Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Juice fasting involves abstaining from food while deriving nutritional intake through freshly-juiced vegetables and fruits such that the body may detoxify. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature. Fasting practices may preclude sexual intercourse and other activities as well as food.

In a physiological context, fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, and (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and some diagnostic tests are used to determine a fasting state. For example, a person is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. Metabolic changes toward the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after a meal); "post-absorptive state" is synonymous with this usage, in contrast to the "post-prandial" state of ongoing digestion. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8–72 hours depending on age) conducted under observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia. Finally, extended fasting has been recommended as therapy for various conditions by health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, from ancient to modern.

Peter Derek Vaughan Prince (Bangalore, 14 August 1915–Jerusalem, 24 September 2003) was an international Bible teacher whose daily radio programme Derek Prince Legacy Radio (presently hosted by author Stephen Mansfield) broadcasts to half the population of the world in various languages. These languages include English, Arabic, Spanish, Croatian, Russian, Malagasy, Tongan, Samoan and four dialects of Chinese. He was probably most noted for his teachings about deliverance from demonic oppression and about Israel. He was best known in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles although his teaching is distinctly non-denominational, a fact that has long been emphasised by his worldwide ministry. Derek Prince Ministries operated under the slogan Reaching the unreached and teaching the untaught. Today the mission statement is, Derek Prince Ministries exists to develop disciples of Jesus Christ, through the Bible teaching of Derek Prince. The vision is to reach the peoples of the world, in a language they understand, with the Bible teaching of Derek Prince, using every type of media and all forms of distribution, regardless of the economic means of the recipients.

Dr. Myles Munroe (born (1954-04-20)April 20, 1954) is the president and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI)and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth and resource center that includes leadership training institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a television network, radio and Web communications, and a church community. He is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association and president of the International Leadership Training Institute. He is the author of 23 books and is a motivational speaker.

Myles Munroe was born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1954 and has been a lifetime resident of the Bahamas. He has degrees in fine arts, education and theology from Oral Roberts University (1978), a Master’s degree in administration from the University of Tulsa (1980), and he has been awarded a number of honorary doctoral degrees. He has also served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University. His wife, Ruth Munroe is copastor with him at BFMI. He has a son Chairo (Myles Jr.) and daughter Charisa and says that his family is his greatest responsibility and his marriage his most sacred trust.

Marilyn Hickey (born July 1, 1931) is an American Christian minister and Christian television televangelist and personality who teaches Bible studies both nationally and internationally.

As a young girl, Marilyn, whose parents were professing Methodists, attended church only casually, but she became a born again Christian when she was a teenager. In college, she studied Spanish, intending to become a public high school teacher until she met her husband, Assemblies of God pastor Wallace Hickey, who challenged her commitment to Christ and was her encouragement to become a Pentecostal. The couple married, and after a short time in Texas returned to Denver to found Full Gospel Chapel. The church, now known as Orchard Road Christian Center, is now one of the largest churches in the Denver area, and currently meets in a former mall in Greenwood Village. They have since turned over the pastorate to their daughter Sarah Bowling and son-in-law Reece Bowling.

Hickey has aired a television program since 1973, and since 1996 has co-hosted it with her daughter Sarah. Marilyn and Sarah can be seen on various Christian networks such as Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and the DayStar Network and independent stations in both the U.S. and across the globe, and also on web and podcasts, including the ministries website.