Fasting

[Christy4Christ]

Good morning everyone,

I was thinking about the fact that I have never fasted! I haven't been a very faithful person over the years. This year I would like to fast at the appropriate times and I am wondering if everyone could share a little about fasting.

When is the time when fasting is right? Are there special prayers involved? I just need the basic guidelines. Any fasting info you guys can give me would be great!

 

[Benedicta00]

Good morning everyone,

I was thinking about the fact that I have never fasted! I haven't been a very faithful person over the years. This year I would like to fast at the appropriate times and I am wondering if everyone could share a little about fasting.

When is the time when fasting is right? Are there special prayers involved? I just need the basic guidelines. Any fasting info you guys can give me would be great!

The appointed days of fasting is Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and if you want to can fast on every Friday during lent and during ordinary time if you wish.

Some advice, if you never fasted before do not try to go with out food for all day long. Just fast small first and build up to a more server fast. Try giving up something that you are used to having like coffee or just skip one meal or cut out snaking. If you try to go with out any food and the next day you binge it kind of will defeat the purpose, the point is sacrifice not going hungry. Fast from something that truly will be a sacrifice for you to have to fast from.

 

[Christy4Christ]

Would abstaining from having a cigarette the whole 24 hours be considered a good sacrifice for a smoker? I mean to not smoke for 24 hours and NOT gripe about it would be the hardest thing in the world for me to do! Would that count?

 

[Benedicta00]

Would abstaining from having a cigarette the whole 24 hours be considered a good sacrifice for a smoker? I mean to not smoke for 24 hours and NOT gripe about it would be the hardest thing in the world for me to do! Would that count?

Well… that would be a good thing to give up for all of lent if not for all time, that is for sure but to fast is different. You should try to fast from some food or drink you usually would enjoy if you can not go a day on a serious fast, this would be a good start.

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

Would abstaining from having a cigarette the whole 24 hours be considered a good sacrifice for a smoker? I mean to not smoke for 24 hours and NOT gripe about it would be the hardest thing in the world for me to do! Would that count?

Was wandering the same thing.. (about cigarettes)

I fast... on certain foods sometimes.. especially... when Im despressed or confused.. I feel so good after doing it... It gets me closer to Jesus..

Try fasting a certain food.. for a certain amount of time.. Thats how I started out..

One time.. while I was at work.. I fasted.. didnt eat the whole time I was there.. It helped me get focused... on other things..

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Technically for a day of fast (Ash Wed. and Good Friday)- you are allowed one regular meal and two smaller meals that together would not equal one meal- and no food in between meals. So a sample day of fasting might look like:
Breakfast: half a bagel w/ cream cheese
Lunch: salad w/ some tuna fish (small helping)
Dinner: Cheese Lasagna

And whatever to drink.

As a practical pointer- increase your protein, as it lasts longer and keeps you from getting tired . This could be accomplished simply by drinking milk in between meals.

Another pointer is that you will be under attack all day - fasting is so advantageous that the Evil One will try to make you not do it. Once you make it through that first day- it will be easier, as you know it can be done. As always, I recommend agreeing to something ahead of time- either write it or verbally communicate it to someone who will keep you accountable- I would suggest putting a note of what you've decided on on the fridge maybe with a Holy Card(Divine Mercy comes to mind) or something to remind you of the point of all this.

AS you get practice- you could fast on just bread and water, or on one meal and bread for the other meals. I wouldn't suggest jumping right in there, though.

The faithful are still strongly encouraged to fast on all days of Lent - except Sundays (you can eat meat still, though, except on Fridays and Ash Wednesday). I'm going to try to do that this year- with the two samll meals and one regular meal, I think with prayer that is manageable for me.

GOd Bless!
Shannon

 

[mhillson]

One time.. while I was at work.. I fasted.. didnt eat the whole time I was there.. It helped me get focused... on other things..

i'd second all the above advice to start slowly and not jump in all at once....especially, per the quote, if you work full time (though that wasn't quite the point of the quoted section). if you're going to drop smoking and fast, don't start both at the same time.....i did that once and was crawling the walls by noon....

m

 

[Christy4Christ]

One thing that freaks me out is that I am not supposed to let ANYONE know I am suffering, I am supposed to maintain a smile and look calm and peaceful. How am I gonna do that if I am starving to death? LOL

 

[Christy4Christ]

Well I guess I have to remember that I am not really starving to death. Maybe I should keep pictures of hungry children on my frige!

