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God's Chosen Fast
Sometimes doubt, fear, and disappointment cause us to lose confidence in God. In this book, Dwayne E. Mercer helps readers see past disappointments through God's eyes and gain courage from biblical examples of faith. He provides tools for us to take faith-risks for God again, stepping out in courageous faith.
174 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
267 people are currently reading
1219 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Wallis
30 books17 followersArthur Wallis (1922-1988)was an itinerant preacher and bible teacher. His ministry had a particular emphasis on revival, prayer, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the ‘restoration’ of the church. He had deeply impacted by accounts of the Revival that took place on the Isle of Lewis in 1949 which he visited. His book In the Day of Thy Power (Christian Literature Crusade: 1956) was the fruit of this visit and his subsequent studies. He wrote some eleven books on themes promoting the Christian life, and traveled widely (in particular to the USA, Australia and New Zealand).
Shortly before his death, he asked for no other memorial than “fruit in people’s lives”. Those who had the privilege of knowing him testify to the lasting impact that Arthur made upon them. His vision for revival is as fresh and as relevant now as it ever was. His book, God’s Chosen Fast (Kingsway: 1968) is the acknowledged classic on the topic of fasting, whilst his book The Radical Christian (Kingsway: 1981) which was his most difficult to write continues to call the Christian to live the dynamic life of Jesus.
Shortly before his death, he asked for no other memorial than “fruit in people’s lives”. Those who had the privilege of knowing him testify to the lasting impact that Arthur made upon them. His vision for revival is as fresh and as relevant now as it ever was. His book, God’s Chosen Fast (Kingsway: 1968) is the acknowledged classic on the topic of fasting, whilst his book The Radical Christian (Kingsway: 1981) which was his most difficult to write continues to call the Christian to live the dynamic life of Jesus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 8, 2017
A classic work from the 1960s and one of the founding figures of British 'restorationism'. It's a good book, and the context helps to explain my one issue with it.
Wallis spends this short book outlining numerous Biblical reasons to fast, peppered with a few stories from recent church history of the impact of fasting on people's lives. He then gives a number of helpful practical pointers to those starting out fasting, and especially to those planning on attempting a longer fast (3-6 weeks). His whole aim seems to be to demystify the concept and return it to normal Christian usage.
My issue is that he lists 30+ reasons to fast, showing the Biblical provenance of each--so far so good--but doesn't give any reflection on whether there's a primary reason (I suspect there is), or on whether fasting is 'required' for each of the purposes he suggests (I know it isn't).
However, writing at a time when these practices were all but lost to the British church, and trying to restore Christians to the full Christian life, I can understand why his emphasis was more to build faith and encourage people to have a go, rather than produce a unified 'theology'.
It's a great primer for someone new to fasting, and the advice for the less common 'long' fasts is particularly welcome (as fasting for a few days is much more common anyway). I am still looking for more theological reflection on the practice: we know it's good for us, but not a command, so why do we do it?
Wallis spends this short book outlining numerous Biblical reasons to fast, peppered with a few stories from recent church history of the impact of fasting on people's lives. He then gives a number of helpful practical pointers to those starting out fasting, and especially to those planning on attempting a longer fast (3-6 weeks). His whole aim seems to be to demystify the concept and return it to normal Christian usage.
My issue is that he lists 30+ reasons to fast, showing the Biblical provenance of each--so far so good--but doesn't give any reflection on whether there's a primary reason (I suspect there is), or on whether fasting is 'required' for each of the purposes he suggests (I know it isn't).
However, writing at a time when these practices were all but lost to the British church, and trying to restore Christians to the full Christian life, I can understand why his emphasis was more to build faith and encourage people to have a go, rather than produce a unified 'theology'.
It's a great primer for someone new to fasting, and the advice for the less common 'long' fasts is particularly welcome (as fasting for a few days is much more common anyway). I am still looking for more theological reflection on the practice: we know it's good for us, but not a command, so why do we do it?
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November 9, 2008Several years ago just after my renewal of faith I felt the "urge" to fast. The urge kept repeating itself daily for a couple of weeks until I finally said, "Alright, alright, so I will fast, you need to know that I need medical and spiritual knowledge of this fasting so you neeed to show me. A couple of days later, I was at a friend's place. I went into the kitchen to talk to him. As I passed through the door my glance fell of the little table that was under the telephone ... the place where the telephone book usually rested. On that table this day was a little book called "God's Chosen Fast" Needless to say I asked to borow the book and having received the "ok", I promised to return it the next day. It proved to be a quick and easy read covering the questions of the medical and spiritual benefits and risks of fasting.
