fasting

[bound2him]

I have never tried... what are other's experiences?
why do yu fast?
how do you fast?
when do you fast?

also i tend to get dizzy a lot and have low iron... but if there are reasons i need to fast, i'd like to still be able to...

 

[cleaveun2him]

Fasting traditionally is obstaining from food...either certain types of food...example abstaining from red meat on Fridays during Lent...Fasting can be for any length of time and are usually used as a dedication to the Lord. I believe that fasting can also consist of abstaining from activities or habits...many will give up cigarretes or alcohol during a time of fasting. I believe that any action that is taken up to honor God is honored by him/or her.

Personally, I have always fasted totally for 24 hours on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Every Lenten season I abstain from something...last year I gave up reading any books other than the Bible or other religious works. This year I plan on doing a Daniel fast....Fruits and vegetables only...actually I am going to allow one serving from the milk group daily so that I don't get too low on protein.

 

[bound2him]

thats really cool, i've been hearing a lot lately about fasting for questions or answers to prayer... or spritual warfare... i just dont get it... doesnt seem to be clear instructions on it in the bible

 

[faerieevaH]

Fasting is, as cleaveun2him stated above abstaining from food. This can be done by abstaining from all food (which is medically not really recommended for extensive periods of time) or abstaining from certain types of food.

For me, mostly, fasting is about denying myself some things. In the period of Lent (40 days before Easter in which I prepare for Easter) it has become a tradition for me to abstain from certain things. Mostly things that I like: chocolate, crisps, cookies, soft drinks, and alcohol (though I rarely drink that any way).

Why do I do it? For me... as a little reminder. Every time I want to reach for some chocolate and 'have' to say no to myself, I remind myself of my faith and the strength it gives me in things that are big and in things that are so small as stopping myself from taking a piece of chocolate. I also remind myself of those who have less then I have. And what I can do to help them, instead of just indulging myself. I thank God then, for his strength, and for what he already has given me. I offer the fasting up to God so to speak, so it is not just a moral lesson or a matter of conscience, but also a matter of faith and gratitude.

Don't get me wrong when I spoke earlier about indulgence: indulgence is not always wrong. As long as you don't always indulge. And often a bit of selfdenial in materialistic things is very good for you. Especially since it reminds you of all the things that are non essential, and that you can do without.

 

[cleaveun2him]

Well, there are many mentions of fasting in the Bible, both the old and the new testament. Fasting in both the old and new testaments were used to help dedicate a person to the things of God, or in cases like Daniel, who I mentioned before, to separate himself and his friends from compromise with a heathen culture.

 

[Athanasian Creed]

Fasting is also good for cleaning the toxins out of the body - you must drink LOTS of water/non-sugared juice, not caffiene drinks. I try to do a 3 days fast every 3 months - i have problems with headaches and recall hearing a Christian doctor say that fasting helps in such cases. Since doing the fasts, i've noticed a difference - both in the occurences/severity.


Also, spiritually speaking, fasting is a lost discipline for alot of Christians - Jesus did it and so did alot of the great men of God ! Prayer and fasting is a great weapon we can use against the enemy - it shows God how serious we are when we go so far as to deprive ourselves of something we need to live for a time. It also helps us gain mastery over our bodies and the desires of the flesh.


Ray

 

[Jill]

Fasting is a "prayer stimulator". If you don't combine it with prayer, its just a diet.

 

[bound2him]

Fasting is a "prayer stimulator". If you don't combine it with prayer, its just a diet.

thats why i asked, i want to know the "how to" of fasting... ya know? there is alot i found in the bible about fasting, but not really anything on how they did it?

 

[Jill]

thats why i asked, i want to know the "how to" of fasting... ya know? there is alot i found in the bible about fasting, but not really anything on how they did it?

I parsonally can't fast sucessfully without preparing my body for that. I usually have one week mainly on fruits, salads, vegetable soups, lots of liquid (no coffee, no beer, wine ...), no sugar. During that week I gradually reduce the food, and I think this is also a kind of fasting (example Daniel). If I feel I am ready for more restrictions, I continue with 1 week (or less) on liquid only - tea, juices, not only water. Total restriction from everything except water doesn't work good for me.

 

[Sling of David]

It's mentioned in the Bible many times. I've fasted dozens of times over the years ... everything from 24-hour fasts, on up to 10-days as my longest. I originally got into fasting years ago to improve my health (it gave me more energy). I fast exclusively on unsweetened fruit juice, vegetable juice, and various teas. Fasting will definitely get you closer to God, as it seems to clear your mind (you feel less burdened by earthly matters).

