Any tips for going for a long fast?

TruthSeek3r

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I've watched several testimonies of the powerful benefits of prolonged fasting. Jesus himself was led by the Holy Spirit to fast for 40 days, setting a clear precedent and example for future Christians.

One of the most astonishing testimonies about fasting I've ever watched is the following:

HOW FASTING BROKE A 22 YEAR DRUG ADDICTION OFF MY LIFE AND DREW ME CLOSER TO GOD

This guy was strongly addicted to drugs and alcohol for decades, had some powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit that led to his conversion and later on the HS led him to a 40 day fast without food, only water and juice. He had powerful experiences during the fast and at the end of the fast he was set completely free from all his addictions.

_____________________________________________________________________

Other powerful testimonies about fasting that I know of are unfortunately in Spanish, but I'm leaving a short summary below each one:

Te Sorprendera Lo Que Vio Yiye Avila en los 40 dias de Ayuno

This is the testimony of Yiye Avila's 41-day fast. He was basically deeply distressed with an issue, so he began a fast to seek God's intervention. He was many days into the fast when suddenly he heard God's voice telling him "go and lock yourself up in that room and don't get out until I tell you". When day 33 came, Yiye heard God's voice again telling him "the problem is under my control, you may stop the fast" but then Yiye said "Lord, I've been fasting for 33 days for a miserable problem. Please give 8 more days, so I can intercede for the lost souls and the ministry". Then he saw Jesus' face smiling to him in a vision, meaning that the request was approved. Everything was alright until day 40. However, when day 41 arrived, Yiye felt like all his energy and strength was drained out of him to the point that he couldn't even stand up, and he was not able to feel God's presence anymore. So he just kept praying on the floor with whatever strength was left. Then, at the end of day 41, God's power suddenly fell on him and he recovered all his strength. He was filled with energy and joy again. Then Yiye heard God's voice again, who said: "I allowed this to happen to teach you that the one who supported you throughout the fast was me. The one day I let you go you couldn't do anything."

Mi Ayuno de 31 Días en el Nombre de JESÚS

This is a quite long testimony, but in short, this woman (who by the way has a powerful conversion testimony from occult practices and new age to Christianity, you can check it out in the same channel if you understand Spanish) was led by God to initiate a 31 day-long fast, and experienced a lot of things, including: spiritual warfare, attacks from demons, deliverance from spiritual and emotional problems, among other things.

_____________________________________________________________________

After watching these and other testimonies, and considering all the scriptural evidence for the importance of fasting, I feel very compelled to believe that fasting is the key for spiritual breakthrough.

I'm eager to experience the benefits of fasting by myself. However, I have some issues that are a stumbling block in that pursuit:

1) I'm currently studying a PhD, which keeps me busy with stuff most of the time. Thus, I have serious issues finding enough free time to go for, say, a 1 week long fast.

2) Even if I manage to have the free time, I still face some privacy issues. Many times I'm not alone at home, so even if I somehow manage to get a decent amount of free time, if I lock myself up for praying and fasting full-time, then people at home would begin to ask me questions about it, making the whole experience uncomfortable and awkward, which brings me to the third issue:

3) I'm doing everything in secret. No one has the slightest clue about my spiritual interests. I never discuss spiritual matters with anyone. I would bet that most people see me as a very intellectual and academic person. If I disclose my spiritual interests, I'm pretty sure it would shock a lot of people.

Any tips to pull out a long fast given my circumstances? Have you managed to carry out a long fast yourself? Feel free to share your own experiences. I'll be happy to read.

Thank you very much.
 
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Jonathan Walkerin

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Not sure why you think fasting is going to take your time instead of saving time in cooking, eating, shopping food etc.

For privacy issues you could just say the fast is for health reasons.

Also I would recommend starting with shorter fasts to begin with to familiarize yourself and your body with the process.

Probably a good idea to sign up for assisted course to begin with.
 
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Ancient of Days

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wait tl after Thanksgiving Just kidding.

Better add Christmas to that as well... The best advice is to start with a one day fast. Then a 3 day fast, etc,etc... Work your way up to a higher day count fast...
 
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DarkGalaxy501

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Becareful...i have also heard of cases where it went terribly wrong for the person. Their bodies just couldnt handle a 40 day fast. This is not something to take lightly nor for the wrong reasons. The most important thing overall is to saturate yourself with the bible as much as you can on a daily basis and also with prayer. Those two together will grow your spiritual side. Fasting also helps. But please do not neglect praying and reading the bible....Additionally...All this is of no benefit if you mix in wordly televeision and wordly music. make sure to be zealous for the seeds you are planting in your heart and that you are taking care of it.
 
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Kenny'sID

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This guy was strongly addicted to drugs and alcohol for decades, had some powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit that led to his conversion and later on the HS led him to a 40 day fast without food, only water and juice. He had powerful experiences during the fast and at the end of the fast he was set completely free from all his addictions.

Most dependencies/addictions are only 3 to five days cold turkey, then you are free of the addiction, so someting isn't right here. I'm wondering if the guy ever even had an addiction now, if he dealt with addiction for 40yrs, he'd know better than to tell such a story.


Just watched part of the video. What I just said is true, but for physical addiction. Many of the drugs this guy said he did are not even physicaly addictive, so he's talking mental addiction, someting that is not even a thing for most. Apparently it can be a thing for some, and glad he got himself under control.
 
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xaris

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As a baby Christian, one of the brothers that was helping me along saw through the legalistic bent I was prone to and said that his idea of a fast was a 'single cheeseburger and a coke' (meaning ... 'rather than a double cheeseburger and a milk shake'). I got the drift.
 