When I returened to my residence I retired to bed and before sleeping I read the whole book and promptly fell asleep.
When I awoke the next morning I decided to return the book. As I was walking along the street, I remember saying, "Ok, I'll start fasting to day. (Thinking I would enjoy a last meal before startin my fast) To my surprise the reply came back, "You already have". "How so ?", said I. "You did not eat last night" came the reply !
Form this point on I had the most interesting experience in fasting.
This book is excellent and a must read for anyone who seeks to know God's will regarding fasting ... I otta know ... I got it from Him Himself !!!! Happy reading
Stew
When I returened to my residence I retired to bed and before sleeping I read the whole book and promptly fell asleep.
When I awoke the next morning I decided to return the book. As I was walking along the street, I remember saying, "Ok, I'll start fasting to day. (Thinking I would enjoy a last meal before startin my fast) To my surprise the reply came back, "You already have". "How so ?", said I. "You did not eat last night" came the reply !
Form this point on I had the most interesting experience in fasting.
This book is excellent and a must read for anyone who seeks to know God's will regarding fasting ... I otta know ... I got it from Him Himself !!!! Happy reading
Stew
July 16, 2016
The Bible says "when you fast," not "if you fast." The author talks at length about not making health concerns an issue in fasting, saying that fasting is actually healthy. Then in the questions at the end, he responds that it's not recommended that diabetics fast. However, he also indicate there are more than one way to fast: you can fast from one category of food (as many of us fast from meat on Fridays) or fast one meal instead of the entire day. This book is helpful to Christians who already fast as well as to those just considering it for the first time.
February 13, 2022
Had this book on my shelf for about five years before I finally picked it up, but it came at a great time in my life.
Overall this book was kinda a toss up for me. There’s essentially two “parts” in this book, (although Wallis doesn’t necessarily segment the book that way, it’s more of a naturally separation) a biblical theology of fasting and then a practical guide to fasting.
At my current moment in life I found the practical guide much more helpful than the theological guide. The prat up guide answered questions like: What are the different types of fasting? How long is healthy to fast? Should I exercise while I fast? How do a break my fast once I’m done?
These were all very helpful to me and a learned a lot from this book.
The theological section is where Wallis looses his two stars, for me. It felt a bit erratic and unplanned as he seemed to jump randomly all over scripture. Some of his biblical passage were taken out of context, and sometimes he didn’t even provide references for his scripture passage.
Over all this book is a “good but I need to keep reading on the topic” for me. Wallis does, however, definitely peak the interest and prime the appetite for more on the subject.
Overall this book was kinda a toss up for me. There’s essentially two “parts” in this book, (although Wallis doesn’t necessarily segment the book that way, it’s more of a naturally separation) a biblical theology of fasting and then a practical guide to fasting.
At my current moment in life I found the practical guide much more helpful than the theological guide. The prat up guide answered questions like: What are the different types of fasting? How long is healthy to fast? Should I exercise while I fast? How do a break my fast once I’m done?
These were all very helpful to me and a learned a lot from this book.
The theological section is where Wallis looses his two stars, for me. It felt a bit erratic and unplanned as he seemed to jump randomly all over scripture. Some of his biblical passage were taken out of context, and sometimes he didn’t even provide references for his scripture passage.
Over all this book is a “good but I need to keep reading on the topic” for me. Wallis does, however, definitely peak the interest and prime the appetite for more on the subject.
March 30, 2019
I read this book in preparation for and at the beginning of participation in a 21-day partial fast with a local church. The partial fast is from meats and sweets. This book was helpful in describing different types of fasts, the reason for fasting, and different things to expect while fasting.
The three types of fasting listed were:
Normal fast: Abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water.
Absolute fast: Abstaining from drinking as well as eating. (Normally never for more than three days.)
Partial fast: Emphasis on restriction of diet, rather than complete abstention. (“Daniel fast”; Daniel 10:3)
This book was more focused on normal fasting than the partial fasting, but I would say that this was a great introduction to the discipline of fasting overall and a great help on reasons and practical matters.
