Currently entered into prayer + fasting

[wayfaring man]

Started fasting yesterday , (water + a little Vit. C with Cal. Mg. Zc. w/ copper + boron) .

Intend / expect fast to extend from 9/7 to 10/7 , approx. 30 days .

Takes around three days for most of the effects to begin .

Plan on posting here as things progress .

Seeking cleansing , healing , consecration , restoration + renewed inspiration for godly living , and improved human relations .

...For he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? <-----> 1st John 4:20

 

[razeontherock]

EDITED: the post I responded to was deleted. I did NOT disagree w/ the OP in the least!

In total and complete opposition to what the above poster just said, fasting is one of the BEST tools a Christian has, as you must surely know. If you want power with G-d - FAST.

However, a 30 day fast w/ 0 calories and only water is EXTREME. If you haven't really been developing your ability to fast over the past several months or years, this 30 day objective may prove foolhardy. Also, generally after fasting you need to go about as long on an altered / abnormal diet, to allow your body to re-adjust. I'm sure that doesn't mean 30 days, but on a more normal 3 day fast, it would mean 3 days.

I hope you've renewed our mind w/ all the Scripture teaches on fasting?

 

[wayfaring man]

[ Edit : wrote the below before realizing raze was initially commenting about a derogatory post which was deleted before I ever saw it .]

Response to raze ,

You are of course entitled to your own opinion , but it seems odd to me that you could be - "In total and complete opposition" , without knowing much at all about me and my past experiences with prayer and fasting .

It sounds to me like you were writing out of your own personal fearfulness towards extended fasting , which brought forth an uncalled for , and biased , extremist type response .

As far as what Scripture has to say regarding fasting - it cites several instances of extended fasts of 21 - 40 days .

Scripture testifies - The Spirit teaches .

Appreciate the response .

Sincerely ,

wm

 

[Heaven-Sent]

Maybe he was concerned for you, not making fun of you.

 

[wayfaring man]

Maybe he was concerned for you, not making fun of you.

[ Edit : wrote the below before realizing raze was initially commenting about a derogatory post which was deleted before I ever saw it .]

Didn't think he was " making fun " , but being somewhat contrary + critical .

Towards the end of his post there's some hint of concern , but the beginning comes off as a throwing down of the gauntlet of disagreement .

So , maybe not !

Thanks for responding .

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 4/5 ,

Going well , a little light headed and dizzy at times during mild exertion , but overall the sense is that the process is spiritually satisfying and working well within .

Had a normal bowel movement the 2/3 day , with only a few instances of gas after that .

Still brush / massage teeth and gums once a day , only use myrrh gum powder , baking soda , and little salt , mixed together.

I have been enabled to fast in the past , over the span of more than a few years , to have undergone water fasts of 1 , 3 , 7 , 14 , 16 , 21 days starting with the least .

I learned taking a little vitamin C each day help keep one's gums from receding and in good condition . The body cannot store vitamin C well . The cal. mg. zinc mineral supplement taken with the C w/ bioflavonoids helps moderate the acidity of the C , and since I was already slightly underweight ( 154 lbs. @ 5'10" ) when beginning this fast , it seemed good to add some bone related minerals .

A while back , it occurred to me that part of what allows one to endure an extended fast is the willingness to accept that physical death is a just and merciful sentence from The Lord , for all of us who have sinned ... for not only is that death temporal , due to the resurrection , but it is that very experience of dying which allows us to let go of those sins , which we would not let go , if / when we feel like we're going to be able to keep on going indefinitely .

Additionally , my circumstance is somewhat unique , ( as is practically everyone's ) , wherein , I am not strictly obligated or assigned to much of a demanding routine .

If I had to go out 5-6 days a week and frame houses , or trim trees , as I once did ; this would appear to be an incompatible undergoing .

During extended fasts , it's fitting to move slowly and takes things easy , so that the body isn't suddenly overtaxed .

Anyone considering fasting should study the subject , and seek The Lord's Counsel .

Practical thinking often has some merit , yet at times The Lord's leading goes way beyond what is normally considered sensible .

Weigh it all out , proceed without doubt , but beware of presumption .

And May The Lord of Grace & Peace Be Glorified in Truth & Love !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 6 ,

A few additions to the above post - when brushing teeth + gums , always brush top of tongue well at the end of the brushing . Tongue tends to get coated when fasting .

