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i have another question -how do we fast correctly?
is there anything in the Bible that outlines how to fast correctly? i need your help here, so i can start my fast and do it the safe and correct way.
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Permalink Reply by Stan Danao on
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Felix,
Prayerfully understand why you must FAST. You had an urgency in your request for advise, but without a reason! Remember, wherever two or three are gathered in HIS NAME, Jesus is in our midst. Imagine if several of us were fasting together for the same purpose. I believe God would honor our request.
By now you may have already chosen to fast and may be coming to the end of a 24 hour fast. Have you learned anything about your relationship with God? Do you still feel like you are starving for God's Wisdom? Keep fasting, but look at Isaiah 58 for a way of fasting that transcends man's definition. Especially Isaiah 58: verses 6-9. You can live a life of "fasting" according to Isaiah 58!
May your fasting please Our Lord,
Stan
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Permalink Reply by Edwin Muir on
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Speaking from personal past,and fruits of.Keep it to Yourself or spikey will rob where he can.Pride crouches close in these seasons and *Father* sets up perfectly *His* vessels.
I recall having slashed my left hand at just that needed time to be aside for an urgent season,and in my weakness was made strong.As the hospital suggested motionlessness would save much scarring.
Be still and KNOW----------------*I AM* ---------------*GOD*.
Of course that stillness is in being, not nessacarilly body as one famous oldtimer fasted while working as a coalminer,amazing how soft we have grown.GLORY TO *GOD* OUR GRACIOUS REDEEMER.
Bevington was fed by squirrels at just the right moments of breaking his fast or tempering it better said.
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Permalink Reply by MaryAnn on
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Last week I came across a Christian book on Fasting, that totally blessed me. It was by Jentezen Franklin, and is available at amazon.com. At the church he pastors, thousands of members all fast at the beginning of each New Year…with a 21- day fast. He says we need to have at least three spiritual reasons for fasting. These are my reasons:
1) To break the strongholds, and any curses in my generational line.
2) Household Salvation (there are still some in my family, who are lost)
3) God’s call on our household, (all of us who serve the LORD.)
There is also an aspect of giving and praying, while we are fasting. All three are key! All three are necessary! We fast to die to self, and show King Stomach that he/she will not have dominion in our lives. If you are doing a longer fast, like 40-days, you may need to check with your doctor, if you have health concerns.
I know my fast was inspired by God, and currently, I am on Day-Eight of a 40-Day Fast. The stakes are high…eternal salvation for my household, plus other good things! I remind God daily of my reasons for fasting, and I remind myself to build my faith. When I started the fast I allowed myself half-cup of coffee, and slowly weaned off over 3 days without headaches, and drank only water. On the morning of the fifth day, however, I felt sick, so I asked God what to do. He inspired me to make a cup of herbal tea for myself. After drinking it, I felt better. Yesterday a friend at church allowed me to borrow her juicer, and for the past two days I have supplemented the water fast with a glass or two of carrot juice, if needed, (half juice-half-water). It’s really amazing if you ask God to help you He will put people in your path that can help.
There are amazing side-effects which benefit health by fasting, yet as Christians, our fast must be unto the LORD, so we are fit for His use. I remain hopeful that maybe He will take pity on me, and move like a hurricane on my family.
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Permalink Reply by felixpadua on
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thank you for all your information and comments. surely, these info will help me start my fast correctly.
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Permalink Reply by Pastor Bob B on
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I spent a lot of time fasting when I was younger and didn't have so many health problems. I most likely didn't do it always for the right reasons, but I have to say that it was more about me getting into a better place with God. It is a form of prayer that has been practiced since the time of Jesus.
A misconception about fasting is that it is something we do to make God answer our prayers. God will always answer our prayers; yes, no, or wait. He isn't going to change his mind by us fasting.
Fasting is great because we are denying our flesh, and instead devoting ourselves to prayer. But as the scripture says it must be a private matter between you and God.
Some times we are called to fast and pray as a congregation. But how we fast is our choice.
I do not think that it is something that some one should be compelled to do. It is a personal thing between God and His child.
I have to say that when the Holy Spirit has led me into a time of fasting that it has been a very life enriching experience.
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Permalink Reply by Bongani on
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I'm not yet 100% sure but I did fast for a week and I did not plan to eat but suddenly I felt a need that I must drink something and It was milk shake only, then I will eat after six. I'm happy so far with my results of fasting and God is g8t.
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Permalink Reply by kathleen aldea on
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my Brother.... i have a group created named Prayer and Fasting... in my other christian fellowship site..
and there i put many things about prayer and fasting.. u can check it if u want... but then here are some i could share to you..
