Episode #58—Corporate Fasting: A Neglected Spiritual Discipline

Several months ago, during a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, my conviction grew that corporate fasting is significantly neglected in the modern church. Fasting in general is one of the most overlooked spiritual disciplines, and corporate fasting even more so.

In Matthew 6, Jesus contrasts the fasting of the Pharisees with that of his people. The Pharisees looked gloomy while God’s people appeared refreshed. The Pharisees wanted to be seen by others, but people of God desire to be seen by God, who sees in secret. The Pharisees received their reward immediately, but God’s people, when they fast, receive their reward from God—sometimes later in life.

From this passage, we learn several principles:

• We must anoint our heads with oil, symbolising joy.
• We must fast for the Father who sees in secret.
• We should engage in worship whilst fasting.
• Fasting must be done prayerfully.
• We should fast with anticipation.
• Fasting should increase our dependency on God.
• It must be done joyfully.

Scripture provides numerous examples of corporate fasting (see Joel 2; Acts 14; Acts 13; 2 Chronicles 20; and Isaiah 58). Each addresses corporate fasting with the same principles of joy, expectation, and prayerfulness.

It is important to begin with humility. Spiritual disciplines have a way of humbling us. If we consider prayer alone, who would claim to have arrived in their practice and appreciation of prayer? The same applies even more to fasting, meditation, and other disciplines.

These disciplines are interconnected. Fasting is virtually always linked to prayer in scripture. It is difficult to find an instance where they don’t go together. Often we fast about a particular matter, which brings meditation into play. All of this is directed by Scripture, making Bible reading essential as well.

The modern church tends to prioritise efficiency and comfort, and fasting seems to be neither. It can feel pointless, especially when hunger becomes distracting rather than conducive to prayer. However, we are instructed to fast, we see biblical examples, and we must act in faith.

While the Bible speaks extensively about fasting, it does not provide detailed prescriptions on methodology, leaving considerable freedom for communities to decide their approach.

Corporate fasting must recognise the diversity within a congregation. There are different ages, physical constitutions, abilities to endure suffering, endurance athletes alongside those who rarely walk long distances. Therefore, a completely uniform approach is impractical.

Instead, corporate fasting involves agreeing to fast about a particular matter while establishing certain parameters.

Duration. The leadership should specify a timeframe—perhaps a week during which individuals can choose when to fast. This allows flexibility for personal circumstances, medical conditions, and work schedules.

Purpose. Scripture indicates we fast for a purpose. This might include unemployment and underemployment in the church; guidance for new leadership appointments; mission-related concerns; or unity within the congregation.

Individual Implementation. Within the corporate call, individuals may decide the specifics: which day to fast, whether morning only or a full day, considering personal health requirements and circumstances.

Leadership and authority. The question arises, why should elders call for corporate fasting? Elders are called to lead in worship, and spiritual disciplines are for worship’s sake. Just as elders call the congregation to worship in a morning service, they carry the authority and responsibility to call for corporate fasting.

However, this doesn’t preclude congregation members from suggesting needs. If someone approaches the elders expressing a burden for missions giving or another legitimate concern, the elders can evaluate and potentially call for a fast. The key is proper authority structure whilst remaining open to the Spirit’s leading through congregation members.

There is a distinction between matters appropriate for corporate fasting versus individual fasting. Corporate fasting should address issues affecting the body corporately, matters related to the church’s mission, or widespread problems the church feels burdened about.

Individual concerns (such as personal job searches) are more appropriate for individual fasting, though one might invite friends or elders to join in prayer and fasting for such matters.

Individual fasting practices vary, but common approaches include the following.

Methodology. Corporate fasting might typically be observed a day at a time; abstaining from food while continuing to drink water, coffee, and other non-sugary beverages; setting aside specific times for prayer during the fast; and using fasting as an expression of dependence on God rather than attempting to manipulate him.

Focus areas. Common subjects for regular fasting include children’s salvation, marriage health and unity, church unity, or matters requiring God’s intervention where human effort is insufficient.

Scripture integration. Fasting might include reading and praying through relevant Bible passages, reminding God of his promises (not as manipulation but as expressions of faith and dependence). This might include passages about salvation for children’s conversion, texts relevant to a healthy marriage, or passages highlighting the call for church harmony.

When beginning corporate fasting, several approaches are possible:

Relay method. Different people fast on different days throughout a week, maintaining a corporate fast whilst accommodating individual schedules.

Synchronised approach. Most people doing similar fasting (such as breaking fast in the evening) during the same period.

Flexible framework. Providing a timeframe (such as two days) while allowing individuals to implement fasting as suits their circumstances. Some might fast completely, others might have one meal, some might have nutritional drinks for health reasons.

Starting small. Beginning with shorter periods (perhaps a single day) rather than extended fasts, particularly on weekends when work obligations are minimal.

Scripture warns against wrong attitudes in fasting.

Wrong motivations. Isaiah 58 describes Israelites fasting with wrong heart attitudes, seeking to manipulate God for selfish gain. Jesus condemned Pharisaical fasting done for public recognition. Grumpy or gloomy fasting contradicts Jesus’ teaching about joy.

Perfectionism. Accidentally eating something doesn’t invalidate the entire fast—it simply means the fast wasn’t maintained. The focus should be on heart attitude rather than perfect performance. If mistakes happen, simply continue or try again next time.

Corporate fasting should be viewed as an opportunity for growth and grace rather than a test to pass or fail. Starting with modest expectations allows for learning and adjustment.

Corporate fasting presents opportunities for growing closer to one another through solidarity around particular matters; experiencing God’s grace and answers to prayer; developing corporate dependency on God; or strengthening unity during challenging times.

The COVID-19 period, for instance, might have been an ideal time for corporate fasting—addressing anxiety, financial needs, and maintaining unity while physically dispersed.

Key passages to explore include Isaiah 58:3–7; 2 Chronicles 20:1–4; Acts 13–14; Joel 2:12–17; and Matthew 6.

Corporate fasting should be characterised by joy rather than gloominess, seeking God for direction, engaging in worship through prayer and scripture reading, dependency on God, and anticipation of God’s response.

Corporate fasting represents a neglected but biblical practice that could significantly benefit modern churches willing to embrace this discipline with proper understanding, appropriate leadership, and hearts oriented towards God rather than human achievement.