Overall, a helpful and educational book.
The three types of fasting listed were:
Normal fast: Abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water.
Absolute fast: Abstaining from drinking as well as eating. (Normally never for more than three days.)
Partial fast: Emphasis on restriction of diet, rather than complete abstention. (“Daniel fast”; Daniel 10:3)
This book was more focused on normal fasting than the partial fasting, but I would say that this was a great introduction to the discipline of fasting overall and a great help on reasons and practical matters.
Overall, a helpful and educational book.
November 6, 2023
This pamphlet/short book on fasting has been really helpful as Josh and I have been learning about how to make fasting part of our life (shout out Practicing the Way!). He writes really clearly and concisely, emphasizing what the Bible says about fasting.
March 17, 2025
A powerful and practical read on how to fast well.
Thanks for the rec, Momma P.
Thanks for the rec, Momma P.
April 6, 2014
A fantastic primer on a subject referenced over 82 times in Scripture (with 26 of those references occurring in the New Testament). Wallis surveys Scripture and offers the reader solid reasons for recovering this neglected practice. The book is highly practical and offers guidance for those who have never fasted as well as for those who have more experience in this area. I especially appreciated his long list of reasons for fasting as well as his “diary of a fast” which provides a factual account of someone’s thoughts and feelings as they progressed through a prolonged period of fasting. I finished the book understanding the necessity of fasting in the Christian life and the benefits of doing so.
September 26, 2020
This is a very helpful volume providing guidelines for the biblical, spiritual and practical aspects of fasting. Too little is written about this important topic and I am indebted to the author for his discussion of the topic. I look forward to practicing this discipline with profitable results.
March 5, 2025
This is a pretty good resource. It was recommended reading from The Fasting Practice (Practicing the Way). There is more said about longer fasts, while I’m only starting to learn about and desire a modest rhythm of shorter fasts.
A recent experience with a nutrition “challenge” at the gym played a role in prompting me to take action on fasting. While the challenge itself wasn’t particularly impactful for me (or maybe I just wasn’t fully committed), it did spark some valuable realizations. One takeaway was a comment from a video in the program: “Have it and move on.” It helped me recognize that I want to enjoy good food while maintaining control—God gave us good things, but we don’t need to be ruled by them.
Our western, individual culture seems to value doing anything we want and we see examples everywhere of letting our desires lead us. We binge watch our screens, we way overeat, we buy stuff to the point of needing storage units. No wonder why self control is part of the fruit of the Spirit. I’m praying for greater self control in my life.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this spiritual practice deepens my connection with God, shapes my heart toward the vulnerable, and cultivates discipline in other areas of life.
A recent experience with a nutrition “challenge” at the gym played a role in prompting me to take action on fasting. While the challenge itself wasn’t particularly impactful for me (or maybe I just wasn’t fully committed), it did spark some valuable realizations. One takeaway was a comment from a video in the program: “Have it and move on.” It helped me recognize that I want to enjoy good food while maintaining control—God gave us good things, but we don’t need to be ruled by them.
Our western, individual culture seems to value doing anything we want and we see examples everywhere of letting our desires lead us. We binge watch our screens, we way overeat, we buy stuff to the point of needing storage units. No wonder why self control is part of the fruit of the Spirit. I’m praying for greater self control in my life.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this spiritual practice deepens my connection with God, shapes my heart toward the vulnerable, and cultivates discipline in other areas of life.
April 22, 2025
A solid primer on fasting. I read this with my book study group to help guide us through this Lent with this particular spiritual discipline. I'm grateful for its simple summary of the purpose and scriptural warrant for fasting. In a time of such excess and lack of self-control, fasting and prayer are definitely needed. I plan to figure out a way to integrate fasting into my non-Lenten spiritual habits.
March 28, 2021
I thought this was a good primer on fasting. The author gave a great introduction on the biblical basis for fasting as well as how to actually do it. The subtitle is "A Spiritual and Practical Guide to Fasting." The book was just that! This would be a good book for someone who does not know much about the topic of fasting. That same person could probably also get all of the same information from a couple of articles online in less than an hour.
