I am a Christian.How do I fast to get closer to God. I don't necessarily want to lose weight at all, just get closer to God. It is my first time and I am a child. If it is not healthy I will only do it for a day and I am doing it because I am seeking God's help in a special event. If I am not supposed to fast at all, is there any other way to get closer to God that equals fasting? I lift my hands up to Him for 10 minutes not stopping. I did not mind the pain and gave glory to God.What is the significance of laying down face to the ground, kneeling, fasting, and lifting of the hands? I am asking Him to let me win an event... a very important one.. a spelling bee. Please don't laugh .This is very, very important to me and I put so much effort in it and am a devoted Christian, an international Christian.and I really want to get to know God more and get closer to Him.
2007-11-10 18:45:15 · 21 answers · asked by KayleeR 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Honey, God doesn't really help people obtain the things they want (like, I want a sports car or phat house and bling). He can't really make you win the Spelling Bee. God is more like a best friend in that respect, and while you can (and He wants you to) talk to Him, He can't just grant your every wish. It's all in God's Will, and if you do not win that Spelling Bee, I am sure there is a reason for it.
As for fasting, it's all in what you believe. I am Jewish, and we have to fast for 24 hours straight for Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. It's a day when you ask forgiveness for your sins and fast. The more meaningful it is for you, the more you will get out of it. It's not so much the physical act that brings you closer to God, it's the faith and meaning you put behind the act.
God Bless you and I hope this helps.
P.S. You don't need to hurt yourself for God (holding your hands up for 10 minutes and disregarding the pain). God is loving, caring, and good, and I am sure would never want to see anyone be in pain for His benefit. I am sure He would be much happier if you did a good deed instead, like help your teacher without being asked or sharing your lunch with someone who doesn't have one.
2007-11-10 18:54:21 · answer #1 · answered by jennygump98 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi There,
Thank you for the opportunity to answer this.
As s Muslim , the way we fast is this....
Start the Fast in the morning before the sunrise. We Eat little and stop as soon as the first ray of light emerges on the sky.
And we Open the End (Or end/break the fast at sunset).
At Sunset we may start eating and drinking.
During this period of fast , One should refrain from all evil acts like lying , hurting other , joking badly . We should try to be as much humble as possible towards others. Also sexual relations are disallowed during fasting and ofcourse eating ot drinking anything.
Basically the sp[irit to of fast is to learn to self control and realise the Many Bounties God has bestowed on us and to try to Earn His Favour.
This info is certainly the best or most accurate by most accurate to the best of my knowledge.
All mistakes are from me and all good thing is from My God.
Take care and have a nice day.
2007-11-10 18:53:24 · answer #2 · answered by Acid 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you should fast with an honorable intention. Seeking approval or a favor from God is not it. Fasting is supposed to change you, make you aware of your sensations and needs, withdraw from the distraction of appetite, put you in solidarity with the involuntarily hungry of the world. If you see it as a way of manipulating God, you've missed the point of fasting. Study your vocabulary lists and dictionaries and get a good dinner and a good night's rest. Don't expect God to do such work for you.
2007-11-10 18:59:34 · answer #3 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a child and you shouldnt fast at this young age. God knows you need help. Ask him to help you. That doesnt mean God will stand beside you at the spelling bee contest and tell you solutions. Keep putting more effort in to it and ask God to help you and he will not turn down young children who pray to him because he likes them the most.
Dont be stressed. Stay cool.
Getting closer to God is easier as a child since he loves children. Ask him (with no selfishness) and he will grant it to you. If you put effort in to it, then you will see the fruit.
You can fast but I wont recommend you to do it because it could harm you and may ruin your spelling bee contest.
Talk to your parents for guidance and they will help you.
Good Luck
2007-11-10 18:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by !şρÄЯķ! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to fast, then you don't eat. That's how it works. In most religions, growing children are not expected to fast. I'm Jewish, and children under the age of bar/bat mitzvah (12/13) are not generally permitted to fast, as we believe it is bad for their health.
Fasting is the absolute WORST thing you can do if you want to do something intellectual. The brain MUST have glucose to work properly; if you fast, that is not present in the amounts that are required, and your performance will be hindered. God gave us hunger for a reason; eat sensibly, honor your body and the One who provides food, and all will be well.
2007-11-10 19:01:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in islam we fast by not eating or drinking from sunup to sundown, but fasting is also with the tongue and heart, not just the stomach. (not saying anything bad, or doing a single bad deed)
we also believe humbling yourself in front of God (putting your face to the ground while praying) will get you mercy and forgiveness from God more than if you did it sitting up.
I hope you do become closer to God. It is an amazing feeling! Good luck ^_^
2007-11-10 18:49:31 · answer #6 · answered by 412envy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
But what if the other kid at the spelling bee fasts for a day more than you...?
Think about it.... why should god help YOU? What about the other kids....?
To make you win, he would have to punish them by making them lose.
Jeeze, pray for kids in africa with AIDS or something.
You want to get closer to god, start by not being so selfish
2007-11-10 18:58:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
fasting must not be done by anyone who is not a full adult.
secondly, if you want to win a spelling bee, you must study and eat healthily.
God is not a fairie goddmother that grants you wishes regarding such trivial things as an event.
the purpose of prayer is to give thanks for what you have, not to ask for more. if you want to be close to God for such a self-serving reason, you only give him reason to keep his distance from you.
thirdly, God does not want you to suffer. starving yourself or giving yourself pain does not serve the Lord. those are barbaric ideas created by ignorant men in a time of darkness.
monasticsim if born from men who brutally tortured themselves thinking this would get them closer to God. what you are doing is a form of "cutting" and is a very dangerous addiction.
please be informed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-harm
2007-11-10 19:00:49 · answer #8 · answered by eelai000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist, I can't help but laugh at the fact that the only reason you want God on your side is to win a spelling bee. If God does exist, I'm sure he'd be able to see right through this.
2007-11-10 18:48:23 · answer #9 · answered by Nowhere Man 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
if you're not a muslim, you don't have to fast because there's no effect. there's no true religion but Islam. There's no use U live in this world if you're not a Muslim. Convert into Islam or you'll regret in the Day of The Judgement. Very very very regret. Just you wait.
2007-11-10 19:28:57 · answer #10 · answered by oneofthoseboys 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