Also regarding the C and mineral supplement , I don't swallow these , but rather let them dissolve together in my mouth , sometimes sipping water to wash it down a bit , this way it ensures assimilation . One word of caution though , vitamin C is rather acidic and if one leaves it in one place for long ( against cheek and teeth for example ) it will burn you ... so I keep it rolling around on top of my tongue to prevent this .

Have been more active yesterday and today than expected . Repaired clothes dryer , mowed the lawn , went for a ride , did a little shopping , and the lightheadedness / dizziness appears to have subsided , and have now entered what could be described as an overall feeling of being somewhat comfortably numb . Had second but much smaller bm this morn , no diarrhea yet , anyway ... sometimes that's the case when fasting . Ate a bunch of yogurt cups as part of last meal ... probably helped .

Had a little riddle come to me this morning - When does a lower number signify a greater amount ?

Here's a clue , I'm 1/5 of the way through .

God is good , God is great , and I thank Him for this fast . Amen .

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 7 ,

One more thing about the Vit. C - it's best to avoid the chewable / sweetened kind when fasting , as sugar does not go well with one's metabolic state while fasting ... which also means avoid particularly sweet things initially once taking in food resumes .

This morning the dizziness and lightheadedness returned , and I saw ( what I often see when as such ) what appears to be an animated object / creature made of light , it is everywhere I look and appears to be beating / flapping it's wings about 10x per second . It seems about the size of a dove , and is positioned just beyond my arms reach . I wonder if any one else sees this ?

I imagine it could be an angel drawing close , when I'm in danger of falling / passing out .

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. <-----> Psalm 91:11+12

Or could it be the enemy appearing as an angel of light , seeking to exploit me at a time of being weakened , as when Jesus had fasted 40 days , and then Satan came to him seeking to tempt him ? ( Interestingly the devil tried to use Psalm 91:11+12 to trick Jesus into jumping off a cliff , as a test of God's Word .)

But the sense that I get from it , is that , it is a warning sign , meant to ensure that I have a fair warning to slow down , or sit down , before I faint , and fall down .

It is also quite possible that it is ( at least in part ) a side effect of stored toxins being processed out of fatty tissue , which tends to store such things .

Quite a few years ago , I was frequently seeing that hovering light , and feeling faint , particularly whenever I was under heavy / heated exertion , but also when first getting up in the morning . I even started to wake up during the day to find that I had fallen upon my face , without actually recalling the fall , or how long I had be laying there ? None of these resulted in much injury , but it was still rather unsettling . I was then led to seek The Lord's healing grace through an extended fast . This time the duration was 16 days of only mountain spring water in which was dissolved a little pinch of Vitamin C crystals . At the end of the fast , I felt much better , and after a couple or so days of eating simple foods , I put the renewed me to a test - I vigorously hiked about 6 miles and really "poured it on" , the last 1/2 mile , which was up a steep slope to a mountain top .

Well , I kept looking and feeling to see if those effects were manifesting ... but nothing of the sort could be brought on ; whereas usually such would have certainly brought it on .... Some time later , I met a lady in a restaurant who said she had similar symptoms , went to a Dr and was told she had a brain tumor ... then after dangerous and expensive surgery to remove it , she recovered and no longer has those symptoms .

Which was odd , because at the time I had entertained the idea that I might have had a brain tumor . At any rate the fasting effected a cure / relief which has lasted around twenty years ... yet , I have done an extended fast at least once since then , when my Mom died , for 21 days , about 12 years ago ... so maybe this is something I need to do at least every ten years for continued freedom from being stricken ? I don't use Doctors of take prescription drugs . I do seek The Lord for healing and use herbal / natural type remedies . There are however , many more reasons why I'm led to pray + fast , as stated in the OP of this thread .

Ultimately prayer and fasting shouldn't be all about us and our our own problems / struggles .

But if something is weighing you down , it's fitting to seek deliverance / relief through prayer and fasting , especially when other ( less drastic ) means / methods seem to fall short .

May The Lord Be Pleased to Be our Faithful Guide and Close Knit Friend through it all ! Amen !

........................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

[DYOLF]

Started fasting yesterday , (water + a little Vit. C with Cal. Mg. Zc. w/ copper + boron) .

Intend / expect fast to extend from 9/7 to 10/7 , approx. 30 days .

