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Fasting...what are your thoughts on it? Why do you do it? Anyone ever do a 40 day fast and if so how was it like and what was the hardest part about it?
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Fasting...
- Thread starter AlabamaMan
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I have not personally done a 40 day fast - but I know of 2 people who have.
As for fasting in general - it's not only beneficial to each of us as a person - for somethings it is a requirement.
As for fasting in general - it's not only beneficial to each of us as a person - for somethings it is a requirement.
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churchlady
De Oppresso Liber
BamaYouthPastor said:
Fasting is powerful for getting rid of doubt and unbelief, and bringing the flesh into submission to the spirit.
Mainly I fast with Isa. 58 in mind............to break yokes and strongholds, etc.
I've not done a 40 day fast, nor would I unless God specifically told me to. You must come off those very gradually or they can be dangerous.
I consider fasting a very important spiritual tool, and part of my regular walk with the Lord. Long term partial fasts seem to work as good as short term total water fasts, for me, but I would like to hear what others experience in this is.
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churchlady
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BamaYouthPastor said:
After awhile on such a fast, your digestion shuts down somewhat. From what I have read and heard, you need to take one day for every day you fasted, to come off of it, (so 40 days to come off of it). Start with broth, light soups, gradually adding as the stomach gets use to digesting food again, and your intestines get in gear again, also.
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The thing is - if God is in the fast - you won't loose weight your digestion will not shut down - there will be no adverse effect to you at all.churchlady said:
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churchlady
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Br. Max said:
The key as always, is to following closely the leading of the Holy Spirit. (both during and after). He knows our body and He knows our level of faith.
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Questioning Christian
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I used to fast a lot [one day per week]. I built up to two days at a time, then three, and then finally, there was the straw that broke the camel's back - it was a seven-day fast.
I have not fasted in over ten years since that seven-day fast.
I was far into the culture of fasting. We did all these studies at our church, we consulted medical advice. We did whatever. We taught and prayed about fasting.
I still believe fasting is Biblical. However, when I did that seven-day fast, it took something out of me. I could not fast any more since that time. I just cannot do it. You can't live like that all the time.
You get this high from fasting and you think it is the end-all be-all of spiritual living.
It's like a high-powered performance vehicle. You certainly CAN run it at 160 miles an hour, but you DON'T run it and run it and run it at that top speed.
I have tried to fast since then, and I cannot get my concentration.
There is such a thing as too much fasting.
I have not fasted in over ten years since that seven-day fast.
I was far into the culture of fasting. We did all these studies at our church, we consulted medical advice. We did whatever. We taught and prayed about fasting.
I still believe fasting is Biblical. However, when I did that seven-day fast, it took something out of me. I could not fast any more since that time. I just cannot do it. You can't live like that all the time.
You get this high from fasting and you think it is the end-all be-all of spiritual living.
It's like a high-powered performance vehicle. You certainly CAN run it at 160 miles an hour, but you DON'T run it and run it and run it at that top speed.
I have tried to fast since then, and I cannot get my concentration.
There is such a thing as too much fasting.
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riverpastor
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Bama Man,
I fast sporadically...
I used to fast more often than I do now.
I did a 38 day fast before.
I can tell you that there was such a spiritual hunger in me at the time, that I felt more provoked to fast instead of being "called" into it. IOW, the calling to fast from the Lord was so strong, that I felt I couldn't help but do it.
Why did I stop at 38 days?
People began to glory in my fasting. There is such a humility that comes on an extended fast. And the two just don't mix.
I came off graduallly, but not THAT slow. During the fast, I did drink Gatorade and clear liquids. Juices and fruits and broths for a few days, then Chicken and Dumplin's from momma's kitchen!!! They were the best Chicken & Dumplin's I ever had!
I fast sporadically...
I used to fast more often than I do now.
I did a 38 day fast before.
I can tell you that there was such a spiritual hunger in me at the time, that I felt more provoked to fast instead of being "called" into it. IOW, the calling to fast from the Lord was so strong, that I felt I couldn't help but do it.
Why did I stop at 38 days?
People began to glory in my fasting. There is such a humility that comes on an extended fast. And the two just don't mix.
I came off graduallly, but not THAT slow. During the fast, I did drink Gatorade and clear liquids. Juices and fruits and broths for a few days, then Chicken and Dumplin's from momma's kitchen!!! They were the best Chicken & Dumplin's I ever had!
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Peaceful Dove
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I have been fasting in prayer for about 50 years. It is part of my tradition and prayer life.
I have never been called to fast for 40 days.
I have known a few folks who have chose to, but never completed the fast.
Those who tried were tempted in their weak areas and could not overcome. I do not know if they grew spiritually or not.
It is good to remember that after Jesus was Baptised, the Holy Spirit DROVE him out into the desert for 40 days. DROVE him out. He was tempted and when He overcame, HIS ministry began.
These 40 days were intense, and prophesied. They were the work of the Messiah. This was the move of the Holy Spirit on our Lord.
During Lent, we are asked to make sacrifices. This is 40 days, remembering what Jesus did. Our sacrifice may be a certain fast but also may be taking on something extra that edifies us. Maybe more time in prayer, scripture or even work with the needy. We do believe God blesses us in works. Didn't He say to care for the widows and orphans?
