Fasting

[occaeco]

What is the purpose of fasting? When should we fast? what should we fast for? It's not something I have heard much about and I have been wondering about it. How should one go about fasting?

I've never fasted before (at least fro spiritual reasons ) I have a lot of uncertainty about the future and I'm thinking of going on a fast to search out God's will for my life and which direction to take. Is this a suitable reason to fast?

All feedback welcome.

 

[MrPolo]

What is the purpose of fasting? When should we fast? what should we fast for? It's not something I have heard much about and I have been wondering about it. How should one go about fasting?

You can fast in any way you like. It's basically giving up some temporal good for the benefit of the body of Christ. Like not watching TV for a night or some such. Often people skip a meal or more as a fast. It helps the soul detach from the temporary things of this world.

How does skipping a meal help the body of Christ? Because it is a "suffering" of sorts, and we are called to participate in the suffering of Christ, which of course has salvific quality. Enduring suffering is a triumph. And as Scripture says, when one member rejoices, the whole body rejoices. So, mystically and mysteriously, the body of Christ is healthier because of your fast. In a way it is a prayer. It is saying, God, I give up X as my petition for your will to be done.

 

[GarrickBrewer]

Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, it is so you can sacrifice to show your devotion to God. I myself am fasting this whole week to show that I have the devotion to serve God.

 

[David64]

What is the purpose of fasting? When should we fast? what should we fast for? It's not something I have heard much about and I have been wondering about it. How should one go about fasting?

I've never fasted before (at least fro spiritual reasons ) I have a lot of uncertainty about the future and I'm thinking of going on a fast to search out God's will for my life and which direction to take. Is this a suitable reason to fast?

All feedback welcome.

For the purpose of spiritual fasting the Bible calls a fast no food and no drink for at least 24 hours.
The purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God and to bend your will to His.

 

[occaeco]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[MKJ]

Fasting is like exercise. It is a way in which we learn self-control and practice saying no to things, in order to help us do the same for more serious reasons.

Fasting is a bit like a kind of retreat in a barren land. In the normal course of a day, we are so busy and so many things happen, we don't even see where the devil is tempting us. Were we a bit gluttonous at dinner? Did we look on that person with lust? We we greedy a bit in a business transaction? Often by the time we have asked the question, it is done, or we don't think of it at all.

When we fast we take as many of these distractions out as possible, and come out of the jungle of our everyday life into the barren land. We refrain from rich foods, from distracting leisure activities, from sex, parties, etc, and devote ourselves to prayer. It suddenly becomes very clear where we are being tempted, and we can face those temptations directly.

You can learn a lot from this, but it can also be scary and even dangerous.

I'd suggest that to start fasting the best thing would be to begin with something small, maybe fasting meals one day a week plus some extra devotion to prayer that day, and give whatever $ you save on the food to charity. (So, you could have just one plain meal in the day, or give up all animal products, in accordance always with any health issues.) Have a plan, be regular, and don't attempt anything too hard.

But ideally you should do this under direction of an experienced pastor or priest.

 

[JRSut1000]

Fasting isn't about US or to prove to God anything or to show people how holy we are.

Fasting IS seen as this in the Scriptures:
1) Repentance (as seen mostly in the NT)
2) Preparation for ministry (yes the 40 days Jesus did fast before being sent out, but also Jesus told the disciples that they couldnt cast out demons because it is through much prayer and fasting)

 

[Jpark]

1. Humility.
2. Health.
3. Happiness in sorrow.