Have you ever heard someone at the Club say they are going to "fast" and not quite understood what that means? The word sounds old, almost from another time. But fasting appears from the beginning to the end of the Bible, and it is not about suffering from hunger. It is about choosing, on purpose, to set something good aside for a while in order to pay more attention to God.
Imagine turning off the noise for a moment. Instead of filling your stomach or your eyes, you make room to pray, think and listen. That is what Jesus, Esther and Daniel did, each in their own way, at moments that changed their stories. And it is something you can experience too, at your age, with balance.
This guide explains what biblical fasting is, the types that exist, what the Bible really teaches about the subject and how a Pathfinder can practice it safely. It also brings an honest health warning, because caring for the body is part of honoring God.
What is biblical fasting, anyway?
Fasting, in the Bible, is giving up something good for a chosen period of time, almost always food, in order to devote yourself to prayer and the seeking of God. It is not a punishment. It is not a diet to lose weight. It is a way of saying, with your whole body: right now I want to pay attention to what matters most.
Think about it this way. When you are very worried about a test or a problem at home, sometimes you even forget to eat, because your mind is somewhere else. Spiritual fasting reverses this on purpose: you choose to put God in that place of maximum attention and, to remember it all day long, you give up something that usually fills your time or your stomach.
That is why fasting almost always goes hand in hand with prayer. On its own, going without food is just being hungry. What gives it meaning is the reason: you trade food, or screens, or something else good, for more time in conversation with God. If you want to understand this side of talking with God better, see the guide on how to pray.
One last important idea: fasting is not a coin to buy favors from God. You do not fast to force God to do what you want. You fast to draw near, to humble yourself and to be more open to what He desires. The difference seems small, but it changes everything.
What the Bible shows: Jesus, Esther and Daniel
The Bible does not give a theoretical lecture on fasting. It shows real people doing it at decisive hours. The greatest example is that of Jesus Himself. Before beginning His ministry, He spent a long period in the wilderness. The Bible says: 'And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry' (Matthew 4:2, ESV). It was a spiritual preparation before facing the temptations and beginning His mission.
An honest detail: Jesus' forty days were a unique event, tied to His calling, not a model for you to copy literally. No one expects a teenager to go forty days without eating, and that would be dangerous. What we learn from Jesus is the principle: great moments call for serious spiritual preparation.
Queen Esther fasted in the face of an enormous danger to her people. Before risking her own life by going to speak with the king, she asked: 'hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day' (Esther 4:16, ESV). Her fast was a cry of dependence on God before a heavy decision.
The prophet Daniel lived out a different kind of fast, the partial type. He recounts: 'I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks' (Daniel 10:3, ESV). He did not stop eating, but he gave up the tastiest foods for three weeks while he prayed. From this account comes the idea that many people today call the 'Daniel fast'.
Types of fasting: total, partial and screen
There is more than one way to fast, and not all of them involve going hungry. Understanding the types helps you choose what makes sense for your age and your health. No type is 'holier' than another. What matters is the heart and the purpose.
The total fast is going without food for a time, usually drinking water. In the Bible it appears at short and intense moments, like Esther's. For teenagers, this type only makes sense in very short versions, such as skipping a meal, and never for days on end. We will talk about this in the health warning.
The partial fast is Daniel's style: you keep eating, but you give up certain foods, such as sweets, soda or meat, for a period. It is safe, it is biblical and it is a great entry point for those who are young. You feel the difference throughout the day, but your body stays nourished.
There is also what many people today call a media or screen fast. It is not about food: it is giving up social networks, games or videos for a while, in order to use that space for prayer, Bible reading and presence with the family. The Bible does not use the word 'screens', of course, but the principle of letting go of something that dominates your time in order to seek God is completely biblical. For many Pathfinders, this is the most challenging fast of all.
