Fasting isn’t supposed to be easy—and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful. In How To Fast, Reward Sibanda explains how the physical challenge of fasting isn’t something to avoid but something that refines both body and soul. Blending personal stories, Scripture, and even science, he brings fasting back to its biblical purpose: deepening prayer, strengthening faith, and transforming our relationship with God.

As someone who has always had a tumultuous relationship with fasting this book fell into my lap at the exact right moment. I will definitely be bringing aspects and points up from this book when I am back into my work role after this maternity leave!

One of the most impactful aspects of this book was the Zimbabwean perspective the author brought—it added a richness and depth that made me rethink how we approach fasting in North America. We’ve made it too comfortable, too optional. But true fasting is meant to stretch us, to make us eagerly uncomfortable in pursuit of God’s voice.

A few key takeaways stuck with me:
- Fasting isn’t just for spiritual reasons—any kind of fasting has a deep impact on the soul.
- It’s completely valid (and even beneficial) to fast for physical health.
- Making fasting a regular discipline is crucial.

This book is both practical and eye-opening, with a daily guide to help you get started. Whether you’re new to fasting or have done it before, it will challenge you to see it in a whole new way.

Thank you so much to WaterBrook & Multnomah for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

I've wanted to learn more about fasting as a spiritual practice for a long time but had no idea where to start. This book was exactly what I needed. It not only explores fasting from a Christian perspective but also dives into the science...explaining what happens in your body each day of a fast and the health benefits that come with it. I learned so much, and if you’re even slightly interested in the topic, I highly recommend this one!

Reading all the reviews and endorsements about this book, I do wonder if I read the right book. It’s not that How to Fast isn’t an interesting read with lots of good information. It’s just that the book I read was more of an answer to the questions of Why fast or what happens to our bodies when we fast than how to fast.

The book starts by introducing the author and sharing his extended experiences with fasting. His story is interesting and clearly shows the benefits of a life that includes fasting in its tool box. There is a lot of information about what happens to the body when it fasts, including what happens in the midst of an extended fast (10-40 days). Probably the most helpful and informative part of the book was the extended Frequently Asked Questions section of the book. It gives lots of precise answers to questions that often bubble up when the topic of Biblical fasting comes up.

Overall, I would have loved more how-to on fasting itself and could have done with less of the physiological responses of the body. As mentioned in the book, there are instances where water fasting is not encouraged but there wasn’t a lot of time spent on ways that those limitations could be addressed. If you have the ability to not eat without any ill effects beyond grumbling you could probably stumble around with the practice of fasting and figure it out. But for those with limitations, a few directions to explore could have been very helpful.

And for those of you that are curious, How to Fast recommends trying water only fasts coupled with two hours of prayer. It also recommends fasting for longer than 24 hours, often expressing that 10-21 days is ideal as a yearly event. It also recommends a weekly 24 water hour fast.

I’m curious, do you fast? I used to do quite a bit of fasting but since having my gallbladder removed, water fasting is not really an option that I can easily bounce back from. And since this is book review, I’ll share my ideas on fasting in another post.

This book was given to me through Waterbrook on Netgalley for the purpose of review. I’m never required to say nice things about books but I’m always thankful when I can.

Thank you @waterbrookmultnomah @prhaudio for the books #PRHAudioPartner I mostly read on my Kindle but listened to the final chapter. I recommend the audiobook—the author’s narration enhances his intercultural insights.

Fasting is more than a trend—it’s a transformative spiritual practice. This guide reclaims its biblical purpose, showing how fasting deepens prayer, renews faith, and even benefits the body. Blending personal experience, Scripture, and science, it offers practical wisdom for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. With a daily guide included, rediscover the life-changing power of fasting.

Seven years ago, when I was picking up my couch from a Kijiji ad (basically Canada’s version of Craigslist), the guy selling it was a personal trainer in the middle of a fast. He was quite chatty and started telling us—well, mostly my dad, since I had to bring him along to actually carry the couch, haha—about all the discomfort he was experiencing. Then he said, “A lot of people don’t understand fasting. It’s not for physical health; it’s a deeply spiritual connection of body and soul.”

Now, I wasn’t new to fasting. My parents have been avid fasters my whole life, and I grew up participating in New Year’s Daniel fasts with my church. But fasting was always taught as a purely spiritual practice, while most people I knew were actually only doing it for physical benefits. That conversation with the personal trainer was the first time I heard someone articulate the connection.





Fast forward to the present: When I lived in Maine as a worship pastor, I regularly fasted from Saturday evening through Sunday lunch in preparation of church. It wasn’t really for any deep reason—it was just a convenient time. Sunday mornings were packed with worship practice and prep, so it was easy to skip breakfast. And if I had a Saturday night event, I’d eat; if not, I’d fast while prepping for church.

Now, I fast from Sunday evening through Monday supper with my entire church staff. On Mondays at lunch, we gather in the prayer chapel to pray over all the ministries. Again, it’s easy because everyone around me is fasting—no one’s sitting in the lunchroom eating while I’m trying to resist hunger. Plus, the time I’d usually spend eating is now filled with corporate prayer.







Reward Sibanda’s book reassured me of three things:
1. No reason for fasting is bad—fasting, whether spiritual or not, has a deep soul impact.
2. Fasting for physical reasons isn’t just okay; it’s good.
3. Fasting as a discipline and routine is valuable.

But none of these things fully encompass biblical fasting.

Reward explains, in a logical and clear way, that fasting’s physicality is what draws out deep spiritual growth. It’s meant to be difficult—not something we try to make as easy as possible—because that very difficulty refines both body and soul.







