Okay could somebody please help me understand fasting?
Like are you supposed to not eat certain things or anything?
How long are you supposed to fast?
What is it done for? And what is its relation to prayer?
2007-10-04 14:14:33 · 9 answers · asked by fullofideas4u 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fasting today can be whatever you and God agree on. The reason people fast (in Christian terms) are to reconnect or earnestly seek God's wisdom and feel his presence. You can fast for as long or as little as you want. You may fast for only lunch meaning one day you do not eat lunch or for 24 hours you will not eat.... You can also fast from things like music, or TV, or something else that you feel will get in the way of getting closer to God. You may want to give up TV for a week to see what happens or fast and pray for a friend who is really sick. Fasting basically every time you take something away you want it and remember that you cannot have it and then remember why you cannot have it.... For instant you fast for 24 hours of all food.... every time you are hungry you go to God and you ask him to sustain you by His bread, you ask for his guidance and if it is for someone you are praying for you constantly bring that person before God. Throughout the day you constantly connect with God and really keep your heart open to what He says.
I hope that helps….Sometimes it is easier to think it than it is to explain it….
2007-10-04 14:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by bobbo342 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are different kinds of fasting. It is what you want to make it or in other words, what you want to give up to study and commune with God.
If you fast, no one else is to know about it but it is between you and God/Jesus only.
You choose the length of time you give up these things.
Fasting is to give more time to praying and reading the Bible so that you can gain a closer walk with the Savior.
Normally fasting is for a day and you do not eat food during the day and only have water to drink. You spend every moment of your time communing with God. If you must do other things, you do them and then continue to study and pray to Him.
Without prayer a part of your fast, it is worthless. It should be done with prayerful study.
2007-10-04 14:25:24 · answer #2 · answered by mesquiteskeetr 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are many ways to fast. I have done a 38 day total fast from food. It is challenging, but incredibly profitable spiritually speaking.
Through fasting we learn to submit our bodies (the flesh) to our will (which should agree with the will of God.) We learn to deny our bodies their natural desires. The effect this has is to sharpen our resolve and quicken the spirit. Basically, this places us in a very malleable position where God can truly go to work on us. Its amazing.
There are some very important things to know before you begin fasting. I would recommend doing some reading into the area of spiritual disciplines, and of course the scripture, to gain a correct understanding of the disciplines, why we should engage in them, and the potential pitfalls for misusing them.
A few recommendations:
The Spirit of the Disciplines, Richard Foster
Celebration of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard
7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer, Bill Bright
5 Steps to Fasting & Prayer Leader's Guide, Bill Bright (which goes into much greater detail and study of the scriptural basis for these disciplines.)
And, prayerful consideration and petitioning of the Lord for guidance toward this.
Good luck, and be blessed.
2007-10-04 14:25:02 · answer #3 · answered by krankincrimpers 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The catholic church used to have a couple of fast days and for a while every friday .But they have changed the Friday thing. Fasting is abstaining from food and some times drink its up to you if you want to fast and for how long but there is a lot of prayer that you should be doing also
2007-10-04 14:28:30 · answer #4 · answered by the only 1 hobo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a supplement to the other answers I am posting a quotation from the tail end of the page that Father K's post links to:
"The following statement is extremely important to consider when we speak of fasting and fasting rules in the Church. 'At all times it is essential to bear in mind that "you are not under the law but under grace" (Rom. 6:14), and that "the letter kills, but the spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6). The rules of fasting, while they need to be taken seriously, are not to be interpreted with dour and pedantic legalism; "for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17).'"
2007-10-04 15:33:41 · answer #5 · answered by wilsonch0 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fasting is eating nothing. I can't imagine how Christians could not do something any differently than anyone else.
2007-10-04 14:18:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
to truly fast you must not eat any food nor drink any liquid for the entire time you are fasting.
2007-10-04 14:17:37 · answer #7 · answered by Obed (original) 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
theres two types. one is where you dont eat anything but you drink water/ fruit juice.
the other one is where you can eat fruits and drink water/ fruit juice.
hope this helps.
2007-10-04 14:22:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's different for all different types of Christians.
If you want to make your head explode...try to follow this regimen:
2007-10-04 14:21:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
here
2007-10-04 14:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