Church Fast 2025

Beginning Tuesday, March 11, KCC will come together for a 40-day fast, inviting you to join this powerful spiritual journey as we explore the theme of Covenants—the thread that unites the Bible. To maximize your fast,, Fast Packs are available for preorder TODAY $20, including a fasting booklet, 10 cups, and a vial of oil. Fast Packs can be preordered on kccfamily.com. You can preorder for shipping or for pickup for added convenience (make sure to check you are in the right place when you are ordering). Additionally, you can donate a Fast Pack to our Family Fund, supporting others in their spiritual walk, through the pickup link. Fasting days will take place Monday through Saturday, with a fast break on Sundays until 6:33 pm. Each day,  join the Morning Prayer Call, “Morning Manna,” at 6:33 am (Monday-Saturday) on Youtube Live and end your evenings with a personal reflection during “Evening Meditation.”Please note - our Morning Manna call in-number will not be live at 6:33 am - it will be available for playback at 8 am.  Stay connected and access everything on the Koinonia YouTube Channel throughout this sacred time. Don’t miss this chance to grow in your faith—reserve your Fast Pack today, and together, we’ll experience a life-changing 40 days.

MORNING PRAYER CALL “MORNING MANNA” replay access at 8 am each Monday – Saturday morning during the fast

  • Prayer Call Back #: 1 (267) 807-9603

  • Meeting ID: 435-786-492

What are we fasting from?

  • NO SWEETS 

  • NO FAST FOOD 

  • NO FRIED FOODS 

  • NO SUGARY BEVERAGES 

  • 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week 

  • Fast Breaks on Sundays until 6:33 pm

Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, and your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. 

CHURCH FAST FAQS

  • The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, and your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

    Biblical basis:
    Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible, with examples like Moses, David, and Jesus who all fasted to seek God's guidance and demonstrate humility.

  • Fasting can help you focus on your spiritual life, deepen your prayer life, provide mental clarity, increase self-discipline, demonstrate dependence on God, and experience a closer connection with Him.

  • For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

    Morning

    • Participate in the Morning Manna calls or playbacks

    • Begin your day with 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, your family, your church, your community, your country and beyond.

    • Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.

    Noon

    • Return to prayer and God’s Word/engage in your fast devotional.

    • Take a short prayer walk.

    • Spend time in intercessory prayer for leaders in your community and nation, for the world’s unreached millions, for your family or for special needs.

    Evening

    • Get alone for an unhurried time of “seeking His face.”

    • If others are fasting with you, meet for prayer (accountability partner) and reflect on the devotional/Morning Manna call.

    • Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus

    At the conclusion of the Fast remember:

    • Start slowly: begin with small portions to allow your body to adjust after the fasting period

    • Avoid heavy meals & limit fried foods right away to prevent digestive discomfort

    • Avoid processed foods: try to limit or avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, or heavy meals immediately after breaking the fast, as these can lead to spikes in blood sugar and discomfort.

    • Eat slowly to prevent digestive discomfort

    • Maintain the quality time you have established with God

    • Consult your doctor: Especially if you have any medical conditions.

    • Set your intentions or goals for the fast

    • Think about the purpose behind why you are fasting. There are plenty of reasons people fast: seeking God’s favor, repentance, spiritual strength, demonstration of our love for Jesus, etc.

    • Think about what food(s) and/or activities you are planning to give up and for how long.
      Purchase the right foods to have in the house prior to the fast beginning
      Begin planning meals in advance and meal prepping prior to the fast beginning

    • Gradually reduce food intake leading up to the fast to ease the transition.

    • Slowly start to cut down on the food(s) and/or activities you choose to give up. Be mindful that your body reacts when you remove foods from your diet.

