Christians, what are the proper ways to fast?

Question

I've onced attempted fasting before to try to find God's will for my life and gave up before the night was over, feeling discouraged that I would not hear from him.

For those of you who has fasted, is praying and reading the Bible all you did, minute to minute? (i mean besides using the restroom). I want to pray but I run of out things to say after praying intensely for 10 or 15 minutes and I find myself repeating myself. How long should I try to fast if I'm a beginner? And what about sleep? Are you supposed to not sleep at all if you say you will fast for three days?

I need some serious guidance for my life right now, and I know fasting is a form of seeking God's will. If you have some experience to share with me on how to fast, I would appreciate it greatly.

wow, thanks so much everyone. i didn't think i was going to get as many replies this fast and am going to read each one very carefully.

Thank you :)

wow, thanks so much everyone. i didn't think i was going to get as many replies this fast and am going to read each one very carefully.

Thank you :)

Answer 1

For your first time, try fasting a whole day. You don't have to continuously pray. Just go about your everyday life. Praying when you feel your heart is heavy. God will reveal himself through your daily life. Praying helps God see that you truely want/need a certain thing like help or guidance etc.

Answer 2

My church does a 7 day fast in January every year. It is an amazing time of relying on God's grace. There are many kinds of fasts, but I'll assume you're doing a water only fast. You usually still have a life to go about, so no, you don't just sit and pray all day.

Something I like to do is every time I have a hunger pang, I take it as a reminder that I'm relying on God today and I shoot a quick prayer stating that to Him. Things like You are the bread of life, man does not live on bread alone, but on the very Word of God.

At mealtimes is when I seclude myself to pray and read the Bible. Do this intentionally. Lay out your petition to God and then Be still. Listen. It's hard, but when you fast, grace is poured out to help you. You may hear directions, you may hear a scripture. Replace food with God. At times when you would eat, seek God. I often throw out tv too when I do this, as it is a mindless distraction.

Fasting is a sacrifice, a way of saying "God, I am desparate to hear from you" The timeline and the "what" that you fast are between you and God. How bad do you want it? How much are you willing to sacrifice? Don't give up early, if you make a goal with God, trust that He will sustain you through it. He may not speak right away, just wait on Him. Wait in His presence.

I did 7 days once without ever feeling hunger. It was an amazing week. I know it had results.

Answer 3

Go to www.bible.com, go to bible answers and click on top 20 categories. Then go to fastening it will break it all down from the bibles point of view k. There are three types of fast the bible talks about and this lady explains it to the tee I promise you. And fastening doesn't all way have to to be food sweetheart. It can be denying yourself tv or the phone something you really love to show God your fareal. As far as the praying goes. Prayer, Praise, Worship, Travail, Fasting and speaking in tounge are the keys to the kingdom and these things help you in your prayer life. When you began to build a relationship with God theres no way 10 or 15 minutes at least thats how you will feel because he is so great! And you don't have to wait a set time to pray all the time pray and talk to him throughout the day. I'm only 16 and it helps me out a great bunch.

Answer 4

There's more than one way to fast, dear.

A hard fast requires that no sold food be ingested for 24 hours and no liquids other than a few sips of water during that same time.

The usual fast is to eat a standard meal in the early evening and then neither eat nor drink until midmorning the next day.

Then there are the partial fasts (mostly abstaining from certain kinds of food and eating very small amounts)

If you decide to fast and pray, don't start with a hard fast. That just shocks the body and destroys your brain's ability to concentrate.

Choose a time when you're not likely to be hungry anyway. Pray the prayers of choice that you have previously chosen. Sit quietly, in a quiet place for a few minutes. Say "Thank you" to God for listening and get on with your day.

Increase the time between meals, OR decrease the amount of food ingested. Increase prayers and time spent listening quietly. Do this over a period of weeks. It gets easier as your body becomes habituated. Gradually your body will shut up and you can really start to hear that "still, small voice" within. THEN you and God can get down to snuggling and talking together. It's worth the effort.

Answer 5

first you have to know the idea of fast. It is to strength your spirit and spiritual needs over body and senseual need.
second,fast is a change in life attitude in general meaning that it is benefitless that you do not eat or pray while you are ding something bad and also it does not mean to stay all day and night praying and reading the Bible you have to work or do what you are doing in your life.
third,to fast probably ,begin gradually.this is the best way. do not push hard on yourself.for praying begin to pray at the very morning (to be the first thing to do)so that you ve your day blessed and pray once or twice aday again then once more before you go to bed .for reading the Bible begin also gradually meaning at first begin to read a chapter or two only daily then increase them.But it is important to begin gradually in order to increase your activity on the future not going back again because going back again will be hard for you again (not imposible but hard)to continue.so keep in mind to begin gradually.
fourth,you have to have a guide ( a wise person that has experience in spiritual matters )to guide you and it is better to be specific one because he will know you better and by the time will know everything about your fast and will be able to guide you much better.
Another important thing is to ask God's help and guidness.
i hope you find something useful in this God help and bless you.