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paul1149

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Do be careful. My body was severely depleted of magnesium due to chronic Lyme, and by day 25 of a "complete" fast I had severe intestinal pains and then kidney failure. Some take electrolytes during a long fast. Chances are you'll be fine, but be careful and know your exit strategy should anything go wrong (how you come off a fast is very important).
 
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TruthSeek3r

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Not sure why you think fasting is going to take your time instead of saving time in cooking, eating, shopping food etc.
Because the idea is not just to fast, but spend the time in prayer and other spiritual practices. I see no point in fasting if I'll be busy all the time working on PhD related stuff. It's like Jesus going to the desert to fast but then spending the 40 days finishing carpentry assignments.

For privacy issues you could just say the fast is for health reasons.
I would need some reputable sources to provide as an excuse. Do you know any trustable diets that recommend fasting?

Also I would recommend starting with shorter fasts to begin with to familiarize yourself and your body with the process.
This sounds quite reasonable.

Probably a good idea to sign up for assisted course to begin with.
What course do you have in mind?
 
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TruthSeek3r

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I knew a church leader that went on a 40 day fast and blew the benefits when he finished thinking "Let's see you top that!.

1) Why did he do the fast?
2) Was he led by the Holy Spirit to do it?
3) Was it a no food, just water fast?
4) What did he do during the fast?
5) Did he gain anything from the fast?
 
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TruthSeek3r

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Most dependencies/addictions are only 3 to five days cold turkey, then you are free of the addiction, so someting isn't right here. I'm wondering if the guy ever even had an addiction now, if he dealt with addiction for 40yrs, he'd know better than to tell such a story.
Do you mean that a person cannot resist more than 3 to 5 days cold-turkey if they have a physical addiction, or that if you resist more than 3 to 5 days you become free? Either way, the guy said that he was led by God to fast, and he was able to successfully stay 40 days 1) drugs free and 2) food free. And he also reported powerful experiences with God before and during the fast. Therefore, it completely stands to reason that he was very likely supernaturally assisted during the process if what he's telling is true.

Just watched part of the video. What I just said is true, but for physical addiction. Many of the drugs this guy said he did are not even physicaly addictive, so he's talking mental addiction, someting that is not even a thing for most. Apparently it can be a thing for some, and glad he got himself under control.

I just re-watched the testimony, and the substances he mentioned are:

- marijuana (<<< the whole 22 years)
- cocaine
- mushrooms
- LSD
- ecstasy
- prescription pain pills (<<< very intensely the last couple years before the fast)
- alcohol

In short, he was consuming all kinds of drugs for 22 years, then he did the fast, and as a result he was completely free.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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Do be careful. My body was severely depleted of magnesium due to chronic Lyme, and by day 25 of a "complete" fast I had severe intestinal pains and then kidney failure. Some take electrolytes during a long fast. Chances are you'll be fine, but be careful and know your exit strategy should anything go wrong (how you come off a fast is very important).

Did the Holy Spirit lead you to do the fast? Or did you start the fast out of your own initiative?
 
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Kenny'sID

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Do you mean that a person cannot resist more than 3 to 5 days cold-turkey if they have a physical addiction, or that if you resist more than 3 to 5 days you become free? Either way, the guy said that he was led by God to fast, and he was able to successfully stay 40 days 1) drugs free and 2) food free. And he also reported powerful experiences with God before and during the fast. Therefore, it completely stands to reason that he was very likely supernaturally assisted during the process if what he's telling is true.



I just re-watched the testimony, and the substances he mentioned are:

- marijuana (<<< the whole 22 years)
- cocaine
- mushrooms
- LSD
- ecstasy
- prescription pain pills (<<< very intensely the last couple years before the fast)
- alcohol

In short, he was consuming all kinds of drugs for 22 years, then he did the fast, and as a result he was completely free.

I mean the latter, 3 to 5 days and you are free.

My personal experience is that most of what you mention in the list are not addictive physically, only the alcohol, and it takes tons of that, and the pain pills or narcitics

He basically just liked taking drugs, and hiis experience likely did not stop a physical addiction or at least that may not have been his main issue, but it took away his desire to take drugs. Since some mental addictions can aparently be powerful, there may have been a miracle going on, but I cannot say for sure. Either way, whatever works is good.

If you are fasting just to see a miracle, and arent in great need of something, then you may be dissapointed. Also consider the possibility those in the video were hearing/seeing things due to the stress they put themselves under. Not saying that is for certian, but its fair to question their experience.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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I mean the latter, 3 to 5 days and you are free.
Are you saying this based on some scientific studies? Where did you hear this from?

My personal experience is that most of what you mention in the list are not addictive physically, only the alcohol, and it takes tons of that, and the pain pills or narcitics
The guy said he was heavily addicted to prescription pain pills the last 2 years before the fast. He even said that he was starting to experience tremors in his body due to the pain pills but he wasn't able to cut it down because of how addicted he was. But after the fast he was completely cured.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Are you saying this based on some scientific studies? Where did you hear this from?

It's common knowledge, and I've experienced it. Google it.

The guy said he was heavily addicted to prescription pain pills the last 2 years before the fast. He even said that he was starting to experience tremors in his body due to the pain pills but he wasn't able to cut it down because of how addicted he was. But after the fast he was completely cured.

Anyone can cut down, so to say he couldn't is just incorrect. Fact is, he just wouldn't. Honestly, he sounds like someone with no self control, and maybe he was healed by miracle, maybe not. You decide.

Do you have a drug addiction?
 
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Dave L

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1) Why did he do the fast?
2) Was he led by the Holy Spirit to do it?
3) Was it a no food, just water fast?
4) What did he do during the fast?
5) Did he gain anything from the fast?
I don't know his motive. But he admitted he blew it when he had that thought. He was WoF Pentecostal. It seems he became lost eventually after losing contact with him.
 
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