Fasting??

Abby,

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is far older than the Christian church, and falls under the larger category of "spiritual formation." Christians fast for many reasons, but most of them center around disciplining the desires of the flesh and focusing on presence of God.

In Matthew 6 Jesus advises us not to make a big, public ordeal out of it; and in Acts we see several examples of the disciples fasting and praying before major decisions.

The classic modern work on Christian spiritual formation is Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline .

Joshua

 

Isaiah the 58th Chapter gives the real spiritual reason for fasting.

Fasting is when you push away the plate. Fasting can be complete meals, doing away with meat only, only eating vegetables. WIth water, without water. There are so many variables.

Fasting is healthy for your body not only spiritually but physically. It cleanses your body from all kinds of toxics. Also it helps you to crucify the flesh and put it under subjection.

When people fast they see answers to their prayers quickly. It is a humbling of ones self before the Lord. Yet you are never to do it bragging but in secret. No one should know you are fasting except maybe a spouse.

 

I have a question about fasting. If you fasting and someone offers you food and they are persistant to the point that they are getting offended that you are not tacking the food how do you turn them down without lieing or telling them you are fasting?

 

Great question revolt!

Obviously, this person doesn't want to respect you, but you should not answer in kind.

I have tried to tell people what I was getting done instead of the technique. If that didn't work, I told them (in a lower volume voice) that I was fasting for a short period of time and would glady take up their very generous offer once I was finished.

Honesty is the best policy, and in most cases, the person had never met someone who fasted before, and it was an opportunity to teach them or explain to them.

Oh, I got my info on fasting for the book that Joshua mentioned by Richard Foster.

Andrey
www.achievebalance.com

 

I've been considering fasting for a very serious issue in my life right now. Is there a certain amount of time (2 days?) that one should fast?

It would be quite difficult for me to fast during the work week, because we all go to lunch together every day. And trust me, I'm not one to skip lunch!

I thought maybe a weekend I could fast. But wouldn't it be a good idea to at least drink water/coffee? And aren't you supposed to pray lots and lots while fasting?

Saved-by-Grace, I'm glad you brought this topic up. I don't know much about it either!

 

Just from a health standpoint, I would suggest you always drink water when you fast. You get a lot of water from the food you eat as well, so when you stop eating and stop drinking, you could literally die in a relatively short amount of time.

I would also suggest that you not drink coffee, soft drinks, etc when you fast because of the caffeine, chemicals and refined sugars. They would probably make you feel ill.

I haven't water fasted in quite a while, but I have juice fasted, drinking only freshly extracted vegetable and fruit juices, quite a bit.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

Hi Abby -

The subject has come up a few times before and always has pretty good discussion involved. Here's the last two times we saw it:

http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=001051&p=

http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=001304&p=

BTW, nice to see you're still around.

 

Fasting I know I should but I'm a Baptist and I love to eat... Casserole is highlighted in my dictionary... And Pot luck is the best luck I ever had! I have done lop disease... My belly done lopped over my belt! For a Baptist I'm in great shape for pot luck!... Do Baptist really fast?... Isn't that another religion in India?... Surely this is heretical and against Baptist doctrine?... If I have to fast alright but let me get a slice of homemade apple pie first before I die!... et!... Brother Glen

[ June 11, 2002, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

http://www.emmanuel-baptist.org/sermons/Mount/mount26.htm

 

Regarding the length of your fast / fasts. It would be wise for a beginner to start out by skipping one or two meals. Consult your physician if you are diabetic first. Gradually build up to a 24 (water only) fast. Then try 1 & 1/2 days, then 2 days, then 3 days. Fasting is biblical and is similiar to chastising your children. If you beat them with the rod, they will not die. If you fast 1, 2, or 3 days, you will not die. You will venture out of your comfort zone, but you will be blessed. Just a thought.

 

In high school (a few millenia ago), I fasted for a full week during Lent. Nothing but water. Unfortunately, after a week was over, I went out and wolfed down an entire Little Caesar's pizza.

I think fasting has it's place, but also the courage/will/strength to break the fast in a healthy manner.

 

If you believe that God is leading you to fast for a week, and you have never fasted, it may be that you should work on your strength for fasting the same way that you (or someone else) works out with weights.

We build our physical muscles little by little, why not build our spiritual muscles the same way?

Fasting for three days is VERY different from fasting for 24 hours.

God's glory is the purpose for the discipline you exercise.

 

Thanks for the welcome! Yes Owatonna is a nice place--was just through recently to grab some funiture up in Medford.

 

How true. I was 17 at the time--I was invincible and I could do anything. I've since done the fasting thing, but like you say, for only a day or two. It is actually quite liberating--a lot of junk gets cleaned out, the body seems to restore itself in some way. Although after awhile energy does diminish, it is still quite cleansing to body and soul.

 

I'm actually going to be going to a huge gathering in NYC which is to be a day of praise and fasting in His name - from 6am to 6pm. It's called "The Call" and it'll be taking place on 6/29 at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Flushing, Queens NYC.

If you're in the area, come check it out! The website for more info is http://www.thecallnyc.org - this is an excellent cause!!!

Anyway, here's a note on fasting from that site...

TheCallNYC Fasting Schedule


Everyone is welcome to fast in whatever fashion you personally believe God is leading you to participate. We have set up the follow specific fasting periods to use to achieve greater strength in our unified focus. We are recommending the fast start at sundown, nominally taken as 6pm of the first date, and continue until sundown of the last date.