Prayer and Fasting When you think of fasting, what image comes to mind? A self-righteous Pharisee? An ascetic monk? For many of us, these are cultural stereotypes of a person who abstains from food and prays. Often we are confused about the purpose of fasting. Fortunately, Scripture provides many examples both in the Old and New Testaments of how fasting can make a difference in our lives and ministries. God considers fasting important, and His Word contains 92 passages mentioning it Many of our heroes of the faith, including Moses, Elijah, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel and Paul, fasted at crucial points. Jesus both taught and modeled fasting. After being anointed by the Holy Spirit, He was led into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days (Matthew 4:2). During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave specific instructions on how to fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Jesus knew the followers He addressed would fast. But what is the purpose of fasting in the life of the believer today? Here are some answers.
Showing Humility and Repentance
One reason we fast is to demonstrate humility before the sovereign Creator of the universe. God responds when we diligently and wholeheartedly seek Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Sometimes this involves confession and repentance from sin. This was the case of the Ninevites when Jonah reluctantly told them God was going to bring judgment upon them (Jonah 3:5,10), 50 they called a fast and repented of their sin. Fasting demonstrates humility by acknowledging our dependence on God. In Psalm 35, David laments his enemies' harsh treatment of him in contrast to how he cared for them when they were ill. He humbled his soul by fasting and praying for their recovery
(Psalm 35:13).
Seeking God's Face More Fully
A second reason we fast is to respond to God's love toward us. It is as if we are saying to God, "Because You are righteous and holy, and loved me enough to send Jesus to die for my sins, I want to get to know You more intimately."
Jeremiah 29:13 says we will find God when we seek Him with all our hearts. We may want to take extra time to seek and praise God by missing a meal or abstaining from food for a day or more.
When we deliberately set aside time for fasting, we are showing we want to seek God.
Asking for Something You Desire
Sometimes we fast to demonstrate our sincerity to God concerning something we truly desire. Ezra proclaimed a fast to ask God to protect His people as they journeyed to Jerusalem from exile. God responded by leading them safely to Jerusalem, delivering them from their enemies and ambushes along the way (Ezra 8:21 31).
Although fasting may show our sincerity, it does not guarantee we will receive what we desire. Maybe our request is not within God's will, or we may be asking with the wrong motives. David fasted for seven days when God struck with illness the child Bathsheba conceived by David. David repented of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. He humbled himself, fasted and prayed, but the child still died (2 Samuel 12:15-18).
Through fasting we can determine the sincerity and correctness of our requests.
Fasting to Know God's Will
Seeking God's will or direction is different from petitioning Him for something we desire. When the Israelites were in conflict with the tribe of Benjamin, they sought God's will through fasting. The entire army fasted until evening, and "the men of Israel asked the Lord, 'Shall we go out again and fight against our brother Benjamin, or shall we stop?"' (Judges 20:26-28).
Acts 13:1-3 implies that church leaders were seeking God's direction for their ministry through prayer and fasting. The Holy Spirit responded by saying, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." In both instances, people fasted and prayed to determine God's will.
Developing Discipline
An important benefit of fasting is that it promotes self-control by disciplining our bodies. When we say no to our natural appetite for food, we develop the willpower and discipline to say no to other fleshy desires (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Other reasons people in the Bible fasted include deliverance (Second Chronicles 20:3), mourning the loss of a loved one (1 Samuel 31:13), healing the sick (Psalm 35:13), spiritual strength (Matthew 4:2), and the appointment of elders in the church (Acts 14:23).
Losing weight is NOT the emphasis when fasting for spiritual reasons.
Men of God Continue to Fast
Fasting is not limited to believers the Bible mentions. Most of the church's reformers-including Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox-fasted. Knox fasted and prayed so much that Queen Mary said she feared his prayers more than all the armies of Scotland.
John Wesley, the renown English preacher, missionary and founder of Methodism, fasted twice weekly from sun up until late afternoon. Charles Finney, a revivalist of the 1800s, fasted regularly week and would often go three days without eating when he felt any diminution of spiritual power at his meetings.
Dr. Bill Bright, founder and president of Campus Crusade for Christ, makes it his practice to fast and pray. He believes it plays a vital role in what God does through him and the ministry of Campus Crusade.
Dr. Bright encourages believers to fast, but he also warns of two common pitfalls:
First, we can become legalistic about fasting. It is essential to remember God loves us and is not displeased with us when we do not fast.
Second, we can take pride in our fasting. We can avoid this problem by focusing on God's character and all He has done for us. Most of us do not need to worry about having the wrong attitude or motive while fasting. A more likely problem is we may not fast at all.
Fasting is a commitment to seeking the Lord. It is not reserved for the self-righteous, but it is a privilege from which each of us can benefit.
In How to Fast
Most people go without food during a diet or when they're too busy to eat, but this isn't biblical fasting. what does fasting mean?