I also DEEPLY appreciated the Zimbabwean perspective the author brought to the table. A couple of days after finishing the book, I asked my intern—who’s from Zambia—if he wanted to eat with me in the staff café. He said, “No, I’m ministering tomorrow, so I’m fasting today.” I was surprised and asked, “Is that really what ministers do where you’re from? I just read that in a book on fasting, but honestly, I thought it might’ve been exaggerated. Do pastors in most parts of Africa actually always fast before speaking?” His response? “Yes, it’s unimaginable not to. You have to be ready to hear from the Lord.”

If that wasn’t conviction, I don’t know what is.

If there’s anything I took away from this book, it’s this: We take fasting way too lightly in North America, and God is calling us back to a place where we are eagerly uncomfortable in pursuit of His voice. This book will show you how.

Perfect for you if you like:
Working through struggles with fasting
Both Biblical and scientific insights
Global perspectives
Holistic and thorough step by step guides

Similar:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
How to Pray by Pete Greig
Fasting by Jentezen Franklin

Many of us have felt led to fast but the process can seem foreign and daunting. How should one start and stop? How long? How do we pray during fasts? What if we have health conditions? What is God's role? Pastor Reward Sibanda addresses every detail, based on his Zimbabwe Ubuntu upbringing and experiences, Scriptures and wisdom of others. He explains how to approach fasting; physiological effects before, during and after; stressing the how and when, not if; Sabbath fasting; the act of eating versus the art of eating; how long to pray; when and how to break the fast. The power of fasting and prayer is humbling, brings quietness, calibrates life and is transformative. We are sanctified and satiated.

The author discusses various lengths of fasts with a specific focus on twenty one days. He reminds us Jesus fasted and calls us to fast. It was foundational in the Bible and we should center our lives around it. It prepares us to approach God for miracles and God gives us unimaginable grace.

My knowledge on the topic was fairly limited but I now feel better equipped to jump in with obedience to God's calling. This is truly a life changing book and came at the right time!

Sibanda draws from his own twenty-one-day fasting experiences, engaging anecdotes, Scripture, and scientific insights to reveal how fasting, when accurately and prayerfully practiced. The fast practice indeed is a good experience for you.

Loved the very personal take on fasting and the wealth of personal experience Reward shared. I was hoping for a little more thought on the posture of fasting and what it does and thought that part could be more robust. But the book was very well researched in sharing all of the physical effects of fasting. Loved learning about that stuff. Biggest thing is reading the book was so inspiring for me to continue to grow in my fasting journey. So I'd say it was a success overall!

I have always been curious about fasting having grown up as a Christian but never taught to or known why. I've seen it mentioned in the Bible, or heard others talk about prayer and fasting-- but why? I appreciated the author's information for scientific reasons as well as Biblical reasons. It was clearly communicated with scripture and context, and I feel better equipped to deepen my faith in this way.

This was such a helpful book! I've heard a lot about fasting, both for physical and spiritual benefits, but this was by far the most comprehensive resource I've found. The first few chapters are a bit more theologically dense as he lays the groundwork for the rest of the book, but the following chapters are a great mix of practical tips and recommendations. He does a great job outlining the science of fasting and the health benefits, and shares a lot of convicting information about the spiritual benefits as well. When I started the book, I was still a bit wary of fasting, but he has fully convinced me, and I am much more open to and confident in my ability to try an extended fast.

Once again I do not give star ratings to nonfiction books. This book was incredibly informative, however I feel like there were definitely sections that could be expanded on more but I loved everything that was included and I do feel like for people who struggle with fasting will greatly appreciate it.

(The star rating is only for netgalley purposes because I cannot submit my review without a star rating)

Reward Sibanda’s How to Fast is a practical and spiritually enriching guide for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of fasting. The book provides a comprehensive look at the biblical, physical, and spiritual aspects of fasting, blending scripture-based insights with actionable advice.

Sibanda’s writing is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. He demystifies fasting, offering guidance on preparation, maintaining focus, and incorporating prayer to enhance spiritual growth. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and practical tips adds relatability and depth.

Whether you’re exploring fasting for the first time or seeking to refine your practice, How to Fast serves as an inspiring and thoughtful companion for the journey.

Recommended For: Individuals seeking a deeper spiritual connection through fasting and those looking for a clear, faith-based guide to the practice.

I've started a few books on fasting in the past and never got very far through them. When I saw this one on NetGalley, I felt prompted to request it and I'm so glad I did. Fasting is something I've always struggled with through my life and I've tended to hide behind the belief that I need to eat regularly to be able to function properly. And so it's always been a chore that I tried to engage in in my own strength rather than the Lord's, meaning it's bound to always be a struggle for me.

This book is surprisingly easy to read. But that's not because it's not challenging. It is. Sibanda is an experienced faster and provides some great encouragement to adopting fasting as a lifestyle, not just something one does every now and again.

Sibanda provides the Biblical background, and the physiological aspects to it, even walking through what occurs in your body through each day of a 21-day water fast. I particularly appreciated the notion that we have been made to fast. Our bodies, souls and minds function better by adopting it as a lifestyle, not just an occasional event. All the spiritual formation and practices books all include fasting as a practice just like prayer.

Like all practices, it's not about doing it out of guilt or pride but actually out of a desire to draw closer to God. The practice doesn't necessarily do anything spiritual (physiologically it will) but it opens a doorway for us to draw closer to God.

I'm feeling better equipped with greater understanding of the practice and plan to start this year incorporating it in my lifestyle. Like all practices it's about training oneself and Sibanda's book helps guide one on how to train and what to do during a fast and how to end one. And all times, allowing the grace of God to guide me will be essential to growing in and through the practice.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.

A solid overview of the topic of fasting, with a strong emphasis on the relationship between body and soul in prayer.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Interesting book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.