How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
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How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
There's one thing in Christianity that has always stumped me and that's fasting. I don't think I know how to do it properly because there are so many differing opinions on it. I've heard that there's different kinds of fasting and if that's not enough, there's different kinds of fasting for different things, and added to that, some people say there are different seasons to fast and different lengths of times to fast. It makes one want to throw their hands up and say, "forget it!" I have no idea what I'm doing, I may as well as just go on a diet, pray a little, and call it fasting... What does the Bible say about it?
Re: How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
let me stab at it -
it would seem the word of God endorses fasting, and in fact even secular medical folks speak of its value...
in short, a long fast 48 hours or so in a sense 'reboots' the system...resets your 'defaluts'
i used to have a weekly fast of 20 to 24 hours....water only, and a longer fast 24-36 hours several times a year...
go in to a fast humbly and prayerfully! your regimen might vary from one person to another...i would be water only, nothing else; some allow juices; if you are a big meat eater, going 2-3 days without meat would be good for you!
after 20 or more hours, you will be come fatigued, so as part of your fast you will be cutting back on your activities, and use the time in prayer and contemplating the word of God...
i recommend it...but dont go in vowing to make 36 hours (ahead of time), maybe make that a target, and let your body TELL you when it is tie to end the fast!
ending your fast would be with simple foods...fruits, then veggies...NOT with a huge roast beef dinner!
and...the fast if private, between you and God, and maybe your immediate household...dont brag on it!
you will be able to do longer fasts in time to come!
why not eat a nice dinner..then stop until the next afternoon! do it as part of your sabbath regimen!
go for it!
grace and peace...
it would seem the word of God endorses fasting, and in fact even secular medical folks speak of its value...
in short, a long fast 48 hours or so in a sense 'reboots' the system...resets your 'defaluts'
i used to have a weekly fast of 20 to 24 hours....water only, and a longer fast 24-36 hours several times a year...
go in to a fast humbly and prayerfully! your regimen might vary from one person to another...i would be water only, nothing else; some allow juices; if you are a big meat eater, going 2-3 days without meat would be good for you!
after 20 or more hours, you will be come fatigued, so as part of your fast you will be cutting back on your activities, and use the time in prayer and contemplating the word of God...
i recommend it...but dont go in vowing to make 36 hours (ahead of time), maybe make that a target, and let your body TELL you when it is tie to end the fast!
ending your fast would be with simple foods...fruits, then veggies...NOT with a huge roast beef dinner!
and...the fast if private, between you and God, and maybe your immediate household...dont brag on it!
you will be able to do longer fasts in time to come!
why not eat a nice dinner..then stop until the next afternoon! do it as part of your sabbath regimen!
go for it!
grace and peace...
s.t.mann- SCRIBE (101-150posts)
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Re: How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
Thanks S.T., you kind of solidified what I've been thinking about the matter. I'm beginning to think it's more the heart behind it rather than the ritual itself. Maybe that's why it's not real clear in the Bible. I'm certain that even if one just wings it and uses the time to meditate on the Lord and pray, one can't go wrong. Perhaps we could even allow the Lord to lead us in how He would have us do it.
Re: How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
welcome!!
yes - always the heart!
another way to put it - when we fast, we humble ourselves intentionally..we weaken ourselves...and by closing down the body's digestive systems temporarily, our clarity improves...our proximity to the spiritual realm!
and there are the variety of reasons to fast -they are typically very healthful if not done excessively!
grace and peace...
yes - always the heart!
another way to put it - when we fast, we humble ourselves intentionally..we weaken ourselves...and by closing down the body's digestive systems temporarily, our clarity improves...our proximity to the spiritual realm!
and there are the variety of reasons to fast -they are typically very healthful if not done excessively!
grace and peace...
s.t.mann- SCRIBE (101-150posts)
- TC FOUNDER
Posts : 140
Posting Points : 195
Likes : 11
Join date : 2014-03-19
Location : sojourner...en route to home...
Re: How Should #Christians go about #Fasting ?
I've done a little investigation into this topic and a little bit of experimenting on my own. I believe that the reason there are few explicit details or instructions about fasting in the Bible is for our own benefit. We humans tend to try and turn things like this into specific steps and rituals in which we manipulate and control. Thus, by doing so we feel we are the authors of anything good that might coincidentally happen to us or loved ones. By doing this, we fail miserably in the real purpose for fasting. Fasting is not for God's benefit, it is not to try to manipulate Him into doing anything for us, it's not a sacrifice on our part to make things happen that we want to have happen, and it's not a diet plan either. Fasting is for our benefit in which we learn to bring our flesh under control and through prayer and supplication draw nearer to God so that we can better allow His will to reign through us. It's sort of like sweeping our houses clean in order to make more room for the Lord to move in.
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