    • Remember to stay hydrated- begin to make water accessible for consumption
      Purchase your KCC Fast Pack for $20 on the website or at the church

    • NO SWEETS

    • NO FAST FOOD

    • NO FRIED FOODS

    • NO SUGARY BEVERAGES

    • 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week

    • The Fast Breaks are on Sundays until 6:33 pm

    Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, and your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

    • The Morning Manna call with Bishop can be accessed on YouTube at 6:33am on the Koinonia Christian Center page.

    • There will be no call in line at 6:33am.

    • The callback recording will be available at 8:00am. The Call Back #: (267) 807-9603,  (Meeting ID: 435-786-492)  

  • No- you should not get full on a fast. During a fast you want to practice mindful consumption. You want to eat smaller portions, the types of foods on the list, as well as listen for cues from your body to ensure that you are not eating to become full.

  • Yes, please take your medications as prescribed by your physician.

  • Yes, you can still engage with the fast as a diabetic, however please consult your physician first regarding the food restrictions. You may have to alter your food restrictions based on your prescribed medication regimen and care plan. As a diabetic, you can focus on limiting processed sugars, unhealthy fats, or certain types of processed meals while still maintaining balanced nutrition. Choose low glycemic index (GI) foods that have a slower impact on blood sugar levels. These include whole grains, legumes, non-starchy vegetables, and most fruits. Continue to monitor your blood sugar levels throughout the fast and stay hydrated.  

  • Engaging in a church corporate fast while pregnant requires careful consideration and planning to ensure both your health and the health of the baby. Instead of abstaining from food entirely, consider modifying the fast. You could focus on eliminating specific foods or types of meals (like processed foods or sugar) while still ensuring you consume enough nutrients. Choose nutritious options such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. You can still participate in the other aspects of the fast which include the devotionals, increasing your prayer time, bible studies, communion, intentionally giving up something that you love, and engaging in dialogue with your accountability partner around the Word.

    • Yes, you can exercise while participating in a church fast, but it is important to approach it mindfully.

    • Listen to your body- pay attention to how you feel during a fast. If you are fatigued or low on energy, consider adjusting your workout or taking rest days as needed.

    • Choose appropriate activities: opt for lower-intensity exercises such as walking, yoga, or stretching.

    • Stay hydrated

    • Timing Matters: consider scheduling your workouts for times when you have more energy, such as after you’ve eaten

    • Focus on stretching and flexibility

  • Please consult your physician before starting the corporate church fast for guidance on how to move forward with the eating restrictions of the fast. However, you can still participate in the other aspects of the fast which include the devotionals, increasing your prayer time, bible studies, communion, intentionally giving up something that you love, and engaging in dialogue with your accountability partner around the Word.

  • Reflect on what are some of your favorite vegan meals or snacks. You may want to refrain or restrict those options during the fast.

  • Families may choose this opportunity to teach their kids about the discipline of fasting and provide other meal options for children during a fast. An example may be having no sugary foods or fast food during the entire fast OR specific days of the fast. Children and teens can participate in identifying activities they can give up during the fast.

  • We know that when we fast, our greatest enemy will be our mind for all of us. The Devil will tempt, and whisper lies; after all, he hates that we are trying to build a closer relationship with God and be obedient to His will. It is important to read God’s Word and pray continually during your fast. You may experience hunger pangs and even headaches (especially if you are a coffee drinker). You may experience gas pains, exhaustion/ weariness, hunger shakes, and body aches. The best remedy has always been to pray through it – God hears, and He will help you.

  • Because of our addiction to sugar and caffeine, many of us may experience headaches during fasting. I recommend decreasing the amount of coffee/caffeine intake weeks before the beginning of the fast. I have also found that trying to minimize stress, resting, and sleeping will be vital to resisting those headaches.

     

    • Remember your purpose: Focus on the spiritual aspect of the fast.

    • Distract yourself: Engage in activities like reading, prayer, or spending time in nature.

     

  • If you mess up by eating the wrong foods on the fast, miss a devotional, checked Facebook when you weren’t supposed to, etc. acknowledge sincerely to God that today you did not do well and recommit to doing better, and Start Over in that very moment! Remember increasing water intake will deter hunger pains.

