When ye fast...

[BadgerBoysMom]

Over the last 15 yrs I can honestly say I have fasted VERY little. This is an area I have struggled with tremendously. I am just no good at it. I have always been a "no excuses" kind of person. If I wanted to do it bad enough then I just would. For example, exercising or quitting smoking and so on.

However, in the area of fasting I just can't seem to get a true grip on it. There are some places in God that I would like to go that I know that I know that I know (repeat for emphasis only) I cannot go unless I can over come this.

What advice if any would you offer? How to prepare? Mentally, emotionally, and physically? What should one expect? How often should we fast? What would you consider a null and void fast?

I have heard it says that God honors any sacrifice but really is this true? Are there some that are just really silly?

Thanks for the help (in advance!)

[MissBrattified]

BBM,

First of all, I don't know that there are any "null and void" fasts. Secondly, with fasting I think it's good to start small. It's an exercise in self-control, plain and simple.

So start with something like skipping 1-2 meals per day. Once you can get through that several times, try something longer.

In my opinion, the power that comes from fasting is not God "honoring the sacrifice", but rather the person gaining control over their flesh, enabling them to better walk after the spirit.

In that respect, there are no failures. If you can bring your body under subjection for half a day, you can do it for a whole day. If you can bring your body under subjection in regard to food, you can do it in many other areas as well, such as control over a temper or sharp tongue, etc.

There aren't any silly sacrifices. It depends on the person. If you feel you lack self-control in an area, then that's the area to work on. For instance, our church is asking that everyone fast from technology the last week of March. (Except for work-related computer use) It isn't silly--it's a time to re-evaluate and make sure you are in control of your environment.

I have a sharp tongue, and I have to really watch myself. I've imposed "fasts" upon myself before where I wouldn't allow myself to speak for a day or several days, unless it was a compliment or uplifting statement. (I usually didn't inform anyone of what I was doing, unless I had to.)

Fasting is just a way to keep your flesh in line, and depriving your flesh of something it NEEDS like food is a great way to beat the "system" from the top down.

[Pressing-On]

This is my opinion, but from my experience I have had a wonderful time of fasting when God lays it on my heart. If I purpose to do that because I feel I need to out of guilt or whatever, it doesn't normally benefit me at all.

If you are reading His Word and praying, I wouldn't worry about it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

This is my opinion, but from my experience I have had a wonderful time of fasting when God lays it on my heart. If I purpose to do that because I feel I need to out of guilt or whatever, it doesn't normally benefit me at all.

If you are reading His Word and praying, I wouldn't worry about it.

PO, you've expressed this before, and I understand what you're saying, but I don't think fasting is a purely spiritual exercise.

I do believe it has to do with gaining control over the flesh, and I don't think we need to wait until God tells us to do it, although I agree that those kinds of fasts seem to be easier.

In my opinion, fasting on a small scale should be a regular part of the Christian life, whether from food or other things.

To me it would like waiting for God to tell me to pray....there are times when He leads me to the prayer room, but most of the time prayer is just a routine, that once it's begun leads to a spiritual experience/encounter.

JMO

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

PO, you've expressed this before, and I understand what you're saying, but I don't think fasting is a purely spiritual exercise.

I do believe it has to do with gaining control over the flesh, and I don't think we need to wait until God tells us to do it, although I agree that those kinds of fasts seem to be easier.

In my opinion, fasting on a small scale should be a regular part of the Christian life, whether from food or other things.

To me it would like waiting for God to tell me to pray....there are times when He leads me to the prayer room, but most of the time prayer is just a routine, that once it's begun leads to a spiritual experience/encounter.

JMO

A good doctor will tell you that fasting one day a week is very beneficial, so I can agree with you there.

I can see your point of view on the praying - it is a routine and a responsibility. That's not a bad thing.

I remember a time that a church we attended was embroiled in a horrible mess - spiritually, morally and legally. The Lord laid a 15 day fast on my heart (as a new convert) and I couldn't have eaten if I wanted to. After the fast was over, all the people that caused the trouble moved on.

There are other experiences like this I could share. It's just God's way in my life. That is why I said, "It's my opinion." It is also my opinion that we make things much harder than they need to be.

[MissBrattified]

Some of us might need to make ourselves fast a few times and pray a bit more before we are in tune enough with God to hear Him say, "Fast for 15 days." Just a thought.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Some of us might need to make ourselves fast a few times and pray a bit more before we are in tune enough with God to hear Him say, "Fast for 15 days." Just a thought.

I think if we have a regular prayer life - anything is possible.

