The Digital Fast: Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most

by Darren Whitehead, Henry Cloud (other)

The Digital Fast is a 28-day guided journey to detox your mind and reclaim what matters most. This includes making your smartphone dumb by removing apps that provide distraction (social media, games, news, email etc.) and then only using your smartphone for utility functions (phone, text,calendar, camera, etc.)

By turning down the digital noise, you will experience the time,space and mental clarity to reconnect with those around you and hear the voice of God.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways -- Psalm 119:37



"If every church did The Digital Fast... it would radically alter the current trajectory of the Church" -- John Mark Comer, Bestselling Author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

"We went on this eye-opening journey as a family. We found freedom, presence and connection." -- Scott Harrison,NY Times Bestselling Author of Thirst

"I can say from personal experience that a digital fast made a huge impact on my family." -- Rachel Cruze, Two-Time #1 National Best-Selling Author

"The Digital Fast is a beacon back to spiritual clarity and connection." -- Jon Tyson, Lead Pastor, Church of the City, New York

"Since beginning this work almost eight years ago, I have been longing for someone to bring this message to the church." -- Jenny Black,founder of Media Trauma Care, Author of Our Digital Soul and creator of Lose The Phone Podcast

"Every person will benefit from the intentional path back to mental sanity The Digital Fast provides. I can’t imagine a more important invitation for a community to embark on together." --Gabe Lyons, President, THINQ and Bestselling Author

"I’m so thankful for The Digital Fast. It’s not only packed full of sound research and compelling truth, but it’s presented in a non-judgmental and encouraging tone." -- Preston Sprinkle, host of the Theology in the Raw podcast

"The Digital Fast is such a necessary book for our moment" -- Jefferson Bethke, NYT Bestselling Author of To Hell with the Hustle.

"Darren Whitehead'sThe Digital Fast is an essential read for anyone seeking relief in our intensely digitized world." -- Matthias Barker, CEO, Trauma Institute


We went on this eye-opening journey as a family. We found freedom, presence and connection…
—Scott Harrison, NY Times Bestselling Author of Thirst

I can say from personal experience that a digital fast made a huge impact on my family.
—Rachel Cruze, Two-Time #1 National Best Selling Author

If every church did The Digital Fast… it would radically alter the current trajectory of the Church...
—John Mark Comer, Bestselling Author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

The Digital Fast is a beacon back to spiritual clarity and connection.
—Jon Tyson, Bestselling Author and Pastor, Church of the City, New York

The Digital Fast is such a necessary book for our moment.
—Jefferson Bethke, NY Times Bestselling Author of To Hell with the Hustle

I can’t imagine a more important invitation for a community to embark on together.

Genres: Christian

188 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2024

Reviews

[Bethany Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning and the end chapters. It was full of information discussing what technology does to us. Since I used the book for Lent, I enjoyed the 40-day readings. Some days were better than others, but overall it was a helpful tool while I fasted from social media.

[Anjali Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself was not necessarily groundbreaking, but I do love the way it laid out the digital fast, best practices, and how important it is to do in community- that was the biggest thing for me as I was doing it. I found the workbook to be more helpful than this book as the daily activities helped keep me focused and on track.

[Ash lafferty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept and set up of the fast. The first four chapters are pretty unoriginal.

[Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid book. Pastor Whitehead did nothing fancy or "new," but he laid the groundwork for why phones are slowly killing us and detaching us from the real world. I thoroughly appreciated the Thomas Brooks excerpt from his famous book "Precious remedies against satan's devices." Overall, It was a simple read and can be helpful if you want to be more present and not let your phone master you.

also two slight critiques: Firstly, Whitehead wrote "Before Jesus launched his ministry, he fasted for twenty-eight days in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13)" However scripture says it was 40 days. I'm sure this was a simple mistake but still important. (page 62) Then secondly, I would have liked if the author had gone into more specific detail about some of the apps that are most affecting, which would have hit more close to home instead it's more of just vague summaries on explaining why phones and media are bad but nothing too specific.
Favorite quote
"Our devices and digital technologies have hijacked our attention, leaving us feeling buried under an avalanche of information. But the Gospel frees us to focus on what's supreme and eternal value-Jesus. It reveals to us what truly matters-siting at his feet and learning from him." (page 23)

[Tim Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

My main critique is the organization of the book. The 28-day devotional is in between the opening book section and the conclusion. My personal opinion is this created confusion if someone wanted to sit down on day one and start the 28-day devotional.

Overall this is a powerful book and an important topic. The writing and the devotionals are well done, and I recommend this book to all adults and young adults. I'm not sure I would recommend this particular book to children or teens, but something similar would be great.

[Jenna DiGirolamo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found the content to be very basic and tbh a little boring - maybe my standards are too high after reading The Anxious Generation?

Anywho the overall concept of the digital fast is 10/10 and worth recommending so this gets 3 stars

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this book in preparation for the sermon series at Athens Church. If you are following the workbook, this book is not necessarily. All info is available in the workbook and by watching the sermons online.

[Brian Bement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent exposure of digital distraction and the workbook is going to be excellent to work through as our church walks through a digital fast.

[Justin Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important read but more of a guide to the fast.

[JJ Beairsto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our church did this together over lent. Loved doing this as a family, and church family! Helped us set healthy limits on all tech.

[Jordan Slater]

so good. will repeat.