Takes around three days for most of the effects to begin .

Plan on posting here as things progress .

Seeking cleansing , healing , consecration , restoration + renewed inspiration for godly living , and improved human relations .

...For he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? <-----> 1st John 4:20

I have fasted for 30 days before but not the nights.Jesus went without food for long though

 

[wayfaring man]

I have fasted for 30 days before but not the nights.Jesus went without food for long though

Day fasting is almost my normal routine , for I usually skip breakfast and lunch to only eat a sizable supper ... but often I take a few supplements in the morning .

I find that this allows for a more fluid passage of time throughout the day , and once I get busy doing something , I don't like to stop till it's done , or at least reached a significant point of getting done .

Thanks for replying !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 8/9 ,

Well here's the answer to the little riddle in Post # 7 .

God is one , and we are under God . But the more we think of ourself ( as in I'm a 10 etc. ) the more we fail to acknowledge God's Greatness via being in competition for glory with him - this was Lucifer's downfall .

In this analogy , God is the numerator and we the denominator . So if we think we're hot stuff our relationship with God only measures 1/10 of it's potential , but if we are of the same humble mind and meek spirit even as Christ , then we are 1/1 which equals 1 , or being one with God .

Today went fairly well , only a few lightheaded moments . Find it's good to garden when fasting , even if it's only container , or window sill gardening , cause watching some living thing grow offsets the occasional sense of wasting away .

Estimate I've lost around 10 lbs. , but the rate of weight loss should diminish as the days accumulate ( partly because one tends to become less active + partly because the body adapts to more of an idling state ).

Sense of smell has intensified . Don't really feel any hunger . But do feel a little weakened physically , and seem to need to take frequent breaks when exerting myself .

Sleep is a little restless , except in early morning , once the day dawns , there's a sense of relief and relaxation , which the darkness and the night do not provide .


It's kinda warm , which is a good thing , because it's a lot easier to feel chilled when going without food .

Two days from now is the observance of The Day of Atonement , considered the most holy of days in Jewish religion .

I'm glad to be fasting now , started just before Jewish New Year , which is meant to call everyone to seek resolution , which culminates 10 days later on The day of Atonement .

With the theme of repent and be forgiven by God .

Always liked the idea , that one can have another chance at life , even though they messed up badly .

Guess people who don't think they've messed up might not feel this is a necessary / good thing .

Which is likely how the tables get turned . As when Jesus rejected most of the "pious" ones , and focused mainly on the common folk ( sinners who knew they were sinners ).

Well that's all for today .

Hope The Lord is smiling upon your happenings !

Peace & Love in Christ ,

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 9/10 ,

Worked today on a project ( rainwater collection ) for about 3-4 hours , felt almost normal .

Also , three unusual things have manifested .

1. I've been smelling something that resembled something burning with sort of a machine shop machine odor , and realized to day that the smell is coming from my body ( even though I shower frequently ).

2. I often walk out to get the mail , and on sunny days the driveway and street are heated up to the point where I can feel it burning my feet if I stay on them for long , but today , it was sunny and kinda hot , but my feet only felt that the surfaces were barely warm .

3. Lately every time I go outside there's a handful of mosquitos which promptly land on exposed skin and attempt to begin sucking blood , but today most all of them bounced off me like I was wearing repellent , but I was not .

 

[razeontherock]

This last thing you're experiencing is your body detoxifying. It's even possible that toxins are flushing to the surface to such an extent that the bugs know better!

Resuming to eating after fasting, this should REALLY make you think twice about what you put in your body. Mahatma Ghandi expressed great wisdom in breaking his fasts w/ a lone, small glass of orange juice.

Be well!

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all [things] under his feet"

Yup, that starts with us. GO FOR IT!!

Rev 12:1 "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet"

Are you there yet? Notice the similarity:

"[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"


Continuing on and getting a bit carried away, as He so often does:


Isa 58:7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it]."

... standing on the promises ... anybody else remember that great old hymn?

 

[razeontherock]

Response to raze ,

it seems odd to me that you could be - "In total and complete opposition" ,

The "above poster" I responded to in my first post in this thread WAS (past tense) post #3. What was (past tense) post #2 has been deleted, and that's who I responded to. His atheistic claims absolutely needed a "gauntlet of disagreement" thrown down, and apparently the mods agreed.