 

[bound2him]

It's mentioned in the Bible many times. I've fasted dozens of times over the years ... everything from 24-hour fasts, on up to 10-days as my longest. I originally got into fasting years ago to improve my health (it gave me more energy). I fast exclusively on unsweetened fruit juice, vegetable juice, and various teas. Fasting will definitely get you closer to God, as it seems to clear your mind (you feel less burdened by earthly matters).

You mean you live off juice for 10 days???

 

[Sling of David]

You mean you live off juice for 10 days???

Oh yes! It's not as bad as you think really. I got myself used to fasting by starting off with various short ones of one, two and three days each.

Your body becomes accustomed to going without food. Actually, it can be sort of a high in some ways. You feel so light! It actually gives me more energy.

I even continue to exercise while fasting. You may not believe this, but I once ran a 10K race on the fifth day of a fast.

 

[bound2him]

Oh yes! It's not as bad as you think really. I got myself used to fasting by starting off with various short ones of one, two and three days each.

Your body becomes accustomed to going without food. Actually, it can be sort of a high in some ways. You feel so light! It actually gives me more energy.

I even continue to exercise while fasting. You may not believe this, but I once ran a 10K race on the fifth day of a fast.

My goodness, thats amazing!

 

[Nico]

I'm feeling that I may attempt a fast. I've been doing a lot of bad things to my body as of late and I'm not proud of how I've been handling myself. I think to do a fast (I think I can only handle 2 days right now) will help to purify me and get me back on track and re-orient myself into a non self-indulgent attitude (one of my bad attributes). I'm planning on starting tomorrow, Wed. but do it only for Wed. and Thurs. If you like, you are welcome to join me and we can give each other support as well....

 

[Ioustinos]

I believe that fasting is an act of worship unto God. You are denying yourself in order to use that time to know Him more and trust Him for your strength.


Just because you fast doesn't mean that your prayers will be answered or that some miraculous event will take place. I recently finished a 40 day fast during which time I only drank water and juices. So far the only benefit I have gained, spiritually, was that I was able to refocus myself on what is most important in life: Jesus Christ.

I have some links to websites about spiritual fasting that migth answer some of your questions. If you would like them just let me know.


God Bless

Jesaiah

 

[bound2him]

I'm feeling that I may attempt a fast. I've been doing a lot of bad things to my body as of late and I'm not proud of how I've been handling myself. I think to do a fast (I think I can only handle 2 days right now) will help to purify me and get me back on track and re-orient myself into a non self-indulgent attitude (one of my bad attributes). I'm planning on starting tomorrow, Wed. but do it only for Wed. and Thurs. If you like, you are welcome to join me and we can give each other support as well....

I'd love to, but I want to get more information on how to do it right... my health isnt the best and I am prone to fainting

 

[bound2him]

I believe that fasting is an act of worship unto God. You are denying yourself in order to use that time to know Him more and trust Him for your strength.


Just because you fast doesn't mean that your prayers will be answered or that some miraculous event will take place. I recently finished a 40 day fast during which time I only drank water and juices. So far the only benefit I have gained, spiritually, was that I was able to refocus myself on what is most important in life: Jesus Christ.

I have some links to websites about spiritual fasting that migth answer some of your questions. If you would like them just let me know.


God Bless

Jesaiah

No food for 40 days! WOW

Yes, could you please post the sites, I'd love to see them

 

[Oblio]

Fasting is done both as an aid to prayer as noted above, and as a method of Spiritual training. As we learn to control our food and sensual passions, we learn to control those other passions that do defile us before God. St. John Chrysostom (4th c AD) spaks of this in a short sermon on fasting:

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.
Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?
May HE who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us

The Orthodox Church has been practicing fasting from the day that Christ commanded us to fast until this present day. Details on the practice, what and when can be found on this article concerning Fasting & Fast-Free Seasons of the Church

 

[Ioustinos]

No food for 40 days! WOW

Yes, could you please post the sites, I'd love to see them

Hi Bound2Him!

I think this will be the most beneficial right now:


http://www.billbright.com/7steps/


God Bless

Jesaiah

 

[Sling of David]

Just wanted to mention that the first day of each fast is usually the toughest. We train our bodies all our lives to eat three meals (or more) per day, and now you are suddenly telling it to stop.

Get past that first day, and the rest seems fairly simple. Around the 3rd day or so, you often lose your appetite. Food may no longer appear attractive, and some of it may even seem repulsive. It's through this process that I weaned myself away from junk food, and got on a health kick.