Has anyone attempted a 40 day fast?

[another_lost_guy]

I know we're not supposed to talk about fasting but I hope we can discuss it here without bragging. Have any of you attempted a 40 day fast? Did Jesus drink water during His 40 day fast or no? What happens when you complete the 40 day fast?

 

[PloverWing]

Important medical note: You need to drink water (or another liquid) to survive. Don't try to go 40 days without water.

If you're planning to go 40 days without food, I recommend checking with your physician to make sure it will be okay for you.

Depending on what you have in mind, there are lesser fasts that you can observe for long periods. For example, the Orthodox abstain from meat, eggs, and dairy during Lent. This is sustainable for a multi-week period without risking health.

What is your goal for this time of fasting? Are you looking to withdraw from everyday chores and pleasures so you can concentrate more fully on prayer? Something else?

 

[timewerx]

I loosely remember reading an article of someone fasting even longer than 40 days but drank water though. An obese man and the fasting literally cured him of obesity and other health issues.

I don't know if I can survive a 40-day fast but for reference, I do cardio and strength exercises in hot and humid conditions 2 hrs a day. I sweat a lot and yet, I only needed to drink a total of 2.5 cups of liquids each day and my food is fairly dry like bread, small quantities of rice, and fish. This is far less than the daily recommended at my weight in hot and humid weather and adding exercise to it.

Ironically, if I drink the recommended volume of water, I get symptoms of over-hydration so I'm not depriving myself of water. My body simply can't accept as much water as most people could.

My body seems to source water from somewhere other than the ones I drink. Humidity from the air maybe through the skin or from respiration, I don't know. Because everything looks normal. My skin is well moisturized, no problems with urine. I have all signs of being well-hydrated even if I only drink 2.5 cups of liquids each day.

 

[timf]

The Irish prisoners starved to death around 40 days +.
You will die sooner without water.
The only thing I found useful about fasting is that it acts like a timer reminding yourself that you had intended to pray about something.

 

[Richard T]

The Irish prisoners starved to death around 40 days +.
You will die sooner without water.
The only thing I found useful about fasting is that it acts like a timer reminding yourself that you had intended to pray about something.

Mozambique pastor dies attempting 40-day Jesus fast Here is a sad story of a pastor dying without water because he tried to fast like Jesus.

I do know a pastor and some in his church that fast 21 days, and a few of them 40 of no food. I have heard a sermon from them on how to do this practically using a little bit of prune juice, and vitamin supplements. I think too that one does not start off on 40 days. I would try 3, then work it up a bit.

I personally like Kenneth Hagin's short book entitled"Commonsense Guide to fasting" https://gthinkers.org/spiritual_books/Kenneth E. Hagin A common sense guide to fasting..pdf.pdf
Basically, he talks of biblical examples in fasting and how very few are called beyond 3 days at a time. If that were to occur then the Holy Spirit would lead just as they did Jesus.

 

[NBB]

I think this is not needed.
imo, the benefits of fasting can be achieved, also with water, and a bit of food.
Also i don't have the discipline required to go even 3 days.

 

[JAM2b]

The thing about Jesus fasting for 40 days is that He is the Son God. I can imagine that He was uncomfortable and wanting food, but being who he is, He can survive things human bodies aren't capable of surviving.

Even on the cross, He didn't die until He gave up His spirit.

 

[Isaac the Recluse]

I think it important to note, both Luke and Matthew tell us that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and according to Luke this was in order to be tempted by the devil (my interpretation: fasting was incidental to the temptation).

I would not attempt to recreate such a fast unless I was very clear that the Holy Spirit was leading me to it, that I was not being deceived by the enemy, and that pride was not inflating my self-importance.

Just my two cents.

 

[Lukaris]

Daniel the prophet fasted but still ate ( see Daniel 1:1-21 verses 8 & 12 in particular). Even this though is pretty rigorous and individual health concerns must be taken into account.

Daniel ate “pulse”

What are Pulses? - Pulses

Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Pulses grow in pods and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognizes 11 types of pulses: dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon peas...

pulses.org

Daniel ate healthy things but almost all of us need more. In Orthodoxy, our fasting practices are vegan but even there individuals must take their health into account in line with needs like in proteins and calcium etc.

 

[Chesterton]

A Romanian priest in my city told me that he and some members of his congregation do complete fasts for 40 days during Lent - no food at all, water and coffee only. He said it's a great experience.