There are a few things going on in my life right now that I feel the Lord is calling me to fast over.
However, I am a little bit afraid to fast. With all the health issues I've had lately it is a bit scary to think about going without food totally for 24 hours.
And then there is the whole leaving off the coffee for 24 hours part of it. Even though I drink only 1 cup of 1/2 caff. coffee in the mornings, I don't think it will be good. The last time I went without my morning cup of java - my head was hurting by 9:30 am. AND stayed hurting all day until I drank some dr. pepper. I need to tell you that I don't even drink carbonated beverages usually. BUT I had no coffee and I needed the caffeine. BAD - I know but I am worried about this part of it. I don't know how well I can focus on praying with my head pounding. That is a pickle.
I have been researching this topic and see that there are many kinds of fasts. People fast from many things.
*There are literal fasts. Fasting totally from food and water for different lengths of time. I do not think that I can start with this one at all. I'm afraid health wise, this would be an UN wise decision!
*There are liquid fasts. This is fasting from all solid foods. Drinking PLENTY of water and juices. Juices being fruit and vegetable juices.
*There are partial fasts. This is when someone fasts from certain types of food. This reminds of Lent in some ways. When Christians give up a certain food or certain types of food for the season of Lent. In order that when they crave that particular food, they are reminded to pray.
*NOW, I can also see that there can be other kinds of fasting. Fasting from things like making negative comments, or having a bad attitude or even whatever bad habit one might have.
Well, I got to wondering what ya'll think about this.
Do any of you spend time in fasting and prayer?
If so what kind of fasting do you do?
Do you think it has to be a full on TOTAL fast?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Fasting is not very popular these days among Christians is it? Because of certain medications I take, I can no longer do a total fast and do need to drink juice. I also have found that if I eat a late dinner, say 6 pm and fast 24 hours until 6 pm the following day, it is much easier on my body, and still 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteI believe the emphasis on fasting in scripture is not so much what you give up but on realigning your focus. It's not just doing without, but taking that time and offering it to Him in prayer. Unless He spelled it out for you to do a total fast, in which case you do it, I recommend you do one meal, or a certain food, or even a "Daniel Fast" where you do without certain meats. There is also fasting from television, reading, blogging, etc. The idea is to take the time you would normally be doing something for your "flesh" and spend time investing in your spirit. God will show you as you seek His plan for you in this area and it is something I have learned in my own life looks different each time God calls me to do it.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long winded answer. Hope it was helpful. God bless you!
You know, I'm glad you posted this. I used to have a regular, consistent time of fasting and prayer for a certain prayer focus of mine weekly. I have gotten out of that in recent weeks and I need to do it again.
ReplyDeleteI am certainly no expert or model, but I've done it different ways. I, too, have had health issues which would make it difficult to do a complete fast (rapid heart beat being one of them). Some days I've done liquids only (including broth). Some days I have done fruit only, reminding me to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and bear fruit accordingly. Some days I have had bread and water only, reminding me of the Bread of Life and the Living Water who sustains my soul and meets my needs. Sometimes I have chosen a certain day to simply fast through lunch and spend that time in prayer instead.
God knows your heart and the Holy Spirit will lead you in this area. Thank you again for this post, Mindy. And I'll be praying with you.
I have also heard of "media" fasts (fasting from TV, computer, radio, video games, etc.).
ReplyDeleteI have fasted before. However, my fasts have always been partial fasts. When I have done it alone or my husband and I have done it together...we have fasted up through 5PM (i.e. skipping breakfast and lunch meals). Our fasts were made up of going without food and drinking mainly water and juice. This particular way has worked well for us - and is more do-able...especially if you are doing it for several days in a row.
I would seek the Lord on what type of fast you should do and the length of time it should be. He will tell you, Mindy. :-)
The Lord has been so faithful to honor the fasts we've participated in and the structure of them. It is such a deeper way of seeking Him and is so spiritually rewarding.
I have a book that has a chapter in it on Fasting. I could scan it in for you and send it to you via e-mail if you'd like.
It's so cool that you wrote about this, because I haven't done it in awhile and the Lord recently put it on my heart again. :-)
What a growing time it will be for you. I'm thrilled.
Thank you for this post. What an encouragment to seek the Lord. I have not participated in a fast for a long time and just by reading the post the Lord brought to mind some things I could fast for. ;o)
ReplyDeleteWhen I did Believing God, Beth challenges you to give up one thing for the entire 10 weeks. God called me to give up "unclean" meat. My hubby doesn't eat it so I think God wanted me to be able to see how that is for him.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out to be an incredible blessing...not to mention a healthier choice!
Mindy-I am guessing that this is a common sermon topic. My husband and I have fasted similar to the way several women above stated. We go from the end of dinner one night and break the fast at dinner the next night. We usually do this when we really want to petition God for something in particular. We spend our meal times praying (breakfast and lunch). We do a solid food fast only - drinking water, juice, etc - especially when we are teaching (dry mouth and all). Blessings as you find God's will in this.
ReplyDeleteCyndee
Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteI've fasted, and I've read several good resources on fasting. Richard Foster has a wonderful chapter on fasting in his book, Celebration of Discipline. The best book on fasting I've read is Hunger Pains by Cynthia Moe.
A couple of thoughts regarding what you wrote. If you're new to fasting, there's no sense trying to jump to "advanced" fasting right away. I'd recommend a liquid-only fast, limited to water, fruit & vegetable juices, and clear broth. You can have your morning coffee with this one, too.
When you're learning fasting, it's good to start with shorter periods of time, too. You can start with a 24-hour fast, meaning you would only skip two meals. For example, eat breakfast, then don't eat anything else until breakfast the next day.
If it's spiritually important to you to give up the coffee, give it up for at least 3-4 days BEFORE you start your fast. That way, on fasting day, you're not dealing with caffeine withdrawal, too. You're smart to recognize the possibility of being so distracted by your caffeine headache that your praying is ineffective.
I encourage you to pray about your fast before you take it on; and don't try to be a spiritual "fasting giant." In Bible times, fasts were a normal part of life and people had lots of experience with it. I doubt God or anyone would expect you to do a "total" fast right away. And definitely not an extended fast.
Would love to see an update on your blog about what you decide to do!
Ashamed to say, it has been several years since I fasted an entire day. From everything. The next morning I was so nauseated, I could hardly hold my head up w/o getting sick--it felt like "morning sickness" all over again. BUT I have fasted 2 meals, or our minister recommends, for elderly or people who have medical issues, to fast from other things. Things that take up time that they could spend w/the Lord. TV, shopping, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt is something that has to be determined by the individual. I know that any fasting and time spent in prayer will be rewarded by the Father.
I'm working on my first ever fasts just now and am really pleased to see another woman writing about it - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth - I think different people are called to fast of ifferent things at different times in their lives.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have been researching different types of fasting. A lot of the people who have commented here have responded to questions I have had. I really would like to see an update to this and thank you for posting this and for all those who added their comments.
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