What's the purpose in fasting!?

[SportsJunkie25]

What's the purpose in fasting? Do you guys completely fast from all food for a certain period of time or just something in particular? And, after you do it, how do you feel different?

 

[SportsJunkie25]

13 views and no responses!? Clearly, you guys in the fasting thread know why you're fasting???

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

What's the purpose in fasting??

To be closer to God,talk to him,Or ask him for something that only he can give you.Or you can fast for both.There may be more reasons to fast ,But I can't think of any other reasons to fast.

Do you guys completely fast from all food for a certain period of time or just something in particular?

The last time I went on a fast,It was with no food at all.Some people only eat fruits or veg,Some give up TV,Computers,Radio to fast.

And, after you do it, how do you feel different

The first time I fasted for 4 days felt better ,But I think I should have fasted another day or 2.The same with the second time.I think I need to go on another fast soon.It does clear your thinking and open your eyes more.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

To be closer to God,talk to him,Or ask him for something that only he can give you.Or you can fast for both.There may be more reasons to fast ,But I can't think of any other reasons to fast. The last time I went on a fast,It was with no food at all.Some people only eat fruits or veg,Some give up TV,Computers,Radio to fast.The first time I fasted for 4 days felt better ,But I think I should have fasted another day or 2.The same with the second time.I think I need to go on another fast soon.It does clear your thinking and open your eyes more.

Can't you achieve that through prayer and reading the Bible? I guess I'm just confused as to why people will go w/o eating (or whatever). Is it a way to get your prayers answered faster?

On a side note, I want to thank you for responding. You're the only one!!!

 

[AmeriLovesJesus]

Ok well I have something to share... Ive been through a rough 6 months.. doing a lot better though.. anyway I was torturing myself with negative obsessive thoughts because of things that had happened to my family & I through a short period of time.. intensely thinking to the point it was happening for so long that I had no self control over it.. what was worse is Id think more deeply when Id go outside to smoke.. well one night it go so bad to the point I had a severe migraine.. but I couldnt find a way out of these thoughts..

So I deccided I wouldnt smoke for 24 hours.. not only would it give me relief & teach that I do have some self control it would also give me a feel of how it will be when I quit..

THAT fast was the BEST decision I had made for myself since all the mess started.. Im still picking myself up... but Ill tell you it took a massive amount of weight off my thoughts.. knowing that God was there.. & that I still have some kind of strength to be in control.. from there on.. I am gradually getting out of the darkness that was in my head..

Thanks to the help from people around here too.

So really you can fast anything.. absolutely anything..

P.S. While fasting I even organized my junk drawers that I have never ever thought of doing ... lol... now I have an organized junk drawer.

God is amazing.

 

[Aibrean]

I fasted this year and last for lent. The first year was soda and this year was chocolate. Every time I was tempted to break the fast (one lady offered homemade cookies at work and before I grabbed one I asked if it had chocolate in it), I am always reminded of Christ's sacrifice and that is more important than my selfish desires. It's also a good way to witness to other people and show your dedication.

 

[Giantsbran1227]

To deny ourselves and our needs and to realize we live through God, not by food alone.

 

[caine]

Fasting in it's simplest form is to reconfirm in ourselves that our spirit is stronger than our bodies/minds. The general concept (at least according to my faith/religion) is that evil, bad, impure, etc... comes from the will of Man's mind, and that good, pure, positivty comes from God's direction. Fasting reaffirms that our spirits are still in control of our bodies and minds and that we can overcome whatever is mentally or physically vexing us by focusing on our spirit and our relationship with God.

This is why people will choose to fast from things they don't want or acknowledge as being negative in their lives, or people that are looking for an answer from God may perform a more strict fast with prayer included.

I have fasted twice. The last time was an odd mix. I actually did the lemonade diet as my nutritional intake as it's centered around a cleansing fast.

