Fasting is one of the oldest spiritual disciplines in the Bible, and it is almost always practiced individually. But there is something powerful about a family choosing to fast together — to collectively say “we need God more than we need this thing” and to experience the discomfort and the dependence side by side. It teaches children that faith has a physical dimension. It teaches parents that spiritual leadership can be quiet and ordinary. And it teaches everyone in the house that some of the best things God does happen when you make space by letting go of something else.
If the idea of fasting as a family feels intimidating or impractical — especially with young children — this guide will walk you through how to do it in a way that is biblical, age-appropriate, and genuinely meaningful.
Step 1: Understand What Fasting Is (and Is Not)
“‘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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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 6:16-18 (NIV)
Jesus says “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” He assumes his followers will fast. But he is equally clear about what fasting is not: it is not a performance, a punishment, or a way to earn God’s favor. Fasting is the voluntary giving up of something good — food, entertainment, comfort — to create space for something better: focused attention on God, prayer, and dependence on him rather than on the thing you set aside.
For a family, understanding this foundation prevents fasting from becoming a miserable exercise in deprivation. The point is not suffering. The point is seeking. When your children understand that fasting is about making room for God, the experience shifts from punishment to purpose.
Step 2: Choose a Fast That Fits Your Family
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?” — Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)
Fasting in the Bible usually involves food, but the principle applies more broadly — and for families with young children, flexibility is essential. Here are options that work at different ages and stages:
For families with young children (ages 4-8): Fast from screens for a day or a weekend. Turn off the TV, tablets, and phones, and use the time for prayer, Bible reading, outdoor play, and conversation. Children this age can understand “we are making room for God by putting away something we usually enjoy.”
For families with older children (ages 9-13): Try a meal fast — skip one meal together and use that time for family prayer or Bible reading. Or fast from sugar, social media, or a specific entertainment. Older children can begin to understand the spiritual discipline of choosing discomfort for a purpose.
For families with teenagers: Consider a full-day food fast (with water) or a multi-day fast from social media, gaming, or streaming. Teenagers are old enough to understand the theology behind fasting and to experience the genuine discomfort and spiritual clarity it can bring.
For the whole family together: A “media fast” — no screens, no streaming, no social media for 24 hours — is accessible for nearly every age group and creates immediate, noticeable space for God, conversation, and togetherness.
✝ Go deeper in your walk. The Faithful app gives you daily verses, guided prayers, and study plans to grow your faith.
Step 3: Give Your Fast a Purpose
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” — Ezra 8:23 (NIV)
Biblical fasting almost always has a specific purpose: seeking guidance, repenting, interceding for others, preparing for a major decision. A family fast is more meaningful when everyone knows why you are doing it. Examples:
“We are fasting because Dad is facing a big decision at work and we want to seek God’s wisdom together.”
“We are fasting because our neighbor is sick and we want to pray for her healing.”
“We are fasting because we want to grow closer to God as a family.”
“We are fasting because we want to remember people who do not have enough food and figure out how we can help.”
When children understand the “why,” they are far more engaged. The discomfort has a reason, and the reason connects them to something bigger than themselves.
Step 4: Replace What You Remove
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
Fasting without filling the empty space is just going hungry or going bored. The power of fasting comes from what you put in the space you created. When the meal is skipped, the family prays together. When the screens are off, you read Scripture out loud. When the craving for the thing you gave up surfaces, you turn it into a moment of prayer.
Practical ideas for filling the space:
Read a Bible story together and discuss it. Let the children ask questions.
Take a prayer walk as a family — walk through your neighborhood and pray for the people who live there.
Write letters to missionaries, grandparents, or someone going through a hard time.
Sit in silence together for five minutes and then share what you felt or thought. Even young children can do this.
Serve together — make a meal for someone else, volunteer, or gather items to donate.
The replacement activity does not need to be elaborate. It needs to be intentional. The goal is to turn the empty space into sacred space.
Step 5: Talk About It — Before, During, and After
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
Family fasting is a teaching moment, and the teaching happens through conversation, not lecture. Before the fast, explain what you are doing and why. During the fast, check in: “How are you feeling? What is this making you think about? Have you talked to God about anything today?” After the fast, reflect together: “What did you learn? What was hardest? Did God show you anything?”
Do not be surprised if the conversations during a fast are some of the best your family has ever had. When the usual distractions are stripped away, people — even children — tend to say things they have been holding in. Create the space and then be present in it.
Step 6: Make It a Rhythm, Not a One-Time Event
“They worshiped, fasting and praying, and laid their hands on them and sent them off.” — Acts 13:3 (NIV)
The early church fasted regularly — before major decisions, during times of seeking, as part of their normal spiritual life. A family that fasts once has done something good. A family that fasts regularly has built something transformative. Consider building fasting into your family’s rhythm: once a month, at the start of each school semester, during Lent, or before major family decisions.
Consistency matters more than intensity. A monthly screen fast that your family practices for years will shape your children’s spiritual lives more than one dramatic food fast they resent and never want to do again. Start small, stay consistent, and let the practice deepen over time.
Two Pitfalls to Avoid
Pitfall 1: Making it legalistic
If fasting becomes a rule that produces guilt when broken, you have lost the plot. Children especially should never associate fasting with punishment or failure. If someone struggles, that is okay. If someone breaks the fast early, that is okay. The goal is to seek God, not to achieve a perfect record. Grace should characterize every family fast.
Pitfall 2: Forcing it on unwilling children
Fasting that is coerced is not fasting — it is just deprivation. Invite your children into the experience. Explain it. Model it. But do not force it, especially with younger children. A child who watches their parents fast with joy and purpose will eventually want to participate. That voluntary participation is worth far more than compliance.
Something Happens When a Family Fasts
There is a shift that occurs when an entire household says “we are going to need God more than this thing today.” The usual noise quiets. The usual distractions disappear. And in the space that opens up, God shows up — in conversations, in prayers, in a closeness that the normal pace of family life rarely allows.
If building spiritual rhythms into your family life matters to you, the Faithful app delivers a daily verse and a space for prayer that can anchor your whole household. It is free to start.
Try it. Fast together. See what God does in the empty space.
- What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?
- Bible Verses for Spiritual Discipline
- Bible Verses for Parenting
- How to Build a Consistent Devotional Life
A Prayer for Devotional Living
Father, I want to know You more deeply. Create in me a hunger for Your Word and a desire for Your presence. Transform my routine faith into a living, breathing relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a daily devotional habit?
Start small: 5 minutes of Bible reading and prayer each morning. Use a devotional app or reading plan. Don’t aim for perfection — aim for consistency.
What Bible reading plan should I use?
Start with the Gospels (Mark is shortest), then Psalms and Proverbs. Choose a plan that fits your schedule — even a chapter a day builds spiritual depth.
How do I hear God’s voice?
God speaks primarily through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and circumstances. Learning to hear God takes practice. Read the Bible expectantly and journal what stands out.
Keep Growing in Faith
For a deeper dive into this topic, explore our complete guide: Devotional Living: A Complete Faith-Based Guide.
Want daily encouragement on your phone? Try Faithful — your AI-powered Bible companion for life’s toughest moments. Free on iOS.