Pastor Warns: ‘Most Neglected Spiritual Practice’ May Be the Key to Saving Our Souls—and Our Sanity
“People are more comfortable turning to screens than looking to God, and that’s affecting us in ways we don’t fully understand.”
Nashville, Tenn. – In a world of constant scrolling, notifications, and digital distractions, Pastor Dr. Darren Whitehead of Church of the City believes the ancient practice of fasting is “more needed than ever.” But his approach isn’t just about abstaining from food—he argues for a “digital fast” to break free from the relentless grip of technology on our minds and souls. In his new book, The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most, Whitehead redefines fasting for the 21st century, urging believers and skeptics alike to reconsider how they spend their time, attention, and energy.
“We can appease every appetite at a moment’s notice,” Whitehead told CBN News. “People are more comfortable turning to screens than looking to God, and that’s affecting us in ways we don’t fully understand.”
Citing Jesus’ own 40-day fast as a spiritual foundation, Whitehead explains that his church begins every year with a dedicated 21-day season of fasting and prayer. This isn’t simply a tradition—it’s a profound reset meant to remind congregants of their need for something deeper, beyond worldly distractions.
While food fasting has long been a staple of many faith traditions, Whitehead is increasingly concerned with the effects of digital consumption, particularly the impact on mental health and relationships. His goal is to help people re-evaluate how they use technology in ways that mirror traditional fasting: as a means to break dependence and refocus on what truly matters.
“The reason I wanted to do a digital fast is similar to why we fast from food,” Whitehead explains. “People often go to food—or now, to phones—when they’re anxious, afraid, or ashamed. But what if we sought God in those moments instead of scrolling Instagram for hours?”
The digital fast, he argues, addresses a pervasive issue of the modern age: the way we turn to technology as a form of escapism. “What am I missing in my children’s lives because I’m buried in my phone?” Whitehead asks. “If all the quiet moments are filled with distractions, we lose the chance to hear God’s voice, to be present with our families, to grow in faith and self-reflection.”
Beyond individual impact, Whitehead highlights the alarming effect technology is having on young people, particularly teenage girls. “Social media is devastating for their self-esteem, attention, and social growth,” he says. In this light, a digital fast isn’t merely a personal discipline but a movement of intentionality, one that he believes could help a generation reclaim its sense of worth and purpose.
Ultimately, Whitehead’s message is a call to reframe fasting as more than abstinence; it’s about presence. By fasting from screens, he believes people can rediscover a quieter, deeper connection to themselves, their families, and their faith. In a culture fixated on instant gratification, his advice is bold but simple: look up, tune out the noise, and listen for something more divine.