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

And also if you look at it as a kid, from the perspective of spiritual childhood-- it is exciting to have a secret! If you think of how you're going to surprise your Daddy!! That's how I try to look at it to keep from being glum!

Although I must say the pictures of starving children might be a welcome addition to our dinner table - where my son must nearly be scourged to get him to eat anything that isn't totally agreeable!

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

i'd second all the above advice to start slowly and not jump in all at once....especially, per the quote, if you work full time (though that wasn't quite the point of the quoted section). if you're going to drop smoking and fast, don't start both at the same time.....i did that once and was crawling the walls by noon....

m

Lol! I agree.. with you completely..

At the time when I did fast the whole time at work.. I felt I needed to do that.. I was lost.. very upset... I wanted to be with Jesus.. I came into work.. afaid of everyone.. for some reason.. very depressed.. but when I did that.. I felt so much better.. Like I trusted Jesus to feed me.. through me soul.. from heaven..

Christy4Christ: One thing that freaks me out is that I am not supposed to let ANYONE know I am suffering, I am supposed to maintain a smile and look calm and peaceful. How am I gonna do that if I am starving to death? LOL

Don't think of it that way.. I know its hard to.. not.. Just think of Jesus.. is feeding you.. Thats what i do.. Trust him.. Dont starve yourself.. just start out.. with a certain little food you usually eat..

Remember everyone is different.. we can all handle different things.. We all start out small..

Believe me it is better not to tell anyone.. I dont simply because.. Its between me and God.. Im doing it for him.. he understands and I believe in him.. to keep me full.. of love and all he has.. so I dont feel like Im starving..

Some people just wouldn't understand..

If during fasting.. If you decide to take time away from food..and you really dont think you can make it.. you can pray.. praying always makes me stronger..


Like many have said here.. just start out small..

What do you like alot.. that you eat almost everyday???

 

[Photini]

Peanut butter is a good fasting food. My kids like our Lenten "peanut butter burritos."
And spaghetti, but leave the meat and cheese out of the sauce.

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

Peanut butter is a good fasting food. My kids like our Lenten "peanut butter burritos."
And spaghetti, but leave the meat and cheese out of the sauce.

Peanut buter burritos.. wow... never thought of that...

I work at a fast food restaraunt.. Where... I eat french fries with honey mustard... or if its breakfast I just eat cheese on the bun.. always wanted to try honey mustard on the sandwich.. for some reason I have been addicted to honey mustard... with everything..

I use to hate mustard.... now I LOVE it..

I love pickles.. too.. but havent had one in awhile... I think Illl buy some tonight..

 

[Photini]

I use to hate mustard.... now I LOVE it..

LoL! Same here.

 

[faerieevaH]

I wonder... does the Catholic Church in the US also supports/spreads the 'fasting calendar' as it does here? I've found it a wonderful tool during lent.

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

LoL! Same here.

I wander what honey mustard and pickles taste like together..

Im making myself hungry..

 

[ps139]

Christy here is another thread on fasting that you might find helpful:
http://www.christianforums.com/t86513

 

[ps139]

I wander what honey mustard and pickles taste like together..

They taste great together!!!! I love both!!

Im making myself hungry..

\
You are making me hungry too!!

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

They taste great together!!!! I love both!!

\
You are making me hungry too!!

Really!! I cant wait to try it..

Can't get to the store yet.. till my sister comes home..lol.. but I had some of those new Chicken nuggets from McDonalds..

I WANT A PICKLE!!!

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

One thing that freaks me out is that I am not supposed to let ANYONE know I am suffering, I am supposed to maintain a smile and look calm and peaceful. How am I gonna do that if I am starving to death? LOL

Do not worry about this part. What we're suppose to avoid allowing pride to enter the fast and protray our suffering as badge of holyness. There is nothing wrong with seeking spirtual help from others or explaining to someone who asks why you not eating much. Just don't try to look as bad as you can and go up to every one and show off your fasting.