One day fasting: When do I break a fast?

[starrycc]

My question is what is considered a one-day fast - is it 24 hours or 36?

If I skip all meals in one day that would be 36 - from 8pm the previous day after dinner to 8am the next day's breakfast. Otherwise a 24 hour fast would mean having an early dinner say before 6pm and fasting till 6pm the next day and having a later dinner, which would mean only missing two main meals breakfast and lunch.
I.e. when do I break my fast?

I thought it would be OK to have a little drink of milk before bed instead of water because I'll need to get back into the usual routine gradually and a few calories might help.

In other words I've broken my water-and-communion-only fast tonight with a little millk but continue fasting from usual meals and snacks till around 8am tomorrow.
It's not much of a fast, I know, but it at least gets me serious about praying and appreciating some of the discomfort many other Christians have to endure every day or often.

Two feasts today anyway, feasting on what God has done for me in communion service, feasting on the word and prayer and trying to take it in despite my tiredness, rumbling stomach and brain that went through a few phases of not being able to think straight.

Even one day without meals is enough to show us how dependent on food we are for our brain to function properly as well as for the energy we need to work, walk and stand up!
I'm certainly not fasting on work days, it's too many calories burnt up over 2,500 needed - no good fasting then! Even giving up chocolate is difficult and not very sensible when having to work hard and walk/cycle up hills and carry heavy loads! I know there are energy bars without chocolate, but sometimes I haven't any of those in and turn to the chocolate instead.

I don't think anyone whould fast when they have hard physical work to do, but be sensible and take time out when fasting. There is the possibility to do partial fasts (no meat/no caffeine or chocolate/ no large meals/ no snacks between meals) which could be good for cleansing the system, or just delaying eating till we feel really really hungry.

 

[ByWayofLight]

My question is what is considered a one-day fast - is it 24 hours or 36?

I always used the Sabbath to gauge a one day fast. It is from Sundown Friday till Sundown on Saturday. So in summer it is longer than in winter.

 

[starrycc]

Thanks.
I had breakfast this morning around 36-37 hours since my last proper meal, but afterwards was rather sick as my stomach couldn't cope with the acid in the apple, I think. Perhaps I should have just had bread and biscuits for breakfast!
OK I should have broken the fast after 8pm last night , but I didn't feel like cooking a meal then after church I just wanted to pray and go online into these forums!

Now I see why it's better to fast on a Saturday than a Sunday - if it makes me feel ill the next morning and less efficient at work!

 

[GeorgeWW]

I have done 24 hours and 36 hours.
I don't think it matters as long as it works for you.
I have also fasted on days when I have had heavy work to do.
I moved a little bit slower, but no real disability.
If you train yourself, you would be surprised how long you can go on just tea and water. I have gone multiple days.
Especially if you have a little extra around the middle you can live off of, like I do!

 

[starrycc]

Thanks for the reply, I'm more recovered now.
I'm afraid I don't have much 'extra around the middle to live off' and really suffer weariness and dizziness if I go without high energy snacks in between meals (perhaps I'm a sugar addict or chocaholic, I certainly have a fast metabolism and feel better having small meals and snacks throughout the day rather than 3 'proper' meals). The first 5-6 hours of the day without food was tough but I got over the hungry feeling by about 6 or 7pm. A rumbling tummy was a bit of a distraction through morning church and half the afternoon but by evening I felt good on the whole but started to get a slight pain in my stomach for a while.
I fasted a partial fast for 4 weeks, over 10 years ago but the two weeks afterwards lost so much weight when I went down with a fever and had hole in my teeth that made eating very difficult for a few weeks that I think I had a few days heardly eating when I was sick and what I ate went straight through me because it had to be really mushy. My mum was upset that I had been fasting and practically banned me from fasting. However I have done 2-3 one-day fasts since then but as a way to identify with suffering people in different parts of the world so I can appreciate better what life is like for them and pray better for them.
Generally I don't fast because I need the energy to work and think and I can't afford to lose more than 3-4 pounds of weight. But some issues I pray about are serious and I think from time to time it's a good way to get myself more seriously into praying.
The trouble is I have so many other things to do that finding time to get seriously praying without being distracted is difficult.
Some Christians in Asia have been imprisoned for meeting together, possessing Bibles or mentioning their faith to others - in terrible conditions given only a small bottle of water and no proper toilet.
And I'm sure many other Christians are in similar situations in countries where Christianity is in some way against the law. They need our prayers but we can't begin to imagine what they suffer if we live in the luxury and comfort and freedom we have and take so much for granted. This is why I fasted I wanted to pray for them better.
Will you pray for them too? Please God give them strength and courage to hang on and hearts that know you are close to them! Lord please help them to remain true to you and not to give up or deny you. Nothing can separate us from God's love!
PS thank you God for the provision and freedom we have! fasting helps us appreciate all these blessings so much more !

 

[monmon]

Some Christians in Asia have been imprisoned for meeting together, possessing Bibles or mentioning their faith to others - in terrible conditions given only a small bottle of water and no proper toilet.
And I'm sure many other Christians are in similar situations in countries where Christianity is in some way against the law. They need our prayers but we can't begin to imagine what they suffer if we live in the luxury and comfort and freedom we have and take so much for granted. This is why I fasted I wanted to pray for them better.
Will you pray for them too? Please God give them strength and courage to hang on and hearts that know you are close to them! Lord please help them to remain true to you and not to give up or deny you. Nothing can separate us from God's love!
PS thank you God for the provision and freedom we have! fasting helps us appreciate all these blessings so much more !

I've never fasted before. But after reading this, i understand why it is important. Thankyou for sharing your story!

 

[whatfor]

It's a personal thing I guess, but I found concentrating on a time was distracting me from the reason I was fasting.
If doing a 1 day fast for instance try not to concentrate on it being 24hours, just fast for a day not an exact time.

 

[Alive again]

I have developed a practice of asking God when to break the fast and have on occasion been asked to continue to fast, so then I ask Him what I should be praying about and usually know a person to pray for if not why. So I plan a one day fast and before I break it I ask Him.