Fasting

[Born2Serve06]

There was a guy in my class who did a paper on fasting and it really got me thinking. I have fasted for a day from food on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday when I was Catholic. I also have fasted from things over lent. But I never guess with a meaning or a purpose.

I would love to hear some of your fasting stories if you don't mind sharing them. Like how did you get through your first fast? Did you feel closer to God? How did you feel after you were done fasting? What helped you most when fasting?

 

[GeorgeWW]

I have been fasting over the last 12 years.
I would say that my fasting experiences have been educational. Half related to physical education and half related to spiritual education.
I listen to how my body responds to changes in food intake. Some times I barely notice that I have not eaten for 24 hours. Other times, it seems all I can think about is when I get to eat again.
Spiritually, I have had some exceptionally close times with God while I am fasting. Other times, I meet with God and we relate, business as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary.
What helped me the most? 1. Knowing that I had fasted before and how my body would respond. 2. Knowing that other people have fasted for long periods of time. 3. Knowing that fasting is a spiritual discipline and has benefit for my spiritual growth. 4. Knowing that fasting has proven physical benefits. There are dozens of web sites that explain fasting from a strictly physical standpoint.

 

[ByWayofLight]

Fasting is really a Christian discipline. The Jews do it regularly and Jesus did as well. So as believers in Christ we should fast. It is mentioned many times in the bible.

How did you get through your first fast? The first time was the hardest. I was hard to find any material at the time on fasting, more how to do one safely. Best thing is to slowdown your eating before the fast and then after slowly begin eating small portions.

Did you feel closer to God? Absolutely without a doubt I was closer. The longer the fast the closer I got.

How did you feel after you were done fasting? Once over the physical aspects of less food in my tummy. I felt more healthy and full of energy.

What helped you most when fasting? Putting my focus on him rather than my stomach.