There are numerous reasons to fast: to gain a closer personal relationship with God; to pray for healing and against sickness or danger; or for the salvation of a loved one; and many more. During this time, we will be fasting as a community in order to:
- Offer ourselves to God
- Grow in holiness
- Amplify our prayers
- Stand with the poor

Yes! Some of the other kinds of fasts include:
- a partial fast (from sugar, soda, or certain kinds of food)
- a media fast (TV, movies, music, or social media)

God understands our specific situation may not allow us to fast from food. The main purpose of fasting is to intentionally give something up so that you can focus more on God in prayer and seeking Him. Always ask your doctor before starting a fast.

Always consult your doctor before beginning a fast, and follow the medical regimen they prescribe.

The length of a fast can vary. In order to exercise our fasting muscles, we plan to progressively increase the length of our fast each week from one meal, to two meals, to sun-up to sun-down, ending this season with a 24-hour fast.
If you choose to fast for longer, you are certainly free to do so. Perhaps you may want to consult with a doctor as you make your decision about the length of your fast.

The purpose of fasting is to grow closer to God, so it’s recommended to limit entertainment while fasting so you can focus on Him.

Let your hunger pangs remind you of your purpose for fasting. Understand that hunger is part of a fast. Drinking water can help a bit. It is also important to stay hydrated while fasting.

If you normally drink coffee to wake up, you may want to still have coffee to avoid a caffeine headache, but just have it black. Coffee is 99.9% water and will not keep your body from entering the fasting state.

Jesus’s instructions in Matthew 6 referred to people with impure motives for fasting–they wanted to show off how good they were. If this is not your motive, it may be important to tell some people about your plans for fasting. For example, if your spouse cooks a family meal because they did not know your plans for fasting, they might feel a bit neglected.

You can, on a limited basis. You may want to cut your workouts back somewhat or altogether for a time. Listen to your body and be aware of how you need to handle physical exercise. Moderation is key here.

Whether you plan to include your kids in the fast or not, here are some suggestions:

Not including kids in the fast:
- Explain to your kids what you are doing and why before you begin.
- Share the load of preparing meals, so the same parent isn’t always making food, while fasting
- Still sit at the table during dinner with your kids and talk about what you are learning while you’re fasting.  Focus on the blessings, rather than the hard parts…this will help your mindset.

Including kids in the fast:
Explain to your kids what you are doing and why before you begin. Do not recommend children younger than 5 do a complete fast.  As for older kids, it will depend on their willingness and desire to fast with you.  Ways you can include your kids without doing the complete fast:
- Skip snack time, no dessert, no soda, etc.
- Have dinner but only rice and beans.  This is an opportunity to help them understand what children in impoverished countries eat/wish they could eat.  
- Hydration is key.  Lots of water!  
- Fast 1 meal, once a week.  Due to their growing bodies, it is not recommended to have them fast more often.  
- Choose a meal when your family will be home, together, but change the scene.  Go for a walk, bike ride, play at the park, go for a drive.  Don’t sit at home where the food is easily accessible.  Whatever you choose to do, spend time in prayer together.
- Be sure to have a nutritious breakfast the next morning.
- Give them grace! If their hunger feels too much for them, pray together that God would help them.  If it is still too much, let them eat.