The dates are as follows:

· 40 Day Fast: May 20th to June 29th

· 21 Day Fast: June 8th to June 29th

· 7 Day Fast: June 22nd to June 29th

· 3 Day Fast: June 26th to June 29th

· 1 Day Fasts: Every Shabbat (i.e. Friday evening to Saturday evening leading up to The Call NYC June 28th to June 29th.

Fasting at other times, as best fits with your ability and availability to initiate, are certainly encouraged and welcomed. The Call is a call to fasting and all fasting is important for
the full release of the vision for The Call NYC.

Fasting is also encouraged to continue after The Call NYC gathering to nullify any backlash that will be released.

If any insights are received through your fast, please email a brief summary to: Fast4TheCallNYC@yahoo.com

Fasting Scriptures

Fasts Proclaimed:

1 Kings 21:9 – In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting….”

2 Chronicles 20:3 – Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

Ezra 8:21 – There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

Esther 4:16 – Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.

Jeremiah 36:9 – In the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a time of fasting before the Lord was proclaimed for all the people in Jerusalem and those who had come from the towns of Judah.

Jonah 3:5 – The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.


Duty of Fasting:

Joel 1:14 – Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.

Joel 2:12 – “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Matthew 6:17-18 – But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 17:21 – But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.


General References to Fasting:

Psalm 35:13 – Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.

Psalm 69:10 – When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn.

Isaiah 58:6 – Is not this the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Matthew 9:15 – “… The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

Examples of Fasting:

Moses – Exodus 34:28 – Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments.

Moses – Deuteronomy 9:18 – Then once again I fell prostrate before the Lord for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the Lord’s sight and so provoking Him to anger.

Israel – 1 Samuel 7:6 – When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”

Elijah – 1 Kings 19:8 – So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Ezra – Ezra 10:6 – Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

Daniel – Daniel 10:3 – I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

Jesus – Luke 4:1-2 – Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry.

Paul – Acts 9:9 – For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Church Leaders – Acts 13:2-3 – While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Paul & Barnabus – Acts 14:23 – Paul and Barnabus appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust.

Fasting Types and Tips

It is extremely important to realize that fasting can have serious health effects. Everyone is asked to confirm with your personal physician that your health condition is suitable for fasting in any fashion. If you are taking any sort of medication, you are asked to discuss how fasting may/will impact same with your personal physician before starting to fast in any fashion.

Fasting can be total or partial or of a specific item. For example, you can fast a meal a day for the duration of the fast or fast a particular food that is important to you. The intent is to say to the flesh that it does not rule and to say to God that He comes first over something that is important to you. For me, to fast ice cream for 40 days, or for my kids to fast soda, is a major statement to God that His purposes are very important to us!

Other types of fasting can be to drink only juices or to eat only vegetables for the
selected time frame. The more the demonstrated denial of the flesh, the greater the spiritual release.

· 40 Day Fast – usually preceded the birthing of a new ministry in God

· 21 Day Fast – Daniel Fast in Daniel Chapter 10 – for breakthrough over spiritual principalities.

· 3 Day Fast – Esther Fast in Ester Chapter 4 – for rescuing a nation from demonic decrees.

· Much Prayer and Fasting – for victories of demonic activity.


Fasting Books, Articles and Web Site Links

There are many books, tapes and other resources on the topic of fasting. The following list is only meant to be an introductory aid to those who are interested in reading more on the subject. It is not meant to be exhaustive or an endorsement of any particular views.

BOOKS:
Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough (A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts) By Elmer L. Towns Regal Books

A Hunger for God By John Piper Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting By Derek Prince

God’s Chosen Fast By Arthur Wallis

Celebration of Discipline By Richard Foster (excellent chapter on fasting)


WEB SITES:

www.elijahrevolution.com/downloads
Lou Engle’s 40 Day Revolution Fasting and Prayer Guide

www.newlifepublications.com
Prayer and Fasting selection of books


ARTICLES:

The Role of Fasting From Dr. Bill Bright http://spiritual.crosswalk.com

Dear friends,



Down through the centuries, godly people have been mightily used by God through the discipline of prayer with fasting. John Wesley, who shook the world for God during the Great Awakening which gave rise to the Methodist Church toward the end of the eighteenth century, is representative of such great spiritual leaders.

John and his brother Charles Wesley with their friend George Whitefield and other fellow believers regularly fasted and prayed while students at Oxford University in 1732, and they later required that all of their pastors fast every Wednesday and Friday.

The roll call of other great Christian leaders who determined to make prayer with fasting A part of their lives read like a hall of fame: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Jonathan Edwards, Matthew Henry, Charles Finney, Andrew Murray, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and many more.

Why were they so convinced of the need for fasting and prayer? And how does fasting cause the fire of God to fall upon the life of the individual and the Church?

The writings of Scripture, the Church Fathers and many Christian leaders of today offer several biblical insights into the spiritual need for fasting. For examples, it is a biblical way to truly humble oneself in the sight of God; it brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of a person's true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance and change; it transforms prayer into a richer and more personal experience; it can result in dynamic personal revival, regaining a strong sense of spiritual determination; and it can restore the loss of one’s first love for our Lord.

Throughout the Old and New Testament eras and during the last 2,000 years, fasting was a primary means of humbling ourselves before God.

Of course, fasting must be undertaken with the right attitude. Humility is an attitude of the heart. The Scripture says, "A broken and a contrite heart -- these, O God, You wilt Not despise” (Psalm 51:17, NKJ)

God will hear us and respond to our cry when we come before Him in humility and brokenness -- acknowledging and repenting of our sins, and asking Him to cleanse us by the blood of Jesus and to fill us with His Holy Spirit. Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

- meli -

[ June 14, 2002, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: MeliChaCha ]