My King and Lord

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I want to know how to do a traditional christian fast. I live in a muslim family and society and Ramadan is here, but I am not going to do the muslim fast since I am now Christian. I tried looking it up, but it got kind of complicated for me. Basically, just let me know of some of the rules for fasting, how to do it, break the fast, etc.
 

DreyDay

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I want to know how to do a traditional christian fast. I live in a muslim family and society and Ramadan is here, but I am not going to do the muslim fast since I am now Christian. I tried looking it up, but it got kind of complicated for me. Basically, just let me know of some of the rules for fasting, how to do it, break the fast, etc.

First off I'm very glad you're doing a fast. Fasting is one of the most powerful ways we can grow and have more of God's presence in our lives. I'm actually on the second day of a water only fast. There are different types of fasts, which are juice fasts, water fasts where you have nothing but water, complete fasts or dry fasts (no food or water), and partial fasts, which is also called a Daniel Fast, where you only consume fruits and vegetables. These different fasts vary in intensity.

Prior to starting a fast, spend a day or two eating healthier than you normally do, so the body won't be too shocked with not eating for an extended time. During your fast, try to avoid too much caffeine, as it is acidic and would disrupt the detox process in the body. Depending on how long you fasted, breaking the fast should be gradual. For example, if you water fasted for a week, spend a day or two afterwards drinking juices, eating only fruits and vegetables, and maybe some soup. The stomach is delicate after the fast, so just take it easy for a little bit and allow the digestive system to be re-acclimated to eating again.

Let me know what kind of fast you're going to do. I'm excited that somebody else here is doing a fast, as it has been such a blessing in my life, where God has shown me miracles, opened new doors for me, and helped me overcome addictions and other obstacles. I hope and pray that your fast will be a blessing in your life. And let me know if there's anything I can pray for you about as well.

-Dante
 
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DreyDay

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During your fast try to avoid social media and other trivial things as much as you can. Spend as much time possible with journaling, prayer, Bible reading, and watching sermons online. Fasting is a time to be introspective, focusing on God and your thoughts. When you are in a fasted state, your brain waves become a lower frequency, theta frequency to be exact, so you are actually more prone to suggestion from the outside. This is why fasting creates the perfect environment for your brain and soul to be molded by godly influences like the Bible, Christian literature, good role models, speakers, etc. Spend some time writing down prayer requests and goals that you want to accomplish. I also found that writing down prayer requests for revelation about certain issues or habits that I need to get rid of helps a lot, and God has delivered on that many times.

Let me know what kind of fast you're going to do. I'm excited that somebody else here is doing a fast, as it has been such a blessing in my life, where God has shown me miracles, opened new doors for me, and helped me overcome addictions and other obstacles. I hope and pray that your fast will be a blessing in your life. And let me know if there's anything I can pray for you about as well.

-Dante
 
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DreyDay

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I want to know how to do a traditional christian fast. I live in a muslim family and society and Ramadan is here, but I am not going to do the muslim fast since I am now Christian. I tried looking it up, but it got kind of complicated for me. Basically, just let me know of some of the rules for fasting, how to do it, break the fast, etc.

First off I'm very glad you're doing a fast. Fasting is one of the most powerful ways we can grow, have more of God's presence in our lives, and even see new doors of opportunity being opened up for career, relationships, and more. I'm actually on the second day of a water only fast. There are different types of fasts, which are juice fasts, water fasts where you have nothing but water, complete fasts or dry fasts (no food or water), and partial fasts, which is also called a Daniel Fast, where you only consume fruits and vegetables. These different fasts vary in intensity.

Prior to starting a fast, spend a day or two eating healthier than you normally do, so the body won't be too shocked with not eating for an extended time. During your fast, try to avoid too much caffeine, as it is acidic and would disrupt the detox process in the body. Depending on how long you fasted, breaking the fast should be gradual. For example, if you water fasted for a week, spend a day or two afterwards drinking juices, eating only fruits and vegetables, and maybe some soup. The stomach is delicate after the fast, so just take it easy for a little bit and allow the digestive system to be re-acclimated to eating again.

During your fast try to avoid social media and other trivial things as much as you can. Spend as much time possible with journaling, prayer, Bible reading, and watching sermons online. Fasting is a time to be introspective, focusing on God and your thoughts. When you are in a fasted state, your brain waves become a lower frequency, theta frequency to be exact, so you are actually more prone to suggestion from the outside. This is why fasting creates the perfect environment for your brain and soul to be molded by godly influences like the Bible, Christian literature, good role models, speakers, etc. Spend some time writing down prayer requests and goals that you want to accomplish. I also found that writing down prayer requests for revelation about certain issues or habits that I need to get rid of helps a lot, and God has delivered on that many times.