Sorry if my post (now #2) wasn't clear enough that you could tell I AM supportive of your fast; along w/ any effort any Christian makes towards Holiness, anywhere. Read in context, w/ the original post #2, I think it would've been abundantly clear. This is the first time I've checked back on the thread. Sorry for any confusion, glad to see you're sticking with it! (And at the same time, glad you're not a novice to fasting, going for 30 days the first go round.)

I want to point out some nutritional things you may not be aware of:

your metabolism is slowing down. This is largely hormonal, can have long-term undesirable effects, and can be counter-acted or at least offset by gingerly increasing activity, or at least not being sedentary. Generally speaking, 60% of weight loss will be muscle, not fat. We can NOT burn fat w/o enough growth hormone, which is largely produced while we sleep soundly for over 4 hours. IOW, you can very easily slump into preserving all fat, and losing only muscle and bone density.

Stretching will actually exert some influence in your favor, and that's as low-impact as it gets. (I also read Scripture while I stretch.) Very slight exertion, enough to get the heart pumping after stretching in the morning, will help all these factors all day long. (Activity so strenuous that it breaks down muscle tissue is the wrong thing to do, since you're not taking in any raw materials to rebuild with.)

I don't want to mess w/ your convictions, but there are 0 calorie natural supplements that can help w/ all this. The older we get, the more difference these things make.

 

[wayfaring man]

raze ,

I'm glad you were able to clarify about the deleted post , I wasn't aware of it , I think I used to see a notice of when and where a post had been deleted ? Maybe that was on another forum ? Seems like a good idea though .

Appreciate your support , but am not too keen on the " scary type warnings " .

If Peter would have resisted Jesus , before He undertook His 40 day fast , saying " Lord , think of how much of a toll this could have on your body " , Jesus likely would have rebuked him , alone the lines of when Peter tried to strongly urge Him not to surrender Himself to the cross . ( Matthew 16:23 + Mark 8:33 )

May The Lord Be Magnified - in life , and in death !

wm

P.S. Plan on breaking fast by eating aloe vera , and drinking herb tea .

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 11/12 ,

Been feeling a bit drained and afflicted ... which is to be expected . Weighed in at 140 , a loss of 14 lbs.

Fasting primarily dissolves fat , it will consume some muscle , but muscles can be built back up . There are testimonies of those who were frail and lean having unhealthy appetites , who after going on an extended fast , and began eating again , became stronger and noticeably better built than they were before !

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. <-----> Isaiah 58:8

Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. <-----> Psalm 103:5

There is something referred to as a longevity hormone , and it has been found at increased levels within those who've submitted themselves to extended fasting .

Also the body's ability to assimilate nutrition has been found to be much better after extended fasting .

But these are merely tokens of the real and lasting benefits which can and often do occur within our soul + spirit , regarding our ongoing walk with God and Christ .

I also do not recommend someone taking on an extended fast , who has not tried and tested their ability for doing shorter fasts ... but if The Lord leads someone to do so , far be it from me to disapprove or disagree .
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Never underestimate the role + function of prayer , praise , and thanksgiving .

Be honest , or be silent .

Be kind , or be absent .

Be forgiving , or be forgetful .

Keep seeking the good -

Those things which edify ,

And offer good instruction , hope , and consolation .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I hear the angels singing sweet four part harmonies

I feel the Spirit moving within my very being

I see the world around me and shudder to believe

That God can still behold us with loving sympathy .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 12/13 ,

Am growing a bit weary of the unpleasant acetone taste in my mouth . Do use an all natural , no alcohol , mouthwash before flossing + brushing ( yes still floss cause plaque can still grow , use unwaxed cause it takes plaque off better than waxed - it does sometimes get stuck though , and is getting hard to find - ordered 12 packets online )

After the bulk of the impurities has been purged , the acetone taste should subside ... but here only a little more than a third of the way through , it appears to have hit it's height .

Also thinking I need to be a little less active than in days past ... but time goes by faster when one is busy doing something - all part of the trial / experience .

Today I found a little fan in my collection of stuff , hadn't tried it before , needed an adapter , found one , and it ran ... but then noticed it didn't throw air well ... upon closer examination , realized it was spinning backwards . No wonder someone parted with it ... but took it apart and switched the wires on the motor ( unsolder + resolder ) and voila turns the right way . Is a little on the noisy side though .

