Fasting & Prayer in the Seventh-day Adventist Faith

acreagesdamedia
Sep 8
2 min read

Spiritual Renewal Through Biblical Discipline

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness… to deal thy bread to the hungry?” — Isaiah 58:6–7

In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, fasting and prayer are not simply spiritual disciplines—they are a sacred invitation to draw closer to God, to hear His voice more clearly, and to humble ourselves before Him. These practices, rooted deeply in Scripture, are seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments as essential tools for revival, decision-making, and spiritual breakthrough.

✝️ Why Do Adventists Fast and Pray?

Fasting and prayer are often used during seasons of:

Seeking direction from God (Acts 13:2–3)
Repentance and personal renewal (Joel 2:12–13)
Preparation for ministry or service (Matthew 4:1–2)
Intercession for others (Daniel 9)

In the Adventist tradition, these disciplines are not about earning favor with God or punishing the body, but about intentionally disconnecting from worldly distractions to reconnect more deeply with Christ.

🍞 What Does Fasting Look Like?

Fasting can take several forms depending on a person’s health, age, and conviction:

Total fast (no food, only water, for a period of time)
Partial fast (skipping one or two meals)
Daniel fast (plant-based, simple foods, modeled after Daniel 10:3)
Media or digital fast (abstaining from social media/entertainment)

The emphasis is not on what is being given up—but on how it redirects your focus to God. During a fast, Adventists pair their fasting with dedicated prayer, Scripture reading, and self-examination.

🕊️ What Happens When We Fast and Pray?

When a church or individual commits to fasting and prayer, several blessings often follow:

Clarity – Distractions fade and God’s voice becomes clearer
Conviction – Hidden sins or spiritual apathy are brought to light
Community – Unity is fostered when believers pray together
Courage – Boldness to take spiritual action increases
Compassion – Fasting humbles the soul and awakens concern for others

As Isaiah 58 reminds us, true fasting leads to acts of justice, mercy, and compassion—and aligns our lives more closely with God’s heart.

🛐 How Can You Begin?

If you’ve never fasted before, start with the following steps:

Pray for guidance – Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you
Choose your fast – Based on your health and schedule
Set your purpose – Be specific (revival, healing, decision, etc.)
Prepare spiritually and physically – Reduce distractions, plan meals
Spend time in the Word and prayer daily

📖 A Call to Revival

In today’s fast-paced world, fasting may seem outdated—but it is more relevant than ever. It reminds us that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

At Acreage SDA Church, we encourage members to participate in regular seasons of fasting and prayer—whether individually, in families, or as a congregation—because a praying church is a powerful church.

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” – James 4:8