Answer 6

Personally, I do not think there are rules to fasting. And No, I have never just sat and prayed and read the bible all day. Usually I will give myself a set amount of time one - three days MAX. Any more than that, and you are going to start losing body mass.

The point of fasting is to bring your mind to what you are asking God for everytime you feel hungry. Its also a symbol of "giving up" something so God knows you are very serious in your request.

Dont demand answers from God. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes its no, and sometimes its "wait for the answer". Although fasting can get you more focused, its not a guarenteed pathway to God.

You can also choose to fast from 'things' on the same days you fast from food. If you REALLY love playing video games/watching movies/tv etc, then it would be logical for you to give them up to free more space in your mind to focus on the task at hand.

I hope this helps! God Bless!

Answer 7

First of all, make sure that it is the Lord that is inspiring you to fast, or else it will not have the results that will be benificial to you.
Before fasting, talk with the Lord and tell Him why you believe you need to fast and ask Him what, when and how it should be done, because God does it differently for each person.
Fasting is a cleansing process. It cleanses all the toxic impurities out of your body as well as your brain, and spiritually the temple of the Holy Spirit which is you.
The first time you fast, do it for an hour, like lunch time. Instead of eating lunch, sit down and pray or read your bible.Just empty your mind of all your earthly thoughts and concentrate on God. You can just worship Him or sing songs of praise to Him also. You don't necessarily have to pray or read Scripture. But He should be the center of your thoughts, even if you carry on with any activities while fasting.
Some people make fasting into a ritual whereby it looses all meaning and purpose, so it's best to fast only when the Lord Himself suggests it to you. Sometimes we need to fast and pray because God will prepare us for some situation or crises that is going to come along. Other times God just wants us to get closer and more in tune with His plans and purpose. Other times we are called to fast in order to make a breakthrough.
There are many books on fasting and they are good to use in order to learn about the different fasts, and the different stages of fasting.
I have learned that by starting off gradually with one meal works the best. After a few times, then try it for two meals. Then again, later try it for a day. After several times of fasting for a day, then you can try it for two days, and then three. Make sure you have plenty of days inbetween each time that you attempt to fast. I only fast a few times in a one year period. It is not something you do every week, maybe only three or four times a year. A three to five day fast is most common for people who have done it for awhile. You can also learn to do a partial fast, where you only allow yourself liquids like water and juice or herb teas.
As you fast you will be surprised at how refreshed and renewed your mind and body will feel. And your spirit will be more tuned into God. Bless you on your new venture with the Lord.

Answer 8

Although there is nothing wrong with fasting, you really do not need to do that to determine God's will. And certainly you should not be going without sleep.

If you seek serious guidance in your life right now, then go to God in prayer. He does not require that you refrain from eating. James 4:8 says draw close to God and he will draw close to you. 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God's will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. This is his will for all men. You too.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 9

I recommend fasting for a 24 hour period as a beginning. Allow your self to drink water and even 100% juice occasionally. Spend time in prayer and reading scriptures. Listen to a worship CD and join in. Also see if you can find a friend to fast with you. Maybe just to fellowship with and have a spiritual discussion. When you are seeking God will for your life remember sometimes he will not reveal a specific will. He has already laid out his will for you in His Word. Many times God chooses to speak to you through His Word or even through others.

During your fasting there is nothing wrong with doing other things. Maybe find a way to help a neighbor. Service projects are always good to particpate it. Maybe go around doing random acts of kindness for people. Its ok to have God honoring fun during your fast also. Like playing a game or something like that. You can also go to work during your fasting time.

If you have more questions or just want someone to talk to feel free to IM me.

Answer 10

I fast on Sunday mornings before church. I don't think a fast has to be for days and days, although it can. You can fast just one thing, sugar, bread, meat, ect.

If you are seriously seeking, and I believe that you are, pray dillegently, not a total verbal prayer all the time. In Romans it says we can have all kinds of prayer. Groaning, and in the spirit. Praise and worship to music can be a form of prayer.

Praying for you now for wisdom.

Don't forget to pray the scripture over your life. Eph. 1 and 3 are both strong prayer for wisdom and guidence.

be blessed in you walk, vicki