Our sincerity and attitude play important roles in biblical fasting. Before beginning ask yourself, "Am I confident that my desire to fast is God-given? what are the spiritual objectives in this fast? Personal sanctification and consecration? Intercession? Special burdens? Is there any hidden desire to impress others?" when you've honestly answered these questions you're ready to begin.
Now that you've decided to fast and are properly motivated, you still may not know how to begin the fast, or how long it should last.
The Normal Fast
The normal fast involves abstaining from all forms of food but not from water, and commonly lasts 24 hours, from sunrise to sunrise.
According to The Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia, "For healthy individuals, no harm results from short-term fasting." The average healthy person can go without food between 21 and 40 or more days before the body begins to eliminate vital tissue (starvation). You should consult your physician before beginning any fast lasting longer than three days. If you are under the care of a physician for any kind of disease, if you struggle with anorexia nervosa or bulimia, or if you are pregnant, do not begin a fast before you have the approval and supervision of your physician.
If you want to learn more about the physical effects of fasting (and especially if you're considering a fast longer than one to three days) read books dealing with the medical aspects. Fasting: The Ultimate Diet by Allan Con, M.D. (contains an extensive bibliography); Therapeutic Fasting by Amold DeVries, and books by Dr. Herbert Sheldon (a leading authority on fasting) are a few suggestions.
Beginning the Fast
If you are fasting for the first time, you might begin by missing a meal or two. Over time, you can build up to a full day or more. Begin by refraining from solid food, but drink liquids. Water is the best, since soft drinks 'poison' the digestive system and inhibit the purifying process, and coffee and tea stimulate the nervous system. Before beginning the fast it is best to eat lightly and cut back on caffeinated drinks. However, during the first few days of the fast, it is common to experience headaches as the body withdraws from and removes caffeine.
During your fast set aside specific and significant time to worship and seek God. Plan where you'll he, so your time can he unhurried and conducive to enjoying the Lord. Many people begin this time by repenting of any sins the Holy Spirit brings to mind and asking for God's forgiveness. This is essential to ensure that sin is not hindering your communication with God.
Then plan time to make your requests known to God and to seek His will. Take breaks to study Scripture passages you have chosen. Don't rush your fellowship with God. Take time to listen. Keep a notebook and pen nearby to record the ideas, insights, directions and instructions He impresses on your mind. When you turn down the "noise of western civilization" by fasting, you can more easily hear God.
Breaking the Fast
Breaking the fast may require as much discipline as beginning it. During the fast your stomach contracts and your body's digestive and elimination systems rest. The longer you fast, the more time the digestive organs need to reactivate before functioning at full speed.
If you plan to fast only a day or two at a time, it is best to end the fast with a small glass of fruit juice as your first meal. Gradually introduce small amounts of easily digestible foods such as yogurt, soup, fresh fruit, and cooked vegetables.
If your fast lasts longer than a few days, you should continue with juices for a day or more before gradually introducing more substantial foods like yogurt, soup and fruit. Be sure you introduce new foods in small quantities, and that it is chewed well. You should stop eating at the slightest sensation of fullness.
If fasting only a few days at a time, ending the fast should be easier. If you have built up to and desire to fast longer, you should consult your physician and review a health book on fasting.
Remember, it is your attitude toward God and your walk with Him that is important, not how long you fast. God desires for you to love, obey, follow and enjoy Him. Deliberately abstaining from food is one way to demonstrate your commitment and sincerity in seeking Him.
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this is just where the Lord has me at this moment felix Im going to meet my sister in town but will email you later Yours in Jesus name
margaret
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Permalink Reply by barva smith brown on
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hi bro i see that you want to get closer to god and your going about it the right way fasting is the way of feeding our sprite with the word of god and not with food has there are different type of fasting not eating and only drinking is my best way of fasting only water i drink some peaple drink a cup of tea depends on how you feel read my bible and pray if i am fasting for something i look for verses in the bible that relate to that need an read it i also dont have sex i would let my husband know the reason has the bible says i should ask my husband 1cor 7verse 5 has i can see you get most of the verses so i will leave you with this in every thing do it to the glory of god.
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Permalink Reply by John Snow on
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Felixpadua how are you, here are some scriptures that might help you in your fasting, Neh 1-4 -- Psalms 35:15 -- Psalms 109: 24 -- Jer 36: 6 -- Dan 6: 18 -- Joel 2: 12 -- Matt 6: 18 -- Matt 17: 21 -- Acts 10: 30 -- 1 Cor 7: 5 ..... Felixpadua check these out I believe they will help you to get your fasting started in the right way let me know if they helped you or not.
Your friend in Jesus
John Snow
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thanks john. you're a blessing.
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Permalink Reply by diane elizabeth ballou on
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Would you fast with Faith Baptist on Fridays til we finally have a pastor?
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