Im being serious
2007-06-15 11:43:38 · 6 answers · asked by Icky 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are several kinds of fasts, the last one I did was a daniel fast (only juice, water, some fruit and vegs. but not much for 10 days). Then pray, pray, pray. Having worship times helped, you might want to listen to praise on fire (http://www.praiseonfire.com ) or go to http://www.ihop.org (int. house of prayer) and watch their live worship/prayer. Things like that make it easier to keep your focus.
2007-06-15 11:52:15 · answer #1 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Follow the prescriptions of the Church.
In Orthodox calendars, for example, you maintain a strict vegan diet on Wednesdays and Fridays (and Mondays in some jurisdictions), as well as during the four great fasts of the year (one in Spring, Winter, Fall, and Summer). Some days are full fasts, such as Holy Saturday.
Incidentally, these fasting regulations have been practiced since the earliest decades of the Christian era, and are mentioned in the Didache (c. 2nd century). You can look up the specifics online. The fasts are also balanced with feasts, and there are Scripture readings and lives of certain saints assigned to each day of the fast.
Remember not to be legalistic about it. Any money you save from fasting should be donated to charity. Fasting regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Roman Catholic rules are less stringent than the Greek Churches, which are less stringent than the Russian Churches.
2007-06-15 18:50:22 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It kind of puts one body in its place. It doesn't directly bring one closer to God in the sense that God is impressed with the good deed, its just we have a lot of unbelief due to our sensual nature - our reliance on the 5 senses. Fasting gets the sensuality under some control, and so faith increases. Thats what I learn anyway from Pastor Dave Roberson's teachings at www.prayercentermedia.com .
If you want to do longer fasts you should definitely research really well, and take sensible precautions. This is because it is a strain on the body so one has to know what one's doing. I heard of one chap eating a large meal after a long fast - and he died, as his stomach of course had shrunk and couldn't handle the big meal. There is some rule of thumb they use - someting like fast 10 days, and take 10 days to get back to normal meal sizes. Also if you have serious health problems you'd have to be very careful. One should never fast water as it is extremely necessary for our bodies to function.
I've only ever managed fasts for a few days.
The Western church should probably do it a lot more.
2007-06-15 18:57:03 · answer #3 · answered by Cader and Glyder scrambler 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You do not need to fast to get closer to God. Just open the Bible and tell Him you want to be closer to Him. I think the best fast that anyone with the desire to draw close to God is the fast that eliminates all worldly distractions from your life. Things that will distract you from coming to Him and communing with Him. So go someplace quiet, read the Bible, and ask the Lord to speak to you personally.
2007-06-15 18:47:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The process is all about self...If you can control your will and put your faith in god you prove devotion...Dont hurt yourself.
2007-06-15 18:48:03 · answer #5 · answered by yayyo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read the Bible and pray. Spend time with Him.
2007-06-15 18:47:18 · answer #6 · answered by BucketOKnowledge 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