Fasting: Should I Fast?

[mysaviour360]

I want to fast, but I'm not sure that I could do it. I am always hungry, and there is always food in my kitchen. I think the temptation would be too great for me. Also, when I fast, can I drink water or something? Can you please help me?

 

[ChildOfGod20]

fasting is not all about giving up food. you could fast watching tv or talking on the phone or whatever it is that takes up most of your time so that you can use that time to spend with God. If you want to do a food fast I would suggest cutting out one thing for this first fast (maybe sweets). then for the next fast you could go to no sweets or meat, then the next fast you could to to nothing but fruits and vegetables and things that come from plants. this way you don't send your body into shock and you learn how to not give into temptation a little bit at a time.

 

[Graceful]

I want to fast, but I'm not sure that I could do it. I am always hungry, and there is always food in my kitchen. I think the temptation would be too great for me. Also, when I fast, can I drink water or something? Can you please help me?

You can fast by not watching TV or by giving up sweets. Many fast on bread and water. It is all about giving up something for the love of Jesus .

To fast you do not have to starve.

 

[Ivy]

Sometimes I've done a fast by not eating all day and then having just fruit in the evening.

It's really hard if you have to be in the kitchen, though.

Should I tell a silly-sounding fast I went on once?.....okay, I will I fasted from worrying--everytime I'd have a fearful or worried thought, I'd sing "What a Mighty God We Serve" either silently in my head or out loud (sometimes *real loud). ;-) That was fun.

 

[revivalgurl]

sounds kewl sounds like something i could sugest to a couple of my freinds ivy ehehehe
revivalgurl

 

[Ivy]

sounds kewl sounds like something i could sugest to a couple of my freinds ivy ehehehe
revivalgurl

Just don't sing "On Top of Spaghetti all covered with Cheese" real loud--a silly American song, for those who aren't familiar--or you'll be thinking of food--stick to a good worship song.

 

[BelieverOfOne]

I know exactly what your going through! thats what I'm having trouble with to and I live in San Antonio,Texas! plently of good mexican food,so tempting but your will to please God and help cleans you soul is more important so if your really meaning to do this you have to give it all got and don't hold back,I need to do the same but I'm wanting to help you more so when you do it you can tell us how good it felt and that we can do it as well ok,water is the perfect thing to drink but maybe you should also concider having a communion,I think that will help you go longer,don't worry you can do it!

I want to fast, but I'm not sure that I could do it. I am always hungry, and there is always food in my kitchen. I think the temptation would be too great for me. Also, when I fast, can I drink water or something? Can you please help me?

 

[handmaiden97]

the Temptaion is hard!! I think set a small goal, like give up certain foods for a few days....I am a meat and potatoes woman the hardest fast I did was a daniel fast, my diet was mainly fruit and vegetables!!! Then build up to a no food fast....but of course drink water, juice to if you must. the main reason of a fast is to septerate yourself unto God....there in no point in fastign if you have no time to pray. And have hope after 2-4 days of not eating food you quit being hungary...then the only (and yet real) challenge is learnig to differntiate between hunger and craving....

set attainable goals for yourself, God is pleased with you.....wether you fast or not

 

[RomanPrincess]

Fasting and praying.......drink alot of water and eat nothing all day and at night have a time when the fasting will be over like 11 or 12pm.Drinking alot of water will help fill you up.Put your focus on God the whole time and keep on praying.

 

[pugby]

I think fasting is a very important part of our Christian walks. Yes, it is hard. Yes, there will be temptations. Yes, we will want to eat and crave food. Yes, you will notice every time food is in the conversations of your day to day life. But fasting is a good discipline to learn, it helps with other disciplines we face in our life and if we are strong enough to resist the temptations and seek God more, He will reward us for it.

 

[Ivy]

Doing a fast today--think of me.

I'm part of a Messianic cong. and on the Yom Kippur fast, many people don't drink water, either. (It's only a 24 hour fast.) In some respects it's easier because you don't feel as hungry, but I always found I didn't feel good for a few days after an absolute fast, felt sluggish, bound up etc. This year I went back to just a little water and felt much better after the fast....though I was hungrier during it.

