During our 21-day fast at the beginning of this year, I was especially excited to participate. It was my first time fully joining one of our 21-day fasts at The Lighthouse Church because, in previous years, I had either been pregnant or adjusting to life as a new mum and was unable to abstain from food. During the first week, I found a really good rhythm. I was waking up for the morning devotions, joining the evening prayers and consistently spending time in God’s presence. It was a beautiful and refreshing time.

However, during the second week, I began to feel as though I was coming down with a cold. For the first couple of days, I tried to push through, but as my symptoms progressed, it became clear that my body was not coping well. My husband encouraged me to focus on getting better. He helped me to see that if I became completely run down, I would not have the strength or energy to pray, join the devotions or engage meaningfully with the fast.

Although I understood what he was saying, I still felt disappointed and defeated. Part of me believed that if I started eating, the fast would be over for me and I would have failed to complete it. I spoke to some trusted sisters within my community and shared honestly about how I was feeling. They prayed for me, encouraged me and gave me wise counsel. They reminded me to give my body the nourishment it needed while continuing to seek God.

By the fourth or fifth day, I had become very unwell, so I decided to start eating small, nourishing meals—not indulging, but simply giving my body what it needed to recover. I continued following the devotions, joining the prayer meetings when I could and staying connected to what God was doing across the church.

Remaining spiritually focused while eating brought its own challenges. When you are abstaining from food, the physical feeling of hunger can prompt you to pray, read the Word and intentionally seek God. Once I began eating again, I had to be even more deliberate about resisting distractions and remaining present with the Lord. During that time, God reminded me that fasting is not simply about going without food; it is about the posture of our hearts and our desire to seek Him.

By the third week, my strength had returned and my symptoms had eased, so I was able to resume abstaining from food and finish the fast strongly. God still spoke to me throughout the experience—even during the week when I had to eat. That season deepened my desire to live a fasted life beyond a corporate fast. Afterwards, I decided to fast during the first three days of each month as a continued practice of denying my flesh, drawing near to God and remaining dependent on Him.

That experience taught me that becoming unwell does not mean your fast or your pursuit of God has failed. Your plans may need to change, but your heart can remain turned towards Him.

We can sometimes be very hard on ourselves, especially when we have committed to doing something for God. You may feel disappointed that your body cannot continue in the way you had planned. However, this is a moment to receive God’s grace rather than condemn yourself.

Romans 8:1 (NLT) says:
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Do not allow guilt or disappointment to convince you that there is no longer any point in continuing. The enemy may try to make you believe that because you have eaten, you might as well give up completely. That is not true. You can adjust your fast while continuing to seek God wholeheartedly.
Although biblical fasting involves abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose, the ultimate goal is not simply to go without eating. The purpose is to draw closer to God, become more attentive to His voice and depend on Him more deeply. Eating does not mean you must withdraw from prayer, Scripture or God’s presence.

You do not have to navigate this alone. God has placed us within a community so that we can pray for, encourage and strengthen one another.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT) says:
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

Let someone you trust know that you are unwell. Ask your Life Group, a church leader, friend or family member to pray for you. Receiving support is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes God strengthens us through the people He has placed around us.