[POWERUP]

BadgerBoysMom,

Hope your having a great day. Yes, these are some great questions you ask, concerning Fasting. Fasting is not easy # 1. First of all, I was raised UPC my entire life. 17 years of that I was a Licensed Minister until last year. Still in the ministry, just not UPC. I was always taught the only way to fast, is Air and Water. However, that is not the only way to fast. Some people say they fast TV, Radio, Etc.... That is fine. But, look up the definition of fasting. (The absence of food) I believe whatever food you give up and sacrifice, is fasting. The Daniel fast is a great fast. Unless you already don't like meat. For example, Our church is coming off of a 40 day corporate fast. Did everybody do a complete fast. No!!! Some did the Daniel Fast, Some did a complete fast for a couple of days. Whatever they felt they could do. Our Pastor did a complete 40 day with nothing but air, and water. And when you see him, trust me. You can tell. 55lbs later he looks rough! But god has given him strength. Before the church started the fast, he taught a whole month on the subject, to prepare everyone for what they were about to do. We also had communion the entire 40 days, 7 days aweek, at 6:00 in the morning and evening. If you could come that was great, if not. it was still great. But, if you want to know more about fasting, I mean in depth fasting. Get Jentzen Franklins book" Fasting" the greatest book I have ever read on Fasting.
Hope I have helped a little,

God Bless You

[POWERUP]

Or you can do the Isaiah fast. Its when you do something for someone who you know can't pay you back.

[Sam]

Notes from last night's Bible Study

FASTING

Fasting in the Old Testament is the word “tsuwm” (tsoom) and tsom” (tsome) to cover the mouth, i.e. not eat. (about 45 times)
“a fast; a day of fasting; a time set aside to mourn or pray with no provision for one’s normal food needs...Fasting is a voluntary denial of food. ...some times coupled with the words weep, mourn or lie in sackcloth, all expressing intensity. Fasting is an action contrary to that first act of sin in the human race, which was eating what was forbidden. Fasting is refusing to eat what is allowed” from The Spirit Filled Life Bible
Fasting in the New Testament is “nesteuo” (nace-tyoo-o) to not eat (about 15 times)

Old Testament Command: Leviticus 23:27, Yom Kippur “Ye shall humble yourselves deeply before God inwardly by sorrow, and by judging and loathing yourselves; and outwardly by fasting and abstinence from all carnal comforts and delights”

New Testament Command: None
(but fasting is implied in Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 5:33-35 and James 4:10)
James 4:10 (ref Psalm 35:13 and 69:10, also 2 Chronicles 7:14)

Fasting was part of Jesus’ life and discipline
Luke 3:21-22; 4:1-14 plus Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29
After His anointing or Holy Ghost Baptism at the Jordan it says He was "full of the Spirit" (Luke 4:1) when He went into the wilderness for 40 days of prayer and fasting. Then when He returned in triumph we read that He "returned in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14)

Examples in the Bible:

1445 BC Exodus 19:10-25 giving of the Law
1445 Exodus 24:18 & 34:28 Moses fasted 40 days, then 40 days more
1405(?) Joshua 7:6 after defeat at Ai
1400(?) Judges 20:26 battle with tribe of Benjamin
1104 1 Samuel 1:1-28 Hannah fasted and prayed and received a son
1047 1 Samuel 7:6 fasting and Phillistines defeated
1011-971 2 Samuel 12:15-23 David fasted 7 days
874-853 1 Kings 19:8 Elijah went 40 days without food
874-853 1 Kings 21, Ahab fasted and delayed judgment
873-848 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat fasted and defeated Moab and Amon
835-796 Book of Joel calls for a fast (some historical and prophetic info here)
793-753 Jonah 1-4, Nineveh repents and fasts and is spared by God
739-686 Isaiah 58, the prophet speaks about fasting
539 Daniel 9:1-27 Daniel fasted and received a revelation
537 Daniel 10:1-21 Daniel fasted 3 weeks
483-473 Esther 4, Esther and others fasted and saved her nation
458 Ezra 8:21-23 Ezra fasted for a safe journey (1000 miles, 4 months)
458 Ezra 9 & 10 fasting and repentance
445 Nehemiah 1, 2 Nehemiah fasted and got permission to build Jerusalem
4 BC Luke 2:37 Anna the widow
27 BC Luke 3:21-22 Jesus fasted 40 days
27 AD Luke 5:33-35 John the Baptist and his disciples fasted
32 AD Acts 9:1-9 Saul three days without food
38 AD Acts 10 Cornelius, a Gentile fasted, so did Peter
47 AD Acts 13:1-3 fasting in the church at Antioch, Paul’s first missionary journey
47 AD Acts 14:27 fasted, prayed, ordained elders
56 AD 2 Corinthians 6:4-5; 11:27 Paul mentions fasting
59 AD Acts 27:9 Yom Kippur and verses 33-35 fourteen days of fasting
Fasting.cwk (022509)