August 8, 2022
Phenomenal introduction to the spiritual practice of fasting! This is probably the book that I’d give to anyone who wants to more seriously consider this practice, without any prior experience with the practice. Obviously, his views and comments on health and nutrition are a little dated, and he didn’t touch on the ever increasing issue of eating disorders. For that, I’ll have to turn elsewhere.
November 28, 2025
4.5 stars. Excellent and concise primer on the biblical practice of fasting. The health claims and diet advice sound a bit dated (published in 1968) and potentially inaccurate, but this was only a peripheral part of the book so I won’t take off too many points.
For someone who would like to grow in this area, I found a lot of value and inspiration here and felt that it was overall very reasonable and logical vs. fanatical and starry-eyed.
For someone who would like to grow in this area, I found a lot of value and inspiration here and felt that it was overall very reasonable and logical vs. fanatical and starry-eyed.
January 29, 2025
Not a long read but filled with strong practical and theological discussion about fasting - a spiritual practice that was instituted by God and carried on throughout almost all of church history until the last couple of centuries.
February 22, 2024
iffy theology, horrible science
February 17, 2021
Amazingly good and comprehensive book about fasting, for Christians. First published in 1968, this book is a way to learn more about what it means to fast if you are a Christian. There are chapters on all the reasons a Christian might want to fast, such as deliverance, or sanctification, or to ask for something. There are also chapters near the end of the book about physical considerations - how to start a fast, and how to end a long fast. The author recommends both long and short fasts - it is all dependent on the individual person's needs.
The chapters are very short - only about five or six pages each. That made it easy for me to read one chapter at a sitting. My attention span for this type of book is short, sorry to say, however the chapters were tightly focused on only one aspect of fasting. That made it easy to read a chapter quickly and um... digest what it said. Fasting is a deep subject, mentioned more frequently in the Bible than I'd been aware of, and this book organized the information and was easy to read.
Overall, the book inspired me to want to fast. It brought forth some ideas about reasons I should want to fast. I've been a Christian only five and a half years . . . before that I did some fasting for health reasons. This is something entirely different. It suggests a closer relationship with the Lord, and lots of prayer while fasting, and some kind of spiritual reason for wanting to start the fast. For example, the person who wrote the "fasting diary" at the end of the book was fasting for blessings for a certain country that was not named.
Anyhow, I recommend this book to any Christian who wants to fast, or who just wants to learn more about why many Christians are fasting.
The chapters are very short - only about five or six pages each. That made it easy for me to read one chapter at a sitting. My attention span for this type of book is short, sorry to say, however the chapters were tightly focused on only one aspect of fasting. That made it easy to read a chapter quickly and um... digest what it said. Fasting is a deep subject, mentioned more frequently in the Bible than I'd been aware of, and this book organized the information and was easy to read.
Overall, the book inspired me to want to fast. It brought forth some ideas about reasons I should want to fast. I've been a Christian only five and a half years . . . before that I did some fasting for health reasons. This is something entirely different. It suggests a closer relationship with the Lord, and lots of prayer while fasting, and some kind of spiritual reason for wanting to start the fast. For example, the person who wrote the "fasting diary" at the end of the book was fasting for blessings for a certain country that was not named.
Anyhow, I recommend this book to any Christian who wants to fast, or who just wants to learn more about why many Christians are fasting.
September 25, 2024
Simple, easy to read, very practical.
June 16, 2021
Good overview of fasting from British teacher, Arthur Wallis (1922-88). Recommended by John Piper here. It's clear that Whitney (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life) and Foster (Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth) leaned heavily on Wallis' work (Foster so much so that he nearly plagiarizes Wallis).
Wallis describes biblical fasting (chs. 1-8), explains the purposes of fasting (chs. 9-17) and finally deals with practical matters (chs. 18-23). His chapters on spiritual deliverance (ch. 12) and extra biblical revelation (ch. 14) are problematic, but the rest of the book was motivating and practical.
I read this to prepare to teach on fasting to pastors in Rio Branco (June, 2021).
Wallis describes biblical fasting (chs. 1-8), explains the purposes of fasting (chs. 9-17) and finally deals with practical matters (chs. 18-23). His chapters on spiritual deliverance (ch. 12) and extra biblical revelation (ch. 14) are problematic, but the rest of the book was motivating and practical.
I read this to prepare to teach on fasting to pastors in Rio Branco (June, 2021).
April 8, 2025
Truly excellent! Wallis lays out a clear and compelling case for the "why" of fasting as well as the nuts and bolts of "what" and "how".
