What you say before a fast depends on why you’re fasting. In Islam, you declare a specific intention called the niyyah. In Judaism, you recite prayers of confession and purification. Christians often pray scripture passages that express dependence on God. Buddhists chant formal vows. And if your fast is for health or medical reasons, what you “say” is more about setting a clear personal intention or communicating with your care team. Here’s what each tradition and context calls for.
Before an Islamic Fast
In Islam, every fast requires a verbal or internal declaration of intention called the niyyah. For Ramadan fasts, this intention must be made before the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) each day. The common Arabic phrasing is: “Nawaitu an asuma ghadan lillahi ta’ala min faridati Ramadan,” which translates to “I intend to fast tomorrow for the sake of Allah as an obligation of Ramadan.” Many scholars teach that the intention doesn’t need to be spoken aloud; holding it firmly in your heart is sufficient. However, many Muslims find that saying it out loud helps them mark the transition into the sacred time of the fast.
For voluntary fasts outside of Ramadan, the intention can be made as late as the morning, as long as you haven’t eaten or drunk anything after dawn. The wording shifts slightly to reflect that the fast is voluntary rather than obligatory. Before eating suhoor itself, many Muslims also say “Bismillah” (in the name of God) and recite a short supplication asking for blessing in the meal that will sustain them through the day.
Before a Jewish Fast
The most significant Jewish fast, Yom Kippur, begins with a sequence of prayers on the evening before. The private prayer known as Tefillah Zakkah is recited before the Kol Nidrei service begins. It involves examining your conscience, making a confession (Vidui), and expressing remorse for wrongdoing. The prayer closes with a request to God to “create in me a pure mind and renew in me an eager spirit.”
During the afternoon service on the eve of Yom Kippur, the confession is also included at the end of the silent Amidah prayer, setting the spiritual tone for the 25-hour fast ahead. For other Jewish fast days like Tisha B’Av or the Fast of Gedaliah, there isn’t a single required statement, but many Jews recite psalms or personal prayers that focus on repentance, mourning, or seeking closeness to God.
Before a Christian Fast
Christianity has no single required formula before fasting, but the tradition strongly emphasizes pairing fasting with prayer and scripture. Many Christians begin a fast by praying specific Bible passages that express dependence on God and redirect attention from physical hunger to spiritual need.
One of the most commonly cited verses is Matthew 4:4, where Jesus says, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Other popular passages include Psalm 27:13 (“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”) and John 6:35, where Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
The practice typically involves reading these passages silently first, reflecting on what they reveal, and then reading them aloud as a prayer offered back to God. Some Christians also state a specific purpose for the fast, whether it’s seeking guidance on a decision, interceding for someone else, or expressing repentance. Matthew 6:16-18 is often referenced as guidance for keeping the fast private and focused on God rather than on outward appearance.
Before a Latter-day Saint Fast
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints observe a monthly Fast Sunday, and the teaching is straightforward: fasting without prayer is just going hungry. Members are encouraged to begin and end the fast with a prayer, and to carry a prayer in their hearts throughout. Before starting, you pray for strength, inspiration, and understanding of God’s will. You can also ask for specific blessings for yourself or loved ones. The fast is meant to have a declared purpose, whether that’s seeking an answer, expressing gratitude, or asking for healing.
Before a Buddhist Fast
Lay Buddhists who observe the Uposatha (a regular day of heightened practice that includes not eating after noon) begin with a formal chant. The process starts with paying homage to the Buddha three times: “Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa,” meaning “Homage to the Exalted One, the Arahant, the Buddha perfected by himself.”
Next, the practitioner takes the Three Refuges: “Buddham saranam gacchami” (To the Buddha I go for refuge), followed by the same declaration for the Dhamma (the teachings) and the Sangha (the community). Then the Eight Precepts are formally requested by chanting, in unison with others: “Mayam bhante tisaranena saha attangasamaññagatam uposatham yacama,” which is a request to undertake the Uposatha observance along with the Three Refuges. This entire sequence is repeated three times.
Setting an Intention for a Health Fast
If you’re fasting for health reasons, like intermittent fasting or a multi-day protocol, there’s no sacred text to recite, but stating your intention clearly can help you follow through. Some people use affirmations such as “I am strengthening my resolve to follow the fasting schedule” or “I am reinforcing my commitment to this fasting regimen.” Others simply write down their reason for fasting and review it when hunger peaks.
Interestingly, research on whether positive expectations actually improve fasting outcomes is mixed. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that participants’ prior expectations about fasting’s effects didn’t correlate with measurable differences in cognitive performance or mood during the fast. In other words, believing the fast will help doesn’t seem to create a placebo boost for mental sharpness. That said, having a concrete, stated goal (like “I’m doing this for metabolic health, not weight loss”) helps frame the experience in a way that keeps motivation practical rather than vague.
What to Say Before a Medical Fast
If you’re fasting before surgery or a medical procedure, the key thing to “say” is an accurate report of when you last ate and drank. Pre-operative protocols at most hospitals require patients to confirm specific statements: that they haven’t eaten solid food after midnight, that they haven’t chewed gum, had mints, or smoked, and (for patients without delayed stomach emptying) that they’ve only had small amounts of clear liquids up to two hours before their arrival time.
You should also tell your care team about any medications you take, particularly for diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes need continued insulin management even when fasting, and certain diabetes medications must be paused before surgery. If you take any prescription medications and are told to fast, ask specifically which pills to take and which to skip on the morning of your procedure. Being precise about these details matters far more than any other preparation.