fast

[meisie mabala]

If I want to fast how do I start and what is the purpose of fasting? What I know is that there is a dry fast and you can fast drinking liquids not eating food. If there is anyone who can explain it to me it must be simple and easy explanation so that i can understand because i can do it but what if i dont understand the purpose of it that means i have done something that i dont know the purpose of it. Please help me out.

[sandra v villamero]

Hi meisie...for me prayer and fasting is very effective, I dont know with others. I could not eleborate but for me to fast is something an offering or a bit of sacrifice ....but I will leave you to pastor Steve Raper for I am just a servant of God, simple one.

[Sathish Kumar ( Dan )]

Hi Meisie Please check this Url this is answer all ur questions about Fasting http://www.godsquad.com/prayer/prayerandfast.htm

God Bless U

Sathish

[barva smith brown]

my understanding on fast i don't know if many people would agree with my few but i do .you fast when you want the power of god to move more stranger in your life feed the sprite with words and prayer instead of food read easter 4 verse 15and because of this fast you see that she got favour from the king to save her family there is a lot of events that take place in the bible that would not be done with out fasting there is even a time that god disciple could not get read of a sprite and god told them that these things could only come by prayer and fasting. i could tell you more but i am trying to keep it short god bless you in your quest .

[JAMES FINBORG]

PRAYER AND FASTTING WIL BRING US CLOSER TO GOD. I HAVE FASTED ONCE AND GOD SHOWED ME VISIONS OF HEAVEN IT WAS BEYOND ANY WORDS THIS WAS IN 1989- 90 GOD WILL OPEN DOORS IN YOUR LIFE YOU CANT AMAGINE. BUT PRAY BEFORE YOU FAST AS JESUS TAUGHT. MAKE IT LOOK AS YOUR NOT FASTING THERE IS A BLESSING IN THIS ALSO. PRAISE GOD. HOPE THIS HELPS. JAMES

[Theresa]

Dear Meisie,

Why should I fast?
I got this from Jenzten Franklin website...
Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
Do you desire to know God's will for your life?

This is my experience with fasting and it is based on my reading the scriptures,
You can start fasting one day a week with only water and or pure juice, make sure you are praying too and with thankfulness, make sure your heart is clean, no anger or bitterness there.
You can fast three days and three nights with no food ( you can go with No water if God leads you ), you can do this fast alone or ask other believers to join you.
You can fast 10 days or 21 days on only vegetables and fruits, no meat, no sweets, no bread.
You can fast as long as 40 days but make sure you consult your doctor.
Check the bible out, it is full of references on why we should fast and the fast that is pleasing to God and the fast that is not pleasing to Him, Isaiah 58 is the perfect chapter, the book of Esther too....(Matthew 6:16,18) ( Matthew 9:14,15) Luke 18:9,14

Buy books on fasting, surf the internet and may God lead you my sister in Jesus name.

[kathleen aldea]

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.

[jinto thomas]

Dear friend in christ,

First of all let me make it clear that fasting is not something related to taking food or drinking liquids, it is not about how many days you fast or how long the fasting has to be.No body does anything without a meaningful purpose, so in your case i don't know why you want to fast and what you want to acquire? but you have a valid point which makes you to fast. I will tell that you hang on to your purpose of fasting and not the other entities surrounding it.

I have done many fasting and i am not going to say that i am perfect and i know everything about fasting. But to me, i fast when i need something accomplished which is very important to me. Fasting is a way of humbling yourselves before the God and showing your love and eagerness for God, people sometimes fast to get some physical gain but i fast to get spiritual gain or if there is any doubt or some problems which is haunting me.Fasting for me is also a way for to look back at my life and see what God has done for me. It helps me to concentrate on God more specifically and i stay away from the worldly way. It establishes my faith in God stronger and that is the reason why i fast.

With reference to bible i can say to you read isaiah chapter 58, which speaks about true fasting, how fasting should be and what you are to do and so on..., God always want you to be happy and he knows what your desires are even before praying. so don't do something which you don't know and at the end you will lose your faith saying that God does not listen to prayers, because God's ways are different and it says in theBible, " my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are you ways my way, my thoughts and ways are much higher than you think, my thoughts are a way for your prosper. If you have still doubt, go to your church and ask your priest, he might be able to give you much simple and easy way to fast, he might even teach you how to fast. But as a whole the idea of prayer and fasting is the main focus on God. God bless you friend..

[Jacob Israel]

Meisie, I wrote a poem about Fasting, I am going to share it here, it has a lot of truth in it. I hope you enjoy it.

THE FAST AND THE DEAD

Declare a Fast in the land," said the Pastor with microphone in hand, but these words he did not understand.

Just more control is what he wanted to show, the words of God he did not know.

"For four, or forty days, as a congregation we'll pray until God gives us what we say." And so like children the Pastor and his flock continued their play.

Whether only juice, water, or bread, this is the way it is always said when a fast is declared in the land of the dead.

Man takes God's truth and turns it to lies. It all about man's works, not the truth, for the truth they despise.

If this wasn't so the true meaning of fasting they would know. Their spirit would be fed and their understanding would grow.
They would stop with the lies, manipulation and control, they would see the word of God in the only thing we can fast from, if the truth be told.

Shall the children fast when their Father is here? Can they ever be hungry when their daily bread is near? Their bread, which is the revelation of God's Word made clear. How can we fast from something so dear? Unless we are ignorant of God's truth and cannot hear.

It's not literal food that feeds our soul, it’s not literal food we fast from, it is the Word of God that is sown. In the wilderness we are tempted with lies and it is hard for God to show the truth we need to know because our minds a filled with the lies these pastors, priests and so-called prophets blow.

Listen carefully before you follow a man made fast. If you follow vain tradition, and ignorant teachers, you follow the wrong teachers down the wrong path.

We are the body and the bread that is broken. The water is the Word we’re immersed in, the sincere milk is the rudiments of God's word spoken. The Fish and the Sheep are women and men that seek. The meat is revelation that is quite deep, the honey is enlightenment that opens yours eyes so you can see. In the Promise Land there is no fasting or hunger for you and me.

So don't be like the disciples of John and those that follow after the teaching of those that are less than the least in the kingdom. The law and the prophets bring death, but Christ brings liberty, peace, righteousness and freedom.

Jacob
www.JacobIsrael.org
"The Truth Will Change You"