How to find privacy and time for full-time fasting and praying for several days?

[TruthSeek3r]

Just a very simple and practical question: I want to have a personal encounter with God, which you can read more about in my other thread. Therefore, I want to set aside several days, say 3 or 4, for full-time fasting (only water allowed), praying, reading the Bible, reading Christian books and material that I find edifying, and basically just doing that without distractions, alone, with no one else to interfere, nothing else to think, just full-time seeking God for 3 or 4 days (at least). So here is the problem: to do that I need two ingredients: 1) privacy and 2) time. If I have time, but I don't have privacy, then I will feel uncomfortable and incapable of seeking God with someone else knowing about it and being around and potentially being a distraction. On the other hand, if I have privacy, but I don't have time (due to deadlines and responsibilities around the corner), then I can't use my privacy to seek God full-time because I have to spend the time getting stuff done. Therefore I need the two.

I've promised God that as soon as these two conditions are met, I will shut myself up in my room to seek Him full-time for 3 or 4 days if possible.

So basically I need tips to get these two conditions met as soon as possible.

By the way, probably telling a little bit about my context might be helpful:

1. About privacy: I'm sharing home with someone else who usually leaves from time to time, but right now we are in the midst of a sanitary quarantine which I don't know how long will take to end.
2. About time: I'm studying a PhD, so even though I'm home due to the quarantine and have the flexibility to work from home, I'm still usually busy with stuff, having weekly meetings with my PhD supervisors, deadlines, stuff to do, etc.
3. Also: I'm doing this seeking completely in secret. Nobody has the slightest clue that I'm trying to do this (with the exception of you internet people, of course)

Any advice is deeply appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[crossnote]

Matthew 25:34-40 KJV
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Matthew 25:34-40 KJV
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Thanks @crossnote for the verses. But how does that answer my question?

 

[crossnote]

Thanks @crossnote for the verses. But how does that answer my question?

You said you wanted to have ‘a personal encounter with God’.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

You said you wanted to have ‘a personal encounter with God’.

That's correct. But how are the two ideas connected? Please can you elaborate a bit more?

 

[Richard T]

Some have a different take on what it means to fast in secret so you might look at that scripture for more revelation. It probably means you are not using the fast as a way to draw attention to yourself. So there might be some leeway there. Also, I have noticed that others around do not always know when you are fasting. I'm not hungry now, closing the door, gong to the park and other things will work so you can fast in peace sometimes. Time is another issue. I have a terminal degree so I understand some of what you are going through. Maybe you can work ahead enough that you can afford the 3-4 days? I will say though that you are almost assuredly wrong about having both conditions met before you fast. Your going to have to press into the fast more. The violent take the kingdom of God by force and you may have to force the issue if you really want to do it. In my studies the biggest regret was that I neglected God during that time of my life. Yes, I went to church for the most part, and read the bible and prayed on occasion, but in looking back, I was too lukewarm. I suppose you could compromise, with maybe a two day fast, which could then be followed up with another depending on what God puts on your heart? Hope this helps. I am curious as to what your Ph.D. is going to be in.

 

[zippy2006]

Just a very simple and practical question...

The safest option would be a retreat center. Second would be a hotel. Least safe would be to go camping.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

I will say though that you are almost assuredly wrong about having both conditions met before you fast. Your going to have to press into the fast more. The violent take the kingdom of God by force and you may have to force the issue if you really want to do it.

Let me explain again why I still think I need the two conditions, because there is a reason I forgot to mention. If I'm not alone, this means I'll be with somebody else. If I don't eat anything at all for 48/72/96 hours straight, actually even for just 24 hours straight, that person is going to ask me "hey, what's up? why aren't you eating anything?", "hey, why aren't you coming for breakfast/lunch/etc.?". This situation will force me to give an explanation. Here is the issue. I already said in the OP that no one has the slightest clue that I'm seeking God, this is being done completely in secret. So if I fast with someone else around who will most certainly ask me for an explanation, I will have three options: 1) either lie about it, which would be a sin and I don't want to do that; 2) keep awkwardly quiet the whole time ignoring the person; or 3) confess the real motives, that I'm doing it because I'm trying to seek a personal encounter with God, which would probably make me look like a fool in front of the person, it will probably lead to a lot of philosophical debating, arguments and counter-arguments, and I'll feel embarrassingly observed throughout the whole fast. So that's why I need to have privacy, to be alone. However, even if I manage to be alone, I still need to be free from close deadlines and stuff to do. So that's why I believe the two conditions are necessary.

I suppose you could compromise, with maybe a two day fast, which could then be followed up with another depending on what God puts on your heart?

You are probably right. Multiple two day fasts spread over time sounds much more manageable and fittable into my schedule than a single 4 day fast, for example. I'll very likely end up doing that. Thanks for the idea

I am curious as to what your Ph.D. is going to be in.

Computer Science

 

[crossnote]

You said you wanted to have ‘a personal encounter with God’.

That's correct. But how are the two ideas connected? Please can you elaborate a bit more?

I thought it was quite evident...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Maybe I should ask, just what do you mean by ‘a personal encounter with God’?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

I thought it was quite evident...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Oh, so if I'm interpreting you correctly, you are saying that I should go outside to perform good deeds, and by doing those good deeds I will be indirectly having a personal encounter with God? Say, if I go outside and give food to the poor, in my mind I should be saying "nice, I'm having a personal encounter with God by giving free food to the poor" ?

