fasting?

Hi. Yesterday I fell back into a sin that I have been trying to overcome. I was so overwhelmed with guilt, etc. that while I was praying I felt like I needed to do something to show God how sorry I was. I know that it says in the bible that God doesn't want a sacrifice He only wants us to come to Him with our words of repentence. I told him that I would fast today, only eating the things I needed since I'm pregnant. But today God spoke to me and showed me how to overcome my sin. I decided not to fast because I am not sure if he even wants me to. But now I'm nervous because I know that in the bible it says absolutely not to vow anything to God and not do it. Do you think I'll be punished or that He is angry with me? This might be an odd post, but I was just wondering what all of your thoughts on fasting were. I know some denominations practice it, but I am a baptist and don't normally.

God already paid the price for all your sin. You don't need to go on a fast to find his forgiveness. Repent and get over it.

The primary idea behind fasting is to "seek" God. I would advise you not to fast while being pregnant as this can affect the baby.
Fasting is like praying... and the 2 goes hand in hand.
Jesus said "when you fast & pray" not "if you fast"
Fasting is a good biblical practise.. And I've been blessed many times by fasting and seeking God in this practise.

Educate yourself! Try finding some good thing on how fasting works. And how to practise it ect.
But in basics anything up to a 3 day fast cannot really harm you unless you are sick/pregnant/baby/very old or something like that.
Drink lots of water while fasting. Never ever go without water for more than 3 days.. this will harm your body. You can fast up to 40 days by only drinking water.. but the major rule is to not fast more than 3 days unless you feel led by the spirit. So a 1 day fast every now and then can only be good for you.

Once again: Praying and fasting goes hand in hand... when you fast take the time you would've spend that day to eat (more or less an hour) and spend it with God..
God says that when we draw near to him he will draw near to us.. and he is already longing to draw near to us!

I have recently been blessed with the experience of fasting. It was something I did not premeditate, it just sorta happened. During this time of fasting, I noticed a significant increase in the amount of time I was priveleged to spend with God in prayer and in "normal everday talking" with Him. I'm sure everyone at work thought I was going crazy, walking around "talkiing to myself"......hehe. Doesn't matter though, let them think what they will! I felt a closeness with Him that I've never experienced before, even though I'm quite new to christian living, only eight months into my new life!

It all came about because I was having a particular stressful problem. I started to worry about this problem for a bit and had a loss of appetite. Then I realized to give this burden over to God, completely. I felt much better after this realization and the stress diminished, but for some reason, I felt compelled to abstain from eating for a while. I noticed the longer I went, the closer I seemed to feel to God. Is this normal when fasting??

One Son of Many said:

for some reason, I felt compelled to abstain from eating for a while. I noticed the longer I went, the closer I seemed to feel to God.

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I am more used to a fasting report in a somber tone. But you seem to have enjoyed the fasting. Your message is very encouraging. Is your joyful fasting experience kind of a call from the Lord to fasting (to you and to us as well?) Am I jumping to conclusion too fast? Please share your thought on this.

One Son of Many said:

I have recently been blessed with the experience of fasting. It was something I did not premeditate, it just sorta happened. During this time of fasting, I noticed a significant increase in the amount of time I was priveleged to spend with God in prayer and in "normal everday talking" with Him. I'm sure everyone at work thought I was going crazy, walking around "talkiing to myself"......hehe. Doesn't matter though, let them think what they will! I felt a closeness with Him that I've never experienced before, even though I'm quite new to christian living, only eight months into my new life!

It all came about because I was having a particular stressful problem. I started to worry about this problem for a bit and had a loss of appetite. Then I realized to give this burden over to God, completely. I felt much better after this realization and the stress diminished, but for some reason, I felt compelled to abstain from eating for a while. I noticed the longer I went, the closer I seemed to feel to God. Is this normal when fasting??

Click to expand...

Yes! Its normal!!!

I remember when I first began closer to God.. I didnt even know anything about fasting.. I had heard about it once.. from another belief as to how you around sometimes of the year... you have to go all day for a month without eating til dark! I thought to myself.. why we do something that?...

Then one day without even knowing what fasting was.. I was so very upset..and confused and sick... That I wanted to something that would only keep my focus on God..

Well I stopped eating.. the whole time I was at work that day.. and somehow.. I felt closeness I never felt before.. Like God was feeding me from heaven.. I didnt feel hungry at all.. I felt happy.. and calm.. and all my problems seems to just work out..

Then I joined this place.. and found out that people do this all the time.. I first thought it could only be done.. on some holiday.. but wow.. I could not believe that.. What I was doing otehrs have done to!!

Fasting really really helps!!!

here's a really good website on how to fast properly and healthily

It is a good thing to do, especially when you feel called to do so but please make sure you are doing it right and in a healthy manner and taking care of your body.

GO HERE: http://www.billbright.com/howtofast/

iktca said:

I am more used to a fasting report in a somber tone. But you seem to have enjoyed the fasting. Your message is very encouraging. Is your joyful fasting experience kind of a call from the Lord to fasting (to you and to us as well?) Am I jumping to conclusion too fast? Please share your thought on this.

Click to expand...

Now that you mention it, it did seem a joyful experience! I never really realized it until you mentioned it as such! I think it was a call to do it. I never made a conscious decision to fast, it just sort of happened. Does that make sense? I still don't fully understand WHY I did it. I feel that God guided me into it.

As Ameri stated above, the hunger wasn't there, almost nonexistent (sp?) It also seemed as if my senses were heightened. It seemed that the colors of the trees and grass seemed brighter, the birds songs were clearer, and the smell of the wet earth outside was stronger. It was as if God's ever-presence was constantly noticeable. I wonder if all these things are also things that come about through fasting? Ameri, did you experience any sensory heightened awareness??

I thought someone might want to share his/her fasting experience.

On the OP. Fasting should not be done as a self-imposed penance, but rather as a spiritual conditioning and to help one clear the mind in order to pray.