This got me thinking if we aren't wired right we turn the wrong way and live spiritually inefficient lives . Sometimes we need our wires changed to the correct polarity . Which involves which side is the negative in relationship to the positive . So if we put the negative where the positive should be ( and vice versa ) we run the wrong way ( as in , instead of running to God , we [ try ] to run away ). And then this verse came to mind -

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! <-----> Isaiah 5:20

Seemed to fit well .

Thankyou Lord for being such a great Helper ! Amen .

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 14,

Almost half way . Think I may have neglected to mention that scraping one's tongue is helpful during fasting , a lot of impurities coat the upper surface of the tongue , I use a plastic spoon .

Weighed in again , now 135 , a loss of 19 lbs. ; feeling rather weak , afflicted , but sense the cleansing isn't complete... so pressing on with The Lord's help , still believing 30 days is the right amount of time for me at this point in my life .

One more thing about the mosquitos , there is a tiny variety which still seems not to mind sucking my blood , but the other regular / larger sized ones seem to not even land on me . Fortunately for me , the tiny ones are few in numbers , and hopefully getting fewer , as I've dispatched 3 or 4 as of late . Also emptying / changing standing water frequently helps keep their numbers down , keeping gutters free of clogs so that they can drain is another help .

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. <-----> Psalm 119:107

 

[wayfaring man]

Day 15/16 ,

Passed the halfway point. Still feel a bit lightheaded and tipsy at times , but haven't seen the hovering light in some time ( 7 or 8 days ).

At times this seems like one of the hardest things I've ever done , likely because I had little excess fat to begin with - yet have the sense that , as such , a deeper more extensive cleanse is possible .

Acetone taste seems to be gradually subsiding .

Nights are the most difficult . When I'm too fatigued and sore eyed to stay up and read or do little things , but not able to sleep , except for brief periods . Sleeping during daylight seems easier , and usually take a brief nap or two during the day . But at night even though I'm quite tired , it often takes an hour or more after laying down to fall asleep , and then it is only for a while before I awake again , and it's still night .

I think the sense of darkness surrounding is unsettling , while sensing light all about is comforting .

I do have much good expectation that this will be of much help , with lasting benefits , and that is largely why , I'm led to endure , and press forward .

May The Lord's Truth , Mercy , Grace , and Peace Prevail !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Days 17 + 18 ,

Been some rough going last two days . Nasty taste in mouth persists in spite of mouthwash , flossing , brushing , scraping tongue - have now taken to putting a teaspoon of baking soda with a little water in mouth and swishing it around for a few minutes before spitting it out ; this seemed to help a bit with the nasty taste , but also seemed to dry out my mouth , somewhat uncomfortably .

Energy level quite low , except at times , seem to get a refreshed sense . Down to 133 lbs. now , a loss of 21 lbs. Which may be the least I have weighed since 8th or 9th grade . About 10 years ago went for a 21 day fast , think I may have been about this light then ... yet with 13 days to go , I'll no doubt surpass that weight loss .

Don't remember my mouth tasting nearly as bad in past fasts , which suggests more bad stuff is being purged , for a lot of the impurities surface on the tongue , especially the top - which seems to correspond to what James wrote -

... The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. <-----> James 3:8

I realize he was referring mainly to the kind of poison which is conveyed though toxic speech - yet most spiritual things are represented in the physical in ways which depict their essence .

Below are a few words / sayings which have come to mind during this fast .
__________________________________________________________________________

If it wasn't for The Lord enabling me to do some good in my life , I surely could not endure this plight !
__________________________________________________________________________

I Am has called me

I Am has said

You are but the becoming

Which is better off than being dead

But herein lies the challenge

Which continues till the end

Just what is it that you are becoming

And with that -

Will I be coming to your defense ?
__________________________________________________________________________

If we can't find the time to live for God - then who or what are we dying for ?
__________________________________________________________________________

Knowledge which leads to arrogance , is ignorance at it's worst !
__________________________________________________________________________

A lot of the drawing closer to God , takes place when the fast ( time of affliction ) is over , after one experiences being cleansed and humbled thereby ; then grace is more abundant than before , and even the simplest things give much cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving with praise unto our Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ !

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. <-----> James 4:8-10


May The Lord Be Pleased to Continue Blessing !

wm