Maybe I should ask, just what do you mean by ‘a personal encounter with God’?

That's a really good question. I don't want to put God in a box and establish a "mandatory" set of criteria about what can and cannot be considered a personal encounter. My best attempt to define it would be some sort of undeniable supernatural experience in which God personally reveals himself to you, as a result of which your life changes forever. One good example is the encounter of the apostle Paul with Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus, that's the best example I can think of actually, although by no means I'm saying that all personal encounters have to be like that.

 

[bèlla]

Intermittent fasting is very popular. You can admit you're fasting and leave it at that. Your roommate doesn't need to know the reasons or anything else.

I stumbled on an old bookmark you may find useful. It provides a template for a half and full day at-home retreat. You can tweak it for your purposes. Elmer Towns has a helpful book on fasting. I've used it in the past.

Good luck!

~Bella

 

[crossnote]

Oh, so if I'm interpreting you correctly, you are saying that I should go outside to perform good deeds, and by doing those good deeds I will be indirectly having a personal encounter with God? Say, if I go outside and give food to the poor, in my mind I should be saying "nice, I'm having a personal encounter with God by giving free food to the poor" ?

If you read the passage clearly, they didn't even realize they were doing good deeds.

That's a really good question. I don't want to put God in a box and establish a "mandatory" set of criteria about what can and cannot be considered a personal encounter. My best attempt to define it would be some sort of undeniable supernatural experience in which God personally reveals himself to you, as a result of which your life changes forever. One good example is the encounter of the apostle Paul with Jesus Christ in his way to Damascus, that's the best example I can think of actually, although by no means I'm saying that all personal encounters have to be like that.

Yes, but Paul wasn't seeking out that experience. It was a matter of God apprehending Paul in due time and revealing Himself to Paul.
The danger is seeking these experiences with preconceived notions of how to go about doing it. Even in the Old Testament, often God showed up 'unexpectedly', 'unannounced'. We also run the danger of being visited by a deceiving spirit, as Church history is littered with such...(start of many false cults).
Keep seeking Him in His Word through the illumination of His Spirit (even with fastings). He may deem fit to offer you an 'encounter' and/or at the very least/most you will have one on that Great Day.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Keep seeking Him in His Word through the illumination of His Spirit (even with fastings). He may deem fit to offer you an 'encounter' and/or at the very least/most you will have one on that Great Day.

But what about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? I think it meets my "broad definition" of personal encounter, because 1) it's an experience, 2) it's supernatural, 3) it's undeniable, 4) it comes from God and 5) it changes your life forever, right?

 

[crossnote]

But what about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? I think it meets my "broad definition" of personal encounter, because 1) it's an experience, 2) it's supernatural, 3) it's undeniable, 4) it comes from God and 5) it changes your life forever, right?

So is the new birth (all those things), but I assumed you were born again. Am I correct?
Actually, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (if different from the new birth, and I believe it is,) is for power to be witnesses. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and I had never before heard the phrase. I had been in jail about 10 days, reading, seeking and praying. The Lord hit me like a thud, it seemed like a membrane in front of me opened up and His Spirit flooded upon me leaving me full of joy and a fullness of peace I had never experienced in my life before. A few days later I had a vision which I won't go into here.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

So is the new birth (all those things), but I assumed you were born again. Am I correct?

I'm so obsessed with finding God that I believe so.

Actually, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (if different from the new birth, and I believe it is,) is for power to be witnesses. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and I had never before heard the phrase. I had been in jail about 10 days, reading, seeking and praying. The Lord hit me like a thud, it seemed like a membrane in front of me opened up and His Spirit flooded upon me leaving me full of joy and a fullness of peace I had never experienced in my life before. A few days later I had a vision which I won't go into here.

Awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing it here . I also believe it's a second experience, it's undeniably clear from studying the book of Acts, and I know lots of testimonies corroborating that that's the case. What's your take on praying and fasting for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

 

[crossnote]

What's your take on praying and fasting for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Seems each person's experience is different and doesn't fit in a formula...like 'fast two meals a day, and read 12 chapters from your Bible'. I just don't believe it works that way.
Like I said, even though I was praying and reading Scripture, I wasn't seeking any gifts at the time but only Jesus (the Giver of gifts).

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Seems each person's experience is different and doesn't fit in a formula...like 'fast two meals a day, and read 12 chapters from your Bible'. I just don't believe it works that way.
Like I said, even though I was praying and reading Scripture, I wasn't seeking any gifts at the time but only Jesus (the Giver of gifts).

But don't you think that there should be some general recommendations or guidelines for someone who hasn't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit yet and wants to receive it? Would you agree that praying and fasting are probably part of those recommendations?

 

[crossnote]

But don't you think that there should be some general recommendations or guidelines for someone who hasn't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit yet and wants to receive it? Would you agree that praying and fasting are probably part of those recommendations?

Perhaps, but like I said, seek earnestly the Giver not the gifts, do it as you are led by the Spirit.

 

[splish- splash]

The safest option would be a retreat center. Second would be a hotel. Least safe would be to go camping.

Yeah, i was actually thinking of a christian retreat center myself. Where he can go for walks in the the woods and the like. Its worth trying, as he might even end up enjoying, connecting with God, through nature.