerful combo of a complete reset and demon-routing button.
Fasting: A Cornerstone of Christian Living
Now you know what is dry fasting in Christianity and the alternatives that exist. Fasting is an important component of our Christian walk. We need to crucify our flesh and our desires daily7 and sometimes that includes our desire for food. If you have never fasted before, I recommend that you make a start. You can start from a Daniel fast, graduate to a water-only fast (or juice fast), and then advance to dry fasting. The main thing is to be consistent and to make gradual progress. I pray that Jesus Christ will empower you to make praying, fasting, daily Bible reading, praise and worship, regular family devotions, and biblical purity a way of life. I pray that Jesus Christ will continue to guide and protect you and your loved ones in all things. May Jesus’ blessings, peace, and wisdom be upon us all. Amen.
Sincerely,
Sophia.
- I wrote a series of articles on living purely as a Christian single. You can check them out at:
- Pulse is a type of vegetables such as lentils, chickpeas, or some other legumes.
- Please read Daniel 1:1-21.
- Please read Daniel 10:1-21.
- Please read Daniel 10-12 for more information.
- Please read Deuteronomy 9:9-18; 2 Samuel 12:1-23; 1 Kings 19:4-8; Esther 4:15-17; Matthew 4:1-2; Acts 9:1-9; Acts 13:1-3.
- Please see Matthew 16:24; Galatians 5:24-25; Romans 6:6-7.
This article is very helpful, really appreciated, continue doing the good job and may God bless you
To God be all the glory. I am happy you found the article helpful.
Praise the living God. I am humbled and I have learned a lot that I didn’t know about dry fasting. May God keep leading me and guiding me . Be blessed always
Hello Raymond,
To God be all the glory. I am happy you found the article helpful.