But it is not just a good nuts and bolts explanation of how to, he does a fantastic job of reminding the reader who fasting is primarily for. Yes it has many benefits to the one who fasts, but it is not a magical practice to solve your problems and get breakthrough. Primarily it is a practice to be carried out "unto God" and it just so seems that God may well pour out blessing as he loves to do. As Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom and righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
We should not hope to fool God into blessing us as we wish, He will know what is in our heart.
I learned from this book that fasting is very much to be a normal part of the Christian life, but it is also a matter of listening and being responsive to the guidance and leading of Spirit.
Wallis also covers and warns against some of the common pitfalls and potential dangers of going overboard and falling into asceticism.
Overall a fantastic guide for an essential practice that has been largely forgotten.
But it is not just a good nuts and bolts explanation of how to, he does a fantastic job of reminding the reader who fasting is primarily for. Yes it has many benefits to the one who fasts, but it is not a magical practice to solve your problems and get breakthrough. Primarily it is a practice to be carried out "unto God" and it just so seems that God may well pour out blessing as he loves to do. As Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom and righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
We should not hope to fool God into blessing us as we wish, He will know what is in our heart.
I learned from this book that fasting is very much to be a normal part of the Christian life, but it is also a matter of listening and being responsive to the guidance and leading of Spirit.
Wallis also covers and warns against some of the common pitfalls and potential dangers of going overboard and falling into asceticism.
Overall a fantastic guide for an essential practice that has been largely forgotten.
November 28, 2019
This thin book is a straightforward and systematic, albeit pithy, look at Christian fasting. It covers pretty much every reference to fasting in the Bible; questions about motivation; and practical concerns—types of fasts, how to start and break a fast, physical health signs, etc. Besides all that, it has a simple diary of a 21-day fast by a friend of the author, and I thought that was inspiring and encouraging.
There are two gaps the book didn't really address: eating disorders that are so common today (this is an older book), and needing to be careful about sodium/electrolytes during and after a fast. Understandably, these psychological and physiological areas are not the author's domain—he shouldn't be offering medical advice to address these issues, but mentioning the need to consult a doctor would have been good.
Otherwise, I think this is a great to-the-point book that checks a Christian's motivation, challenges them to deeper worship, and provides answers to nearly every spiritual fasting question you can think of.
There are two gaps the book didn't really address: eating disorders that are so common today (this is an older book), and needing to be careful about sodium/electrolytes during and after a fast. Understandably, these psychological and physiological areas are not the author's domain—he shouldn't be offering medical advice to address these issues, but mentioning the need to consult a doctor would have been good.
Otherwise, I think this is a great to-the-point book that checks a Christian's motivation, challenges them to deeper worship, and provides answers to nearly every spiritual fasting question you can think of.
June 10, 2016
In the last days
I will pour out my spirit Joel 2:28
I will build my church Matthew 16:18
I will come again John 14:3
Awesome read for anyone thinking of going deeper into the things of God Arthur says "Fasting makes one sensitive to the world of the spirit, whether divine or satanic. Only if Satan already has avenues in a person's life will he become subject to satanic impressions when he fasts.That these inroads should become evident in this way is often the first step to deliverance for the person concerned. Where there are no such avenues, there's nothing to fear, provided we remain humble before God, and are clad in the heavenly armor. God did not design fasting to make us vulnerable to Satan
I will pour out my spirit Joel 2:28
I will build my church Matthew 16:18
I will come again John 14:3
Awesome read for anyone thinking of going deeper into the things of God Arthur says "Fasting makes one sensitive to the world of the spirit, whether divine or satanic. Only if Satan already has avenues in a person's life will he become subject to satanic impressions when he fasts.That these inroads should become evident in this way is often the first step to deliverance for the person concerned. Where there are no such avenues, there's nothing to fear, provided we remain humble before God, and are clad in the heavenly armor. God did not design fasting to make us vulnerable to Satan
October 20, 2016
In chapter 10 Arthur Wallis says, "In her folly and ignorance, the church has largely looked upon fasting as obsolete. She has thrown it down in some dark corner, and there it has lain forgotten. Yet, an hour of impending crisis for the church and the world demands its [swift] recovery." Reading his words has only strengthened a growing conviction of the importance of this practice. It has made me eager to read another of his works, Rain from Heaven, soon and find more time in the coming months and years to fast.
