Fasting is a deeply spiritual act of surrender, and how you end your fast is just as significant as how you begin. It’s a sacred opportunity to reflect on what God has done in your heart and body while transitioning thoughtfully back to daily life. However, it’s important to extend grace to yourself. Every fast is unique, and sometimes modifications are necessary. The goal is not perfection but alignment with Holy Spirit’s leading. Whether you’ve completed your fast as planned or needed to adapt along the way, trust that God honors your obedience and desire to seek Him. Ending well is not about strict rules but about stewarding the spiritual and physical renewal that fasting brings with care and intentionality. Let’s finish with hearts of gratitude, leaning on the One who has sustained us this far, and will continue to by grace.

1. Consult your Doctor:
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medications, consult your doctor before beginning a water fast. Fasting can impact blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and other health factors, so professional guidance is essential to ensure your safety.

2. Building Up to Longer Fasts:
If you’re new to fasting, or concerned about how your body may react, consider working up to multi-day water fasts gradually. Perhaps starting with a 18-hour or 24-hour fast is best for you before attempting 48- or 72-hour fasts.

3. Avoid Comparisons:
Don’t compare your fast to others or downplay what you can do. Everyone is on their own journey, and different seasons of life call for different types of fasts.

4. Fear vs. Wisdom:
Don’t let fear or health concerns hold you back unnecessarily. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment. Fasting is about moving closer to Him.

5. Pregnant and Nursing Women:
Focus on nourishing yourself appropriately during this season of life. There will be plenty of time for fasting in the future.

Detox Relief

You may experience fever-like symptoms, where you feel achy, chills, headache. This is your body off-loading toxins!  

• Epsom salt bath
• Hot showers
• Sauna
• Rest. “Sometimes the most holy thing you can do is take a nap!” Sleep is given to us as beloved children!  
• Resist the temptation to give up! 

• Feast on the Word of God on YouVersion or Streelights

• Phone a Friend! 

• Participate in Evening Prayer

• Play worship music continually, journal, read

• This is not just something to get through - although we will all have days when we will feel like we just need to get through it!  It is a time to be fully present, fully engaged. 

Ending a fast thoughtfully is crucial for maximizing both spiritual and physical benefits. it is quite easy to end your fast with mediocre results or “crash landings,” but a slow, intentional approach makes all the difference.

• 4 steps to ending a water fast (As recommended by fasting expert Dr. Mindy Pelz): 

• Start with a cup of warm organic bone broth.  (Vegetable broth is also acceptable.) Broth contains glycine that repairs the inner lining of your gut. This slowly restarts your digestive system, which has been enjoying a deep sleep. Wait at least 30 minutes, optimally one hour. 

• Next, flood your freshly cleaned gut with good bacteria by consuming probiotic drink or food, such as kombucha, plain yogurt, kefir, raw sauerkraut, fermented pickles (Bubbies brand).  Alongside the probiotics you may enjoy a good fat such as olives or avocado.  Wait another 30 min- one hour before consuming anything else.

• Now you want to feed the good bacteria with fiber. You may try steamed veggies with a drizzle of olive oil or grass-fed butter and sea salt. Try eating low glycemic vegetables, like broccoli, zucchini, peppers, cauliflower.  A purple sweet potato is particularly beneficial for rebuilding gut health.  Wait another 30 min- an hour. 

• Now you are ready for a full meal of clean, whole foods including meat.  (If you have fasted for more than 72 hours, you may wish to wait 24 hours before consuming meat.) 
  

• Often people are tempted to gorge at the end of a fast on all of their favorite comfort foods.  This behavior can quickly undo all the beautiful, hard work you’ve just put into cleansing your body and soul. Gluttony is a sin that is rarely talked about in the church!  Ending a fast gradually and slowly is not only kind to your body; it also helps your brain adjust to eating at a reasonable pace and prevents yo-yo eating swings.  You will be far less tempted to “pig out” if you follow the four steps outlined above, and you will greatly improve your ability to make daily wholesome choices moving forward.  The slow end sets you up for success!    

• The Lord sustains you through the fast and He is the One who continues sustaining you after the fast is over.

RAISING THE BAR FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

Now that you’re thinking clearly, have more energy, and a renewed conscience, how will you raise the bar for your daily life?

A consecration or extended fast is an opportunity to boost your faith, health, and discipleship to the next level. There are things the Lord may ask you to give up permanently, saying, “We’re done with this forever.” There are also things He may ask you to lay aside for now, saying, “You don’t need this in this season.” Be obedient and leave those things behind—obedience always leads to greater freedom and joy!