How To Prepare for Fasting.

Maximize your spiritual experience during these 15 days of prayer with fasting (January 14 – 28th, 2026)

As 2026 begins, we want to start the year with 15 days set apart to seek God with all our hearts in prayer and fasting. We know in times like these, God reveals His heart and changes ours.

DEFINITION OF FASTING

Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Though there are biblical accounts of people fasting from food AND water, we will consider abstaining from food only. People can fast together in a group or corporate fast or individually. People can fast at a set time each week or at special times as the Holy Spirit leads.

SHOULD ALL CHRISTIANS FAST?

The Bible regards fasting as a normal part of Christian living, and Church history indicates that the Church practiced regular fasting for several centuries after the Ascension.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Join us to fast one or more days between January 14 and 28th, 2026.

Join Pastor Kevin and the Identity Church team for seven special days of prayer and worship in the Identity Church sanctuary:

January 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27 & 28
12:00–1:00 PM

Wednesdays, January 14 and 21, will also include our regular Presence Gathering from 7:00–8:00 PM.

We will conclude our fast with a powerful Holy Spirit Healing Service on
Wednesday, January 28, from 7:00–9:00 PM.

Come expectant as we seek the Lord together in prayer, worship, and renewal.

The following guidelines are from Dr. Bill Bright’s book 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer.

PREPARING YOUR FAST

STEP 1:

Set Your Objective. Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, guidance, healing, problem resolution, or special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Through fasting and prayer, we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in fasting.

STEP 2:

Make Your Commitment. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15). For Him, it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following upfront: how long you will fast – one meal, one day, a week, 10 days (beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts) and the type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only or water and juice, what kinds of juice you will drink and how often). Also, decide on physical or social activities you will restrict. Determine how much time you will devote to prayer and God’s Word each day. Making these commitments will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon them.

STEP 3:

Prepare Yourself Spiritually. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart: ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins, confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance, and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4). Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13). Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4:

Prepare Yourself Physically. Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some people should never fast without professional supervision. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Do not rush into your fast. Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs, and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician’s supervision. Limit your activity. Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable. Rest as much as your schedule will permit. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect some physical discomfort, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the “blahs.” Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness. The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

STEP 5:

Put Yourself on a Schedule. Set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord for maximum spiritual benefit. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. Morning – Before work, begin your day in praise and worship. Read and meditate on God’s Word. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure, according to Philippians 2:13. Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, family, church, community, country, and beyond. Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will. Noon – For lunch break, return to prayer and God’s Word. Take a short prayer walk. Spend intercessory prayer for your community’s and nation’s leaders, the world’s unreached millions, and your family or special needs. Evening – Get alone for an unhurried time of “seeking His face.” If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer. Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus. When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. More extended periods with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone. A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal – a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer – suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find helpful and satisfying.

Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes:

5 a.m. – 8 a.m.: Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acidic. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot juice, buy juices without sugar or additives.

10:30 a.m. – noon: Fresh vegetable juice from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.

2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine.

6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After cooking for about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.

Tips on Juice Fasting – Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger and give you natural sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue. The best juices are fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth. Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach’s sake. Avoid caffeinated drinks. When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is essential for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 6:

End Your Fast. Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly, reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have harmful, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health. Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly. Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon. While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following:

First day: Add a raw salad.

Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning.

Third day: Add a steamed vegetable.

Thereafter, Begin reintroducing your normal diet. Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.

STEP 7:

Expect Results. Suppose you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face. In that case, if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers. A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new fasting times before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. Do not be discouraged if you fail to make it through your first fast. You may have tried too fast for too long the first time or need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

11 Ways to Experience & Maintain Personal Revival

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life.

Seek forgiveness from all you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution where God leads.

Examine your motives in every word and deed. Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your heart daily.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your walk against complacency and mediocrity.

Praise and thank God continually on all days, regardless of your circumstances.

Refuse to obey your carnal (worldly) nature (Galatians 5:16,17).

Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Develop utter dependence on Him with total submission and humility. Study the attributes of God. Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Love God with your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

Appropriate the continual fullness and control of the Holy Spirit by faith based on God’s command (Ephesians 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14,15).

Read, study, meditate on, and memorize God’s holy, inspired, inerrant Word daily (Colossians 3:16). Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Fast and pray one 24-hour period each week.

Seek to share Christ daily as a way of life. Determine to live a holy, godly life of obedience and faith. Be part of a church or Bible study group that emphasizes revival and holy life.