Read alsoTen Days of Prayer in the clubTrue fasting according to Isaiah 58
There is a chapter in the Bible that works as a warning against fasting done the wrong way. In Isaiah 58, the people complained that they fasted but God seemed not to answer. And God explains that the problem was their heart: they fasted on the outside while treating people badly on the inside.
Then God describes the fast He truly desires: 'Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?' (Isaiah 58:6, ESV). In other words, true fasting overflows into justice and kindness.
What does this mean in the practice of the Club? That there is no point in going without food and continuing to be rude to your younger sibling, excluding someone in the Unit or ignoring those who need help. A true fast leaves you kinder, not prouder. If it does not change how you treat people, something has gone off track.
Here is the simple test from Isaiah 58: after your fast, did you become closer to God and more attentive to others? If so, it was worth it. If you only became irritated and wanting everyone to see how 'spiritual' you are, it is time to start over with a different heart.
Fasting in secret: Jesus' warning
Jesus gave a very clear instruction about fasting, and it catches many people by surprise: it is not for show. He said: 'And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others' (Matthew 6:16, ESV). Translation: no walking around with a suffering face for everyone to notice.
He continues: 'But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret' (Matthew 6:17-18, ESV). The idea is to act normal, take care of your appearance, follow your routine, and let only God know what is happening in your heart.
Why does this matter so much for you? Because at the age of Pathfinders it is easy to turn everything into a competition. Who is the most spiritual, who does the most radical fast, who posts the most 'inspiring' photo. Jesus cuts this off at the root. Fasting is not a trophy to display.
There is a healthy exception: sometimes the whole Club agrees to fast together, and then it is normal to know that your peers are taking part. This is different from showing off. Jesus' warning is against putting on a performance to receive praise, not against walking together with your brothers and sisters toward the same purpose.
How a young person can fast with balance
If you want to give it a try, start small and with a clear purpose. First of all, talk to a trusted adult: your parents, your Counselor or the Club Director. This is not a lack of faith; it is wisdom, and it protects you. If you live at home, the decision to skip a meal involves your family.
Define the why before the how. Why will you fast? A difficult decision, a sick friend, a desire to draw closer to God? Write it down. Without a purpose, fasting becomes just meaningless discomfort. With a purpose, every moment of hunger or urge to grab your phone becomes a reminder to pray.
To begin, prefer the light and safe versions. A partial fast in the style of Daniel, cutting out sweets or soda for a few days. Or a screen fast for a Saturday afternoon, trading game time for Bible reading and conversation with the family. If you want to try skipping a meal, do just one, drink plenty of water and go back to eating normally at the next one.
Always pair fasting with prayer and with the Word. The time you save by not eating or not using screens is meant to be filled with God, not with boredom. And combine it with the rhythm of the Club: many Units set a day of prayer before a big activity, and this is a great moment to try it together, as part of the meeting plan.
Health warning: care is part of faith
This part is serious, so read it carefully. If you are a teenager, your body is still growing and needs constant energy every day. That is why a prolonged total fast, going days without eating, is not for your age. Health sources are clear: children and teenagers should not do long fasts without supervision, because there is a risk of nutritional deficit and harm to growth.
There is also an emotional risk. In those who are growing, rigid fasting protocols can, in some cases, open the way to an unhealthy relationship with food. Spiritual fasting should never become an excuse to eat too little because of body appearance. If you notice that food has become a source of fear or guilt, stop and talk to an adult and, if needed, a health professional.
Signs that it is time to stop right away and eat: strong dizziness, tremors, blurred vision, racing heartbeat or great weakness. This is not 'proof of faith'. It is your body calling for help. Breaking the fast in this situation is the right and wise thing to do. Never hide these symptoms from an adult.
This text is awareness, not individual medical guidance. It does not replace evaluation by a health professional or the supervision of your parents. Before any fast that involves going without food, talk to your family. In case of an emergency or serious illness, call your local emergency number (in Brazil, SAMU 192). Caring for the body God gave you is part of serving Him.