40 days of Lent is perfect for this.
Lent is not just for Catholics, you know, it is for the Body of Christ.
More and more non-Catholic fellowships are adopting the Stations of the Cross. We are approached every year in ways that astound us.
I have never been called to fast for 40 days.
I have known a few folks who have chose to, but never completed the fast.
Those who tried were tempted in their weak areas and could not overcome. I do not know if they grew spiritually or not.
It is good to remember that after Jesus was Baptised, the Holy Spirit DROVE him out into the desert for 40 days. DROVE him out. He was tempted and when He overcame, HIS ministry began.
These 40 days were intense, and prophesied. They were the work of the Messiah. This was the move of the Holy Spirit on our Lord.
During Lent, we are asked to make sacrifices. This is 40 days, remembering what Jesus did. Our sacrifice may be a certain fast but also may be taking on something extra that edifies us. Maybe more time in prayer, scripture or even work with the needy. We do believe God blesses us in works. Didn't He say to care for the widows and orphans?
40 days of Lent is perfect for this.
Lent is not just for Catholics, you know, it is for the Body of Christ.
More and more non-Catholic fellowships are adopting the Stations of the Cross. We are approached every year in ways that astound us.
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I can understand feeling "burned out" on fasting. But here is the thing - that's when I know it's doing what it's supposed to 
. I do several regular fasts. I fast on Wednesdays from all solid food until dinner and during lent and advent we have specific fasts that we follow. These fasts are a part of my religious observances and I can tell you honestly - when it was ME calling the shots, fasting was easy. I also did a 7 day fast. Did it before I took my vows. BUT, now that I have committed myself to the care of others, and I am more or less committed to keeping fasts not of my own design, it's HARD!! The only day I wake up and want breakfast is on Wednesdays! The only time of the year I crave candy is during lent and advent when by the fast I am not permitted sweets . . . . AH temptation. The rewards are the greater after.
. I do several regular fasts. I fast on Wednesdays from all solid food until dinner and during lent and advent we have specific fasts that we follow. These fasts are a part of my religious observances and I can tell you honestly - when it was ME calling the shots, fasting was easy. I also did a 7 day fast. Did it before I took my vows. BUT, now that I have committed myself to the care of others, and I am more or less committed to keeping fasts not of my own design, it's HARD!! The only day I wake up and want breakfast is on Wednesdays! The only time of the year I crave candy is during lent and advent when by the fast I am not permitted sweets . . . . AH temptation. The rewards are the greater after.
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oneshot012
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I never fasted for more than 11 days at a time but I did do 2 months of 3 days a week fasting Mondays Wenesdays and Fridays and that was really intense. Though a 40 day fast is one of the most intense in fact one of our churches apostalic advicsors knowns of someone after a 40 day fast who died from going to like McDonalds or some fast food restaurant and he order like some burger and died. That was so not cool. Doing a long fast takes real consideration. We need to understand first Jews of Jesus' time understood fasting and how to start a fast and go off a fast. So we need to take things like that into consideration. I am sure there is some literature out there on that if anyone is interested. Just thought I would add my two cents.
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I have never fasted although I have thought about it many times. As I pray and study about fasting on my own I may find that I feel a strong desire to do it. As of right now I don't totally understand the spiritual benifits of it.
I plan to do an in depth study on fasting here soon but for now would someone like to perhaps give me a short outline of why one should fast? It doesn't have to be in depth.
I plan to do an in depth study on fasting here soon but for now would someone like to perhaps give me a short outline of why one should fast? It doesn't have to be in depth.
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riverpastor
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Jim, on the extended fast that I did, I lost like 45 lbs.
Others might have fasted and not lost... but I know all the pork dropped off me!!!
Does anyone remember who it was that had a fasting schedule...
one day per week
one week per month
one month per year????
I want to say it was George Mueller??? But not certain...
Others might have fasted and not lost... but I know all the pork dropped off me!!!
Does anyone remember who it was that had a fasting schedule...
one day per week
one week per month
one month per year????
I want to say it was George Mueller??? But not certain...
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Br. Max said:
I know for a fact that I ruined the lining of my stomach and esophagus with my fasts. I know for a fact that I also stripped my system from digestive enzymes. I know for a fact that I got pancreatitis from my fasting and ended up with a host of different things. I didn't lose weight, your right about that. It was absorbed into the tissue because there were not any nutrients. God was there in the fast but there was a price to pay. I became mental and irrational from dehydration as well too.
I know God was in the fast. I know some things that happened as a result of it too. I know some people and things I prayed for that I told no one but God and I know God honored my fast but I also had a physical consequence.
There is always an element of "maybe I took it too far." Or maybe I "wasn't in God as far as others were concerened and God" but as far as I was concerned I would not have stopped fasting because I was seeing results. It was only after collapsing and landing in the hospital and getting read the riot act by my christian doctor that I realized that sometimes fasting is not the smartest thing to do with food items for me because my experience has taught me there is a price that had to be paid.
Love,
NewSong
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George Mueller 2
One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller?s funeral the last one was saved.
Our Daily Bread, January 13
http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1094
One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller?s funeral the last one was saved.
Our Daily Bread, January 13
http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1094
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