This question is for Christians who were led to fast by God, not fasting which was undertaken for weight loss, internal cleansing, group fasting, and other personal decisions.
What is the longest time God has called you to fast? Did you have energy to continue your daily activities during that time? What did you notice in terms of spriritual maturity, and a stronger relationship with God? What were you finally able to learn during your fast, that you couldn't discern before?
Also, this is slightly off topic, but out of curiosity, did you have bowel movements during that time?
2006-11-27 17:48:54 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fasting, when taken as a sacred vow*, must be approached in a methodical and gradual manner. Here's my personal experience for the last couple of years, which may or may not apply to you:
Ideally, you start with a 24-hour Fast [dusk to dusk] that you do every so often until you can regularize it to coincide with the consecration of each Sabbath, i.e., once a week. The method that I used to "ease" myself into this routine was, first of all, to reduce my daily food intake from three meals to two meals only.
Then you slowly work your way up to a two-day Fast; then the next round you try to make it a three-day Fast; and so on, until you are able to extend your fasting for much longer periods of time. Personally I saw to it that each Fast would always end after the end of Sabbath [Saturday night], at which point one would relish a 'Thanksgiving' meal.
SIDE EFFECTS: By the third day of your Fast you may begin to feel some metabollic changes: being light on your feet; feeling dizzy, light-headed, and even hallucinate at times. But your body metabolism will normalize once you get past this stage should you decide to proceed further. Another side effect is that you will also emit a certain body odor which are the toxins being expelled by your system during the Fast.
It is HIGHLY ADVISABLE to drink lots of FRESH WATER throughout the day and night while you Fast in order to avoid dehydration and also to help with your bowel movement. You may substitute water intake with other liquid drinks that will help replenish your spent calories. In other words, Fasting can be done using the Liquid Diet parameters, i.e., NO SOLID FOODS at all.
So far I have only made it to a seven-day Fast that culminated on my last birthday --the day that I baptized myself into The Brotherhood. That was quite a Thanksgiving meal I truly enjoyed.
Peace be with you!
2006-11-27 18:48:08 · answer #1 · answered by Arf Bee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For spiritual reasons I have fasted for two days. I feel the last twelve hours or so I was beginning to realize that I could look past my physical needs and begin to feel a sense of freedom from self. Two days was what our church had suggested for those who wished to participate. It was on a weekend so that most people were not working. Also, anyone who had a health issue was encouraged to support the others by prayer and not fasting. At no time was anyone made to feel that the "fasters" were in any way spiritually superior.
2016-03-28 22:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The longest I was ever led to fast food is 2 weeks.
At first I was hungry and lethargic, but after 4 days I had just as much energy as I did before I started, and I continued to work out.
I drew closer t God, and was able to hear Him more clearly, and see things in the natural, and supernatural.
Yes, you have bowel movements no matter how long you fast.
2006-11-27 20:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every year my church goes on a coporate fast for 40 days and 40 nights since 40 is the # for change. We start of by skipping meals then the last week go down to just fluids unless your diabetic or something then you fast in moderation to your diet. You should be praying and fasting you'll see that when you submit you start craving all other kinds of sins because your flesh is fighting back hence praying without ceasing. then the more you meditate the more God reveals himself to you on another level and you aren't focusing on your lack but the Spirit while being purged the whole time
2006-11-27 18:32:03 · answer #4 · answered by mimi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when I was going to college I was very poor and every Sunday I fast from morning to next morning, I drank only water all day. It was partly a health issue (I use to be much more of a health nut than I am now) and it was partly to save on food. I was one of those starving students who'd spend 5 cents on a styrofoam cup at the school cafeteria and then walk to the coffee condiments and fill it up with the milk.
God has never 'called' me to fast, only once to be a nun (seriously) I got scared and ran ionto the room where the other catholic girl borders were.
2006-11-27 17:57:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mt ~^^~~^^~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
36 days was the longest...water only. But be careful with fasts of this duration. Very dangerous coming off of them. Know what you are doing and consider your current health status. But a 3-5 day fast is generally very beneficial...and an awesome way to get closer to the Lord, and develop greater resistence to the desires of the flesh!
2006-11-27 17:53:57 · answer #6 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some Christians fast 50 days in Egypt where they are not allowed to eat meat or animal products may be except dairy.
2006-11-27 19:03:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not have time to fast. As an officer in God army i must eat sleep WAR againt the evil Prophet Mohamed and his child molestin minons.
2006-11-27 17:54:00 · answer #8 · answered by Aisha 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sorry not xtian, but:
"fasted" once for three weeks straight on teas and water.
realized there are no ordinary moments
at the end, felt like I could go another three.
2006-11-27 17:51:43 · answer #9 · answered by ỉη ץ٥ڵ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I once fasted from breakfast to dinner. I felt hungry. My revelation was that I should have had lunch. While I didn't poop, I DID fart a few times.
2006-11-27 17:55:14 · answer #10 · answered by Pie's_Guy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