(I'm not going into the debate on this diet and it's prupose/affects on the body - I'm well versed with good health and cleansing fasts etc... this was a direction I felt I needed to take as I focused on cleansing something from my body and mind while focusing on my relationship with God)

I got my answer from God, and it was pretty obvious as it was actually a physical reactio nmy body had which is not even documented as a known reaction from the "diet". It was so severe in fact that my entire being willed me to come off the fast, and as I did I received the message from God during a good prayer session and I knew what His answer was.

So it's really case-by-case based on how and when and why to fast.

 

[tjwallace2]

I see the point of fasting, it's just really difficult for me to do...like i just get hungry and distracted...I think I'm better off eating and being able to focus...

 

[Aibrean]

That is why it's easier to just single out one food item I really like and not eat it.

 

[nikkipompom]

I find myself clearer in everything I do and my thinking is more creative. It's God working in your life. Give up food and you exist sorely because God gives you the strength, see the film Ghandi.

 

[nikkipompom]

I see the point of fasting, it's just really difficult for me to do...like i just get hungry and distracted...I think I'm better off eating and being able to focus...

Ask for God's help. Maybe every hour. I read favorite prayers. I just believe I am closer to God through fasting.

 

[caine]

I agree with nikkipompom on this one. Doing anything in a Godly fashion is more difficult than no doing it. That's part of what prayer and a relationship with God is for. He can help you through anything. I usually put together a set of readings for each day and prepare myself to read them and pray whenever I get hungry. It helps me out.

As for only picking one thing to fast from is a good start, but it's not complete sacrifice. That's like stopping yourself from only one type of sin and not worrying about the rest of them. Don't get me wrong - it's a great start, but to be like Jesus is to sacrifice. (My belief) is that to be close to Him is to forget your "self" and let Him work thru you completely. That's the way I see fasting - to a degree - to forget your mortal needs and desires and let God carry you through the discomfort.

And remember this! If you find it tough to sacrifice food and do a fast, it is NOTHING like the sacrifice God made when He gave His only begotten Son to us so that we may ultimately beat, lash and crucify Him for our sins!

 

[Blackknight]

I think the biggest reason is because Christ told us to and we are supposed to follow His example.

Another reason I can think of is that it teaches you self control and discipline. Fasting also makes you appreciate the food you DO eat a lot more and it's also a healthier way to live.

I've lost 20 lbs since I converted to Orthodoxy but the weight loss is really a secondary benefit.

 

[MachineElf]

Fasting clears the mind (if it is fasting and not just going hungry which will give most individuals a bad mood and nothing else)
God speaks to our minds , therefor if they are still and respective , the subtle , discrete voice of The Holy Spirit will be able to make himself heard better.

And I think i'ts time for me to do a fast myself ...

 

[trentlogain2]

I must admit that fasting is a new step in my walk with the Lord, but I have my Bible opened to Isaiah 58:6-7, which says:

6Is 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?
7Is 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?
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Granted there are probably more aspects of fasting to learn, but this is all I know coming into it.

 

[ServantOfYeshua]

You should check out the Daniel Fast. I did the 21 day version of that and loved it. I felt so much healthier and full of energy. Google "daniel fast" and you will find a lot of information about it.

 

[MetalChef87]

You fast to humble yourself in the presence of God. You are denying your flesh something that it needs, to increasingly give your spirit something it needs. You generally fast to come closer to God, repent, to pray and seek His guidance on a situation...or at least that is why I do.

Generally speaking when you fast you are doing it to spend more time with God. It pleases God that you deny yourself and glorify Him.

Plus Moses and Jesus did it, and I am not any better than them, so I believe it is something that I should do. Plus Jesus even says that "WHEN we fast," He didn't say IF He said WHEN, which indicates that we should do it.

 

[Valleyman]

There is another aspect to fasting that I haven't noticed mentioned and that is for spiritual authority. Some manuscripts have Mark 9 Vs 29 to include fasting, indicating that their is an authority aspect to deliverance that is obtained by fasting.

tjwallace2 - if you drink plenty of water that helps to reduce the hunger feelings.

Ray

 

[Memento Mori]

I haven't fasted too much yet, but when I do I just eat one light meal a day. How often do you all fast?