About  Fasting

The goal of fasting is to draw near to God and Biblical fasting focuses on eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose. During this time, we encourage you to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
 
Ironically, fasting can slow us down in our "hurry-up world."  Fasting doesn't have to be food, as some people fast caffeine, sugar, social media, or activities they enjoy. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but should not put your health and safety at risk. With that in mind, position yourself to hear from God. Each day, take a few moments to still your heart, quiet your mind, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak.

 We've provided several resources below to help you learn more about fasting.

Scripture References On Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 9:14-15 (NIV) Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV) To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Acts 27:33-37 (NIV) Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board.

Nehemiah 9:1-3 (NIV)
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.

types of fasts

Selective Fast This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.

Partial Fast This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

Complete Fast In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.

Soul Fast This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance.

For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

More about fasting

7 Basic Steps of Prayer and Fasting
by Dr. Bill Bright


Guide To Prayer and Fasting
by Dr. Bill Bright

Daily Readings

This reading guide was created for you. It is a collection of thoughts and scriptures to help you know God, find family, live in freedom, and discover purpose. Use these devotionals as prompts to dig deeper - to slow down, listen and lean in.

Each day there will be questions giving you an opportunity to think and reflect on God's Word and then a set of questions giving you a chance to respond. We encourage you to use a personal journal for daily reflection and response!

Prayer & Fasting Devotional  2025Oración y Ayuno  2025
Monday, January 13, 2025

Day One | January 13th

When we hear the word “revival,” we might imagine large gatherings, powerful worship, or a sense of

R e a d  m o r e
Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Day Two| January 14th

When you think about your family, who comes to mind?

R e a d  m o r e
Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Day Three | January 15th

The word “Church” is derived from the Greek word “ekklesia” meaning

R e a d  m o r e

Services

We are ready and expectant for our time of prayer and fasting as a church family. Join us as we worship in community with one another!

January 13th - 17th

Worship Nights

We will spend our time in worship, thanking God for who He is and what He has done in and through our church. You won’t want to miss it!

Bayshore Gardens Campus |  6:30 p.m. 
Bee Ridge Campus | 6:30 p.m.
Fruitville Campus | 6:30 p.m.
*Hardee County Campus | 6:30 p.m.  
*Lakewood Ranch Campus (main auditorium) | 6:30 p.m.
*North River Campus | 6:30 p.m.
West Bradenton Campus | 6:30 p.m. 
Bayside Online | 6:30 p.m.

*Campuses who regularly have Wednesday Morning Prayer Services will still have Wednesday Morning Prayer on January 15th in addition to the Worship Nights.

Bayside Worship

Another way to encounter God is through your personal worship time. Our Bayside Worship team just released a fourth volume of acoustic sessions just for you, and it is available on all music platforms!
Check back all week for a music video from the NEW Album!

Perfect Love

Hope has a name

My hallelujah

Prayer Wall

We believe in the power of prayer. Submit your request on our prayer wall so that others can pray over it, then take a moment to pray over someone else's request.

prayer wall

What About the Kids?

During all campus Worship Nights we will provide childcare for children nursery age through Pre-K. Youth are encouraged to join in the auditorium during each of the Worship Nights!