June 12, 2025
Content was solid, the most comprehensive book I’ve read on the topic & addressed most questions or issues that could be surfaced with fasting. I do wish it dove deeper into the question of who should take on a longer fast & address the area of eating disorders and who shouldn’t fast// when to fast. It really only addressed that question with the answer “only fast if God instructs you to”. I also didn’t love his writing style.
July 30, 2013
Wow. Very interesting book. Lots of food for thought (pun intended). I've never fasted before, and the author motivated the idea well. He did seem to focus on long fasts that seem crazy intimidating, but all the scripture background was very interesting and informative.
April 22, 2011
Wallis seeks to define normal, absolute and partial fasts and gives many practical and biblical reasons for fasting. jury still out even after reading this classic on fasting ...
August 18, 2018
Bien fundamentado, ideas claras, historia y porvenir de este tema tan poco practicado en la iglesia. Si quieres conocer la voluntad de Dios acerca del ayuno, este es el libro que necesitas.
April 7, 2025
I picked up God’s Chosen Fast after it was recommended in the Practicing the Way series on fasting by Jon Mark Comer. Fasting hasn’t been a regular part of my spiritual life—it’s something I dabbled in during college, but once I got married and life filled up, it slowly drifted to the background. Still, I’ve had this quiet sense that it’s a practice I need to return to. Reading this book—especially alongside practicing fasting with our church small group—helped bring that conviction into focus and gave me the clarity and encouragement I needed to take that step.
Wallis provides a thorough spiritual and biblical foundation for fasting, and what struck me most was how he also touched on the physical aspects of the practice. He explores how fasting naturally helps the body release toxins and clear out dead cells, reminding the reader that it’s not dangerous for a healthy person—it’s actually a very natural, even beneficial process. It helped normalize the idea of fasting for me. This isn’t some fringe activity reserved for monks or “super-spiritual” Christians. It’s something people have done for centuries, across faiths and cultures. In fact, it seems like fasting has mostly fallen out of practice in the evangelical church. I found myself wondering how much of that is due to the influence of global consumerism. After all, fasting isn’t a message the corporate world wants you to hear—self-discipline, choosing less, and confronting your appetites don’t sell very well.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was doing it in our community. Studying and practicing fasting together with others created a sense of shared discipline and mutual encouragement. I’m not sure I would’ve taken those steps on my own. Now, I’m beginning to integrate regular fasting into my rhythm and even looking ahead to longer fasts during times of prayer and petition. It’s helping me see fasting not just as a duty, but as a gift—even when it’s hard. Maybe especially when it’s hard.
That said, the book does feel dated. Wallis primarily quotes white, Protestant men from the mid-20th century and earlier, and uses male pronouns as a default for all spiritual practitioners. There’s little engagement with voices from the global church or with women’s perspectives. This became especially clear in the absence of practical advice for people like nursing mothers, or anyone whose relationship with food is shaped by cultural or health complexities. It’s not that the content is wrong—but it’s incomplete. If I were recommending this book, I’d say it’s best suited for someone already spiritually mature, someone who can mine the value without being tripped up by the narrowness of the voices represented.
Despite those limitations, I did find God’s Chosen Fast to be a helpful, convicting read. It reminded me that fasting is not about earning anything from God—it’s about realigning our hearts, quieting our impulses, and making space for deeper communion. And perhaps, in an age of noise and excess, that kind of intentional quiet is more needed than ever.
Wallis provides a thorough spiritual and biblical foundation for fasting, and what struck me most was how he also touched on the physical aspects of the practice. He explores how fasting naturally helps the body release toxins and clear out dead cells, reminding the reader that it’s not dangerous for a healthy person—it’s actually a very natural, even beneficial process. It helped normalize the idea of fasting for me. This isn’t some fringe activity reserved for monks or “super-spiritual” Christians. It’s something people have done for centuries, across faiths and cultures. In fact, it seems like fasting has mostly fallen out of practice in the evangelical church. I found myself wondering how much of that is due to the influence of global consumerism. After all, fasting isn’t a message the corporate world wants you to hear—self-discipline, choosing less, and confronting your appetites don’t sell very well.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was doing it in our community. Studying and practicing fasting together with others created a sense of shared discipline and mutual encouragement. I’m not sure I would’ve taken those steps on my own. Now, I’m beginning to integrate regular fasting into my rhythm and even looking ahead to longer fasts during times of prayer and petition. It’s helping me see fasting not just as a duty, but as a gift—even when it’s hard. Maybe especially when it’s hard.
