How to go about fasting?

[preston08]

I need to learn about fasting. I haven't read about it yet in the Bible... and I am wondering how you do it?

What are the guidelines?


Also... why do you fast?

I would like to try it.

Thank you!

 

[G4m]

I need to learn about fasting. I haven't read about it yet in the Bible... and I am wondering how you do it?

What are the guidelines?


Also... why do you fast?

I would like to try it.

Thank you!

Isaiah 58
3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

 

[Oblio]

Unlike most other Christian confessions, the Orthodox Church has continued to practice fasting throughout its 2000 year history. You can find the basics of how we fast here

Fasting & Fast-Free Seasons of the Church


Also, feel free to ask more detailed questions here or over at our Orthodox Forum @ CF

 

[ydouxist]

Isaiah 58
3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

You took the words right out of my mouth.


If you're going to fast read Isaiah 58

Some people do Daniel fasts ie..no meat
I don't do that. I just don't eat.
One time I told the Lord I would fast for 4 days.
He gave me my answer in 2. Then He asked me, "Why are you still fasting?"
Because I said I would for 2 more days. "Your fast was to hear from me right?" Yes. Didn't I give you your answer? Yes.
Then why are you still fasting?

God is awesome.

 

[preston08]

I think I might do a little Christmas fasting

Maybe from the 26th - 28th, just to drop the 5lbs gained for Christmas feasting hehe

But is there specific guidelines, maybe ones htat you might suggest.

I would like to know if you can drink milk, or water while fasting...

I guess the only guideline for fasting is that you cannot eat?

I thought there might be a set amount of time to fast for, but I guess you go as long as God wants.

 

[Oblio]

But is there specific guidelines, maybe ones htat you might suggest.

I would like to know if you can drink milk, or water while fasting...

I guess the only guideline for fasting is that you cannot eat?

In general, Christian fasting is the practice of ommiting certain foods and reducing the quantity of those that we do eat. An easy rule to follow is to abstain from all meats (except shellfish and fish without backbones), dairy, eggs, olive oil and alcohol (or products containing these). Idealy you also increase prayer and almsgiving and spend extra vigil against sin. If you are married, you also abstain from marital relations while fasting. A good time to practice this is on Wednesdays and Fridays. Wednesday in remebrance of the betrayal of our Lord, and Friday His Crucifixion.

If you are interested in special fasting periods in addition to Wed/Fri (i.e. before Christmas/Easter) there is a simple Fasting Calendar online.

 

[Hands&Feet]

If we first learn, accept, and live by the fasting mandates of Isaiah 58, then we have prepared ourselves to follow the kind of fasting Oblio speaks of. Without understanding the purposes put forth by Gid in Is.58, we will miss the benefits of the physical fast.

 

[Oblio]

Very good point H&F

[c]St. John Chrysostom on Fasting [/c]

• 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

 

[ydouxist]

Very good point H&F

[c]St. John Chrysostom on Fasting [/c]

• 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

 

[jbarcher]

Excuse me...I think this has already been posted, but remember to fast for the right reasons.

I think it was in the NT, where Jesus was talking about religious people who fasted so that other people could see that they were fasting. So for the right reasons, keep your heart pure!

 

[Oblio]

Fasting should be done without bringing attention to oneself. Nor is fasting to earn favor with God, but to strengthen and tone our spiritual muscles. By learning to say no to the desires of the palate, we learn to say no to the other passions as well. Those of lust, greed, anger, pride. We learn to say no to the evil one who tempts us and wants to destroy us, and yes to God who saves us.