Let me know what kind of fast you're going to do. I'm excited that somebody else here is doing a fast, as it has been such a blessing in my life, where God has shown me miracles, opened new doors for me, and helped me overcome addictions and other obstacles. I hope and pray that your fast will be a blessing in your life. And let me know if there's anything I can pray for you about as well.

-Dante
 
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I want to know how to do a traditional christian fast. I live in a muslim family and society and Ramadan is here, but I am not going to do the muslim fast since I am now Christian. I tried looking it up, but it got kind of complicated for me. Basically, just let me know of some of the rules for fasting, how to do it, break the fast, etc.
Eastern Christians, but in union with Rome or not, abstain from meat, cheese and dairy, eggs, and frequently fish.

One meal a day is allowed shortly after Vespers. On the weekend you may have olive oil and wine.
 
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Albion

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I want to know how to do a traditional christian fast. I live in a muslim family and society and Ramadan is here, but I am not going to do the muslim fast since I am now Christian. I tried looking it up, but it got kind of complicated for me. Basically, just let me know of some of the rules for fasting, how to do it, break the fast, etc.
One full meal per day, in the evening preferably.

Plus, two other much smaller meals that would not equal one full meal if added together; and no snacking. Be sure not to discontinue drinking water, however.

You can of course eat less than this if you are in the company of people who are following a stricter regimen.
 
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prodromos

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Eastern Orthodox Christians avoid meat, dairy, as well as alcohol and olive oil because they were traditionally stored in animal skins. Some people have health issues where they cannot go without meat, so they would fast in other ways.
Overall you can simply try to eat less, limit yourself to one meal per day or just eat smaller portions at regular meals. Eat simple foods rather than rich flavoursome food.
Most importantly, spend more time in prayer and give more in charity, otherwise you are simply on a diet and receive little or no spiritual benefit from fasting.
Consider fasting as training yourself to say "no" to temptations. An athlete who doesn't train will struggle to finish the race, and a Christian who doesn't fast will struggle when faced with temptations.
Fasting is a means to an end, it is not the end itself. Don't set the bar too high such that you fail and become despondent.
 
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My King and Lord

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One full meal per day, in the evening preferably.

Plus, two other much smaller meals that would not equal one full meal if added together; and no snacking. Be sure not to discontinue drinking water, however.

You can of course eat less than this if you are in the company of people who are following a stricter regimen.
Now that I am wondering how do you start a fast in Christianity? In Islam when Fajr comes the fast starts and in Maghrib you break the fast. Depending on the time of the year and your location it can be 18 hours or 8 hours. You abstain from all drinks, food, and sexual activity during this time. So when does a fast begin and when does it end?
 
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Now that I am wondering how do you start a fast in Christianity? In Islam when Fajr comes the fast starts and in Maghrib you break the fast. Depending on the time of the year and your location it can be 18 hours or 8 hours. You abstain from all drinks, food, and sexual activity during this time. So when does a fast begin and when does it end?
Maybe this will help: The Fasting Rule of the Orthodox Church
 
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So I can only fast on Wednesday and Friday? Also, do I just get up and start to fast? And what meal is necessary too much?
Fasting is normally every Wednesday and Friday, with longer fasting periods throughout the year (such as Great Lent which just ended - 40 days). Some people do sunset to sunset, so Wednesday fast would begin Tuesday at sunset and end Wednesday at sunset, but most people I've known will begin when they wake up Wednesday and keep the fast until they go to sleep for the night. There is no set amount for everyone on how much they should eat, usually this is all something you would discuss with your priest to develop a specific fasting rule, but a good guideline would maybe be "less than you would normally eat on non-fasting days". Or as some of the Fathers said, eat enough that you feel like praying afterwards. Because that is really the main part of the fast, the purpose, to help you grow closer to God.
 
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Albion

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Now that I am wondering how do you start a fast in Christianity? In Islam when Fajr comes the fast starts and in Maghrib you break the fast. Depending on the time of the year and your location it can be 18 hours or 8 hours. You abstain from all drinks, food, and sexual activity during this time. So when does a fast begin and when does it end?
There are fewer technicalities with this than would be the case with Islam. Just start on the first day and end on the last.

The problem in this case--if it really can be called a problem--is that you are asking about an improvised period of fasting. There are traditional periods in the Christian calendar for which a fast is appointed--Lent, for example--but this is not one of them. You are simply intending to coordinate a Christian type of fast with the Muslim period of fasting.

Bear in mind also that most of the advice you are getting is from Orthodox Eastern Christians about their own churches rules, whereas I have outlined the Western Christian style.
 
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