That said, the book does feel dated. Wallis primarily quotes white, Protestant men from the mid-20th century and earlier, and uses male pronouns as a default for all spiritual practitioners. There’s little engagement with voices from the global church or with women’s perspectives. This became especially clear in the absence of practical advice for people like nursing mothers, or anyone whose relationship with food is shaped by cultural or health complexities. It’s not that the content is wrong—but it’s incomplete. If I were recommending this book, I’d say it’s best suited for someone already spiritually mature, someone who can mine the value without being tripped up by the narrowness of the voices represented.
Despite those limitations, I did find God’s Chosen Fast to be a helpful, convicting read. It reminded me that fasting is not about earning anything from God—it’s about realigning our hearts, quieting our impulses, and making space for deeper communion. And perhaps, in an age of noise and excess, that kind of intentional quiet is more needed than ever.
November 24, 2025
God’s Chosen Fast
A spiritual and practical guide to fasting
By Arthur Wallis
Reviewer’s Note 🥸
A truly life changing read. I have been on an “intermittent fasting for health” initiative over the past 6 months, in which I have adopted the OMAD Approach: One Meal A Day. Granted, I have achieved some pretty amazing results, including losing 40 pounds at my peak, and drastically reducing my overall visceral abdominal fat. But the time eventually came where I no longer wanted to lose weight, but to maintain the weight I achieved. My eating habits eventually devolved into periodic junk food binges. Not until I realized that I was being spiritually attacked did I seek out the information in this book, which helped me to overcome these attacks.
I listened to this short audiobook rather quickly the first time through. Then I listened to it more slowly the second time. Then I bought the eBook and started reading it page by page to highlight key points.
Overview 📝
“God’s Chosen Fast” is a powerful application of what fasting is in the Bible, how it is to be carried out, the various types of fasts, and what spiritual benefits the Christian can hope to attain through fasting.
The author notes: “God reminds His people that the acceptable fast is the one that He has chosen. Fasting, like prayer, must be God-initiated and God-ordained if it is to be effective.” The author gleans further insights from Isaiah 58, a chapter devoted to God’s way of fasting, as well as other sections of the Old and New Testament where fasting is mentioned. Each chapter focuses on a certain aspect of Spiritual Fasting.
Criticisms 🤢
1. The author tends to ramble at times, or go down rabbit holes with a particular line of thought. Omitting these examples would help make the chapters more concise.
2. Other times the author belabors a point after it’s clearly been made.
3. The author uses biblical accounts of fasting over and over again, applying it to first this situation, and then that situation, and oh yes, that other situation too!
Final Thoughts 🤔
A very practical read for me. I’m sure I’ll reference for years to come.
5 Stars ⭐️
February 28, 2024
An asterisked five stars …
After having read Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, A Hunger for God, and Scot McKnight’s Fasting, I figured it was time to read the foundational book they all referenced. And I’m glad I did! There is so much good content, both practical and philosophical/theological. I marked plenty of passages and will return to the book again and again.
Written in 1968, there is a somewhat dated feel and a tone I felt at times to be slightly dismissive or patronizing. At one point I disagreed with his spiritualizing a text that I believe has practical application even today, but these are all minor quibbles. Although a short text (less than 200 pages), God’s Chosen Fast packs in almost everything one might want to know about the Christian spiritual discipline of fasting. A must read if you are interested in this practice.
After having read Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, A Hunger for God, and Scot McKnight’s Fasting, I figured it was time to read the foundational book they all referenced. And I’m glad I did! There is so much good content, both practical and philosophical/theological. I marked plenty of passages and will return to the book again and again.
Written in 1968, there is a somewhat dated feel and a tone I felt at times to be slightly dismissive or patronizing. At one point I disagreed with his spiritualizing a text that I believe has practical application even today, but these are all minor quibbles. Although a short text (less than 200 pages), God’s Chosen Fast packs in almost everything one might want to know about the Christian spiritual discipline of fasting. A must read if you are interested in this practice.
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