I love fasting when I'm doing it, but hate the thought of it when I'm not! My mind usually feels much more clear during a fast, which helps with focus in prayer.

Also, when I've been having trouble with being short-tempered, after the fast is over, I seem to have control over that again.

 

[pugby]

I tend to have more trouble in the day or two before the fast then once I actually start fasting.

 

[Ivy]

I tend to have more trouble in the day or two before the fast then once I actually start fasting.

Trouble? Like dread of the approaching fast?

I made a little mistake this time, I had a large bowl of sweet potato soup late the night before, and I was terribly hungry all day yesterday. But I feel so much better mentally during a fast, I can't explain it.

Anybody who drinks caffeine--I learned this the hard way--it's a good idea to gradually withdraw from it a few days approaching the fast, or you get one wicked headache on fast day, at least that's what happened to me.

 

[melandshanetria]

Posted by a member of my ministry...

it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended. The only Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant Living
Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).

 

[Alenci]

I love food, unfortunately... I think I could physically abstain from eating for a day or so, but I'm afraid that I would be thinking about food all day long and it would keep my mind away from God. That's not the point of a fast! How do you keep your focus on praying and worshipping?

 

[HisJavajunkie]

the Temptaion is hard!! I think set a small goal, like give up certain foods for a few days....I am a meat and potatoes woman the hardest fast I did was a daniel fast, my diet was mainly fruit and vegetables!!! Then build up to a no food fast....but of course drink water, juice to if you must. the main reason of a fast is to septerate yourself unto God....there in no point in fastign if you have no time to pray. And have hope after 2-4 days of not eating food you quit being hungary...then the only (and yet real) challenge is learnig to differntiate between hunger and craving....

set attainable goals for yourself, God is pleased with you.....wether you fast or not

I would like to know about this statement here. For those of you who know me and you can figure it out from my name, Java/coffee is my largest weakness. Well, that and Pepsi runs a close second. I was wondering if my fasting from both of those and 'focusing on God' would be an actual fast. I am just not sure on the fast issue and would like clarification there. I know that in the past I have done this but I want to make sure it is within His will.

 

[wonder111]

this is like the first time i've ever fasted. but i didn't plan it. it was really weird, a few days ago I woke up and I couldn't eat and I thought, just not hungry, but there was a part of me that felt like i had to have some serious prayer time alone. and i'm not trying, but i have been fasting ever since, and the prayers have been super intense, like i've never experienced before. and i have such clarity in my thinking.....and not to mention my health, it's only been about 4 days, but i really feel like i am supposed to be doing this for some reason....i never felt it was right for me before...interesting but i feel better than ever! both physically and spiritually.

 

[HisJavajunkie]

this is like the first time i've ever fasted. but i didn't plan it. it was really weird, a few days ago I woke up and I couldn't eat and I thought, just not hungry, but there was a part of me that felt like i had to have some serious prayer time alone. and i'm not trying, but i have been fasting ever since, and the prayers have been super intense, like i've never experienced before. and i have such clarity in my thinking.....and not to mention my health, it's only been about 4 days, but i really feel like i am supposed to be doing this for some reason....i never felt it was right for me before...interesting but i feel better than ever! both physically and spiritually.

Wonder: thanks for sharing your input on this. That does help me out. I will continue to pray before I go to that but do appreciate any feedback. I am also thankful for the way that it has helped you to grow spiritually and physically. God Bless You Richly.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I love food, unfortunately... I think I could physically abstain from eating for a day or so, but I'm afraid that I would be thinking about food all day long and it would keep my mind away from God. That's not the point of a fast! How do you keep your focus on praying and worshipping?

Did I miss the answer to this? It is also my question--My Mind seems untamable?

 

[mythrainbow]

I've fasted before and don't see the point, I know it is supposed to get you closer to Jesus, but I think I'm missing something. One reason I think because it's easy for me, maybe i'm fasting the wrong thing. but I'm just not sure.