Fasting

[AndOne]

I realize there is a subforum here at CF on this but I was curious to know what my fellow Calvinists think of fasting. Have any of you done it? What was it like? What was your scriptural basis for doing it - and if you don't mind being too personal - why did you do it?

Also - how did you do it?

 

[mlqurgw]

I tried fasting several years ago while still in my legalistic days. I fasted for three days. I did it trying to get more spiritual. All I got was hungry. Of course my reason for fasting was wrong and that is probably why I didn't get anything out of it. I have no problem with folks fasting as long as they do so without telling anyone that they are doing it. Matt. 6:16-18 Now I consider myself in a sort of forced fast when the Bible is a closed Book to me and I can't pray. Those times seem to make me thirst and hunger for the Spirit more.

 

[LiturgyInDMinor]

I believe fasting is a very reverantial(sp?) thing to do but forced as a rule of a church is not correct.

Possible scriptural basis:


Matthew 6:16-18 16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."


There are tons of OT verses regarding fasting....and this NT verse seems more like instruction and advice than actually mandating the fast.

Thanks for listening.

 

[A New Dawn]

In the past, growing up, on Sundays that communion was served, we'd fast breakfast to spend time discussing religious/spiritual matters. Aside from that, I have never fasted.

 

[student ad x]

I realize there is a subforum here at CF on this but I was curious to know what my fellow Calvinists think of fasting. Have any of you done it?

Yes

What was your scriptural basis for doing it

And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." Matthew 9:15 NAS

"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. "Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed, And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD? "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke? "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry, And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday.
"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:4-11 NAS

- and if you don't mind being too personal - why did you do it?

I do it to discipline my body and mind, to concentrate on prayer and the things of God more intently.

Also - how did you do it?

For a prolonged fast, I give up red meat.... hamburger, steak, ham etc. and eat fish or something for dinner on the Lord's day.

humbly,
Cam

 

[AndOne]

Yes And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." Matthew 9:15 NAS

"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. "Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed, And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD? "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke? "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry, And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday.
"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:4-11 NAS
I do it to discipline my body and mind, to concentrate on prayer and the things of God more intently.

For a prolonged fast, I give up red meat.... hamburger, steak, ham etc. and eat fish or something for dinner on the Lord's day.

humbly,
Cam

Thanks Cam -

Your reply was most helpful - particularly the quote from Isaiah.

My family has been under some spiritual attack and I have started fasting in response to it. Along with prayer of course. I'm not sure where it is going to lead - or what exactly what its supposed to do for me - but one thing is certain - I have been drawn closer to Jesus it seems the more I do it...

Doing it in secret is hard - nobody can understand why some nights I don't eat.... They think I'm sick but I assure everyone I'm okay... As much as I love to eat I doubt anyone would believe me if I told them I was fasting anyway...

 

[student ad x]

Thanks Cam -

Your reply was most helpful - particularly the quote from Isaiah.

My family has been under some spiritual attack and I have started fasting in response to it. Along with prayer of course. I'm not sure where it is going to lead - or what exactly what its supposed to do for me - but one thing is certain - I have been drawn closer to Jesus it seems the more I do it...

Brother, just be receptive to the Lord and His will ........ and with your family situation test all things. You will be more focused on the things of God after a God honoring fast IMO. I'll keep your situation in prayer.

Doing it in secret is hard - nobody can understand why some nights I don't eat.... They think I'm sick but I assure everyone I'm okay... As much as I love to eat I doubt anyone would believe me if I told them I was fasting anyway...

Some folk aren't going to understand, thinking that a fast proceeds from a flesh standpoint, some form of legalism or you are ill. I just say it is a personal time between me and the Lord.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

I realize there is a subforum here at CF on this but I was curious to know what my fellow Calvinists think of fasting. Have any of you done it? What was it like? What was your scriptural basis for doing it - and if you don't mind being too personal - why did you do it?

Also - how did you do it?

We just had a day of prayer and fasting at our church. It was voluntary. I have diabetes so rather than withhold food, I did not use my computer/tv for the day. I spent several portions of the day praying for different things, ie - things for myself, my family, my church, our community/city, nation, leaders,etc. Not necessarily in that order! My pastor wrote some things to prepare us and also a guide to help us focus on the specific day of fasting but it is on a website that is only open to our church membership. I will email him and see if I can post the info publically.

CC&E

 

[calmcoolandelected]

OK, it's on the website! Scroll down to look for it.

Christ the King Presbyterian Church: Raleigh, NC > Psalms of Ascents

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I have fasted many times as part of calling upon the name of God for very particular reasons.

I set aside a day of fasting and prayer. The only one who is I inform of fast is my wife. I try to not let anyone else know about the fast.

Kenith

 

[GQ Chris]

I fasted consistently with prayer 4 years ago and I need to get back to doing it. It made me very sensitive as far as Spiritual matters. I need to really get back to doing it.