    • Pray regularly: Use the extra time to focus on prayer and reflection.

    • Keep a journal and write down any ideas, insights, instructions, or directions that He places on your mind and heart.

    • Remember to fellowship with God and listen

    • Read scripture- study the Bible for deeper understanding.

    • Set aside time to worship and commune with God outside of the Morning Manna corporate time.

    • Review listed scriptures at the end of the FAQ form

    • Engage in acts of service: Use the time to help others.

    • Set Clear boundaries to minimize distractions like TV, social media, certain types of music, movies, etc.

    • Social media: you may decide to abstain the entire 40 days, check Facebook once a week, etc.

    • Movies: you may decide to watch only Christian movies during the fast

    • Music: you may switch from listening to R&B/Rap to worship music only during the fast.

    • Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you are being intentional about what you are deciding to give up. Keep in mind that “thing” should be felt.

    • Example- if you aren’t on social media then giving social media up doesn’t really move you. However, let’s say that you are an avid Wednesday night tv show watcher of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD, and you intentionally decide to not watch those television shows for 40 days for God and the fast, and you know you will greatly miss it, that may be a good stretch for you.

    • A key to knowing what to “give up” during a fast is to think about what is something that you truly love doing or is a big distraction for you. Once you have those items or things in mind decide to let it go to honor God & to spend more time with Him.

    • Find a covenant partner or group for encouragement and accountability

    • Set daily quiet time for prayer and connection with God.

    • Save intentionally for our one-time sacrificial offering for Resurrection Sunday April 20th

  • Be discreet: Don't feel obligated to announce your fast to everyone.

    Offer polite excuses: If offered food, politely decline and explain you are fasting.

  • There are a wealth of scriptures to read while fasting. Here are some categories and examples of scriptures to read:

     Scriptures to draw closer with God

    • Psalm 42:1-2; 119

    • James 4:1-10

    • Jeremiah 29:11-13

    Scriptures for healing

    • Isaiah 58:8

    • Psalm 107:19-20

    • James 5:13-16

    • Proverbs 4:10, 20-22

    Scriptures for wisdom

    • Ephesians 1:17-23

    • Proverbs 3; 4

    • Jeremiah 33:3

    Scriptures for grief

    • Matthew 5:4

    • Psalm 6; 42; 147:3

    • Revelation 21:4

    Scriptures for unforgiveness

    • Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35

    • Ephesians 4:31-32

    • Mark 11:25

    Scriptures for guilt

    • Psalm 103

    • 1 John 1:9

    • 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

    Scriptures to overcome fear or anxiety

    • Psalm 23:4; 34:4; 91

    • Matthew 6:25-34; 10:28

    • 1 Kings 19:1-18

    • Isaiah 41:10

    Scriptures for protection

    • Psalm 27; 34; 91; 103

    • Isaiah 54:15-17

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3

    Scriptures for guidance

    • Proverbs 3:5-35

    • Acts 14:23

    • Psalm 25:4-5; 32:8

    • Isaiah 58:1-11

    Scriptures for answers

    • Hebrews 4:12

    • James 1:5; 4:1-11

    • Psalm 66:18

    Scriptures for success/ provision of needs

    • James 4:1-10

    • Psalm 23; 79:8

    • Hebrews 13:5-8

    Scriptures for anger

    • James 1:19-27

    • Romans 12:19-21

    • Ephesians 4:31-32

    Scriptures for hopelessness

    • Matthew 17:14-21; 19:26

    • 1 Kings 19:1-1

    • Psalm 143

    Scriptures for strength

    • Isaiah 40:28-31; 41:8-13

    • Exodus 15:2

    • 1 Chronicles 16:11

    Scriptures for faith

    • Hebrews 11

    • James 5:13-20

    • Mark 11:20-25

    Scriptures for worry

    • Matthew 6:25-34

    • Psalm 30

    • Philippians 4:5-7