These are good, but we don't fast to prove our endurance, or to outdo one another. We fast to deny the flesh and to promote the spirit. Moses fasted 40 days and nights, drinking no water or eating no bread, when God gave him the 10 commandments. The leaders at the church of Antioch fasted, and the Holy Ghost spoke to them to separate Saul and Barnabas. And in verse 3 it speaks of their having fasted and prayed.
Prayer is our most powerful weapon against the enemy, and it is intensified while fasting.
It is possible to complete a fast, and to never spend much time in prayer. During an extended fast, I recommend coming to the church every night you possibly can, with your family, and spending as much time as possible in prayer. Guidelines for Fasting 1. Your first two or three days will be a struggle, but I can assure you from personal experience and the testimony of others, after the 3rd day hunger subsides, energy increases. Drink only water as a general rule.