What does The United Methodist Church say about fasting?

Fasting has been a part of Methodism from it's early beginnings. John Wesley considered fasting an important part of a Christian's life and he personally fasted weekly. To Wesley, fasting was an important way to express sorrow for sin and penitence for overindulgence in eating and drinking. He believed it benefited prayer life by allowing more time for prayer. He also felt fasting was more meaningful if combined with giving to the poor. Wesley did advise caution against extreme fasting and against fasting for those in fragile health. Visit John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life for more on John Wesley and fasting. 

What is the "Wesleyan Pattern for Prayer and Fasting?"
Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, Methodist people are invited to follow Wesley's example of fasting and prayer. During this time he did not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.

What is a fast?
Normally persons do not use solid food, but continue with liquids during such a short but regular fast.

What is the connection between prayer and fasting?
Fasting is not a diet; it is a discipline that enables one to focus his or her prayers.

When does this prayer and fasting take place?
It is hope that many will regularly follow the pattern, but it is urged for the people to particularly follow the pattern of prayer and fasting each week between Easter and Pentecost.

Who is invited to participate in the "Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting?"
John Wesley expected the "preachers" to participate, and he wanted all of the Methodist leaders and people to follow this discipline.

Why this pattern?
Methodist people are invited to discover the power in this regular pattern and discipline that John Wesley followed for a half a century. For Wesley, the more important reason for fasting was that fasting is a help to prayer...more>>

"What is a Daniel fast?"

The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.”

After eating these food over a 10-day time period, Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, outperformed all of “the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.”  This diet, adopted by the American church, has been modified and named the Daniel Fast.

Foods You May Eat Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas Fruits: all fruits including apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, oats, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangos, nectarines, papayas, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon Vegetables: all vegetables including artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, gingerroot, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, yams, zucchini Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts all kinds Liquids:  water only (including spring and distilled water.  No flavored waters)

Foods to Avoid All Meats White Rice Fried Foods Caffeine Carbonated Beverages Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products Foods containing Preservatives or Additives Refined Sugar Sugar Substitutes White Flour and all Products Using It Junk Food All sweets including candy, cakes and pies Study the Bible on-line is exciting! As the journey of faith-building grows, studying God’s Word is crucial.  Keep connected by studying God's Word weekly using on-line studies of Common Lectionary passages. New studies will resume New studies will resume on January 14, 2010 at 7:45 pm CST. ...more>>

Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.
Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation, I am convinced that when God's people fast with a proper Biblical motive-seeking God's face not His hand-with a broken, repentant, and contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nation and world. Fasting and prayer can bring about revival - a change in the direction of our nation, the nations of earth and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.