Christians: Do you feel that fasting is an important part of the Christian walk or do you feel....?

Question

that this should be ignored?

Jesus fasted for 40 days and when He was talking about this He said when you fast not if. I feel this is an important part of spirtiual growth but is highly ignored by the Church. I feel that if we include this it will help us be more like Christ. Thougts?

When I fast I like to do a Daniel Fast for 21 days. I also like to cut media, like TV, video games and anything secular.

Answer 1

Yes, I agree. Fasting is not an option, I don't think, but a commandment. There are different kinds of fasts. The bible doesn't say "if you fast" but rather "when you fast, do not as the hypocrites do"...It is a vital part of spiritual growth. It is not fun or easy, so people don't want to pay the price to further themselves spiritually. I, too, have trouble in fasting sometimes...but I believe that it is important to continue to try. God sees our heart.

Answer 2

My church is really into fasting. I do believe it has spiritual benefits. I fast sometimes but I really don't like it! But then again, I don't think we are necessarily supposed to love it. Some of my friends love fasting because of the spiritual benefits it brings. I think it is really important to find a balance. I have 3 small kids and a very busy life so I don't think I could ever fast for 40 days although I know people who have done it. When Jesus fasted for 40 days, he was able to put aside all distracts and focus only on God. When I fast it is usually just a meal a day or maybe a full day.

Answer 3

Yes it makes you more conscious of the reason why you are hungry. it is a sacrifice that helps you feel like you are "putting your mouth where your prayer is" . It makes it so much more true and faithful. not that I fast alot but when I am praying for something intently I fast and during Lent I fast on Friday and give up desert (I love sweets so it really is a sacrifice)
I don't mind doing it.
Our pastor is pretty high on this type of sacrifice - not to the point of starvation but 1 day with only 1 fullmeal and 2 small snacks will suffice. One must always drink alot of water though. Your health must never suffer for this. That is not what Jesus was talking about...
Thanks for the question. It's a goodie!

Answer 4

My son and I are doing a little rapid too, however in a different way. He has been already a few eight weeks wherein he most effective eats on Fridays after five.30 (That is saturday, simply in case) till Sunday at five.30. Then begins once more fasting (most effective water) until subsequent Friday. The frame enters a level known as "autolysis" and feed itself on now not most effective fats but in addition - for the ill men and women - even from tumours. In many circumstances those dissapear. No sugar, no beef, no fish with out scales, no fats (butter), no crustaceous (shell fish), no precooked foods, we are actually cooking via ourselves and support moma. I had been doing the equal, however istead - given that of my age and my much less force - I have little or no to consume (I will have a sardine can with a tomato and occasional). I'm doing now for the 3rd week. Be cautious you don't pass overboard and the 'factor' turns into a situation along with your character. How a lot you weight? Mine and my son's weight is dangerous. Mine is (used to be, idk how a lot I'm down now) 217 lbs. My son heavier, however now he wears a couple of pants he had now not been in a position to put on for years!! Be cautious. Discuss and get the aid of the loved ones I could advise. Nothing fallacious with that. "Honour your moms and dads" says the Law, no?

Answer 5

I believe that fasting combined with prayer IS an important part of the Christian walk. It helps you to bring your flesh under subjection. I believe that if I were not diligent about fasting I would not have been able to break certain bondages in my life and neither would I have been able to stand up against the temptation of the flesh.

Most Churches engage in corporate fast..however... since we all have different weaknesses..... it is also advised to have your personal fast .... in essence it is a way of focusing on your strength instead of your weaknesses....

Answer 6

Fasting is awesome, and it IS definitely under-taught in the churches I've been to. It teaches me to ignore my flesh and depend on God for my sustenance.

One thing that we do wrong, too, is try to make fasting easy. It isn't easy, and isn't supposed to be! Let's stop telling people to "fast television" or "fast sweets", and treat those like real fasts. There may be value to those things, but there is nothing like living without calories for a few days. Almost everyone CAN do it, if they want to. Stop being wimpy about it! We do our fellow Christians a disservice by teaching them that it's just as good to skip dessert for a few days as it is to really pinch the flesh, and put it in its place.

Answer 7

I think it varies from person to person. Fasting might help one person be more spiritual, while it might distract someone else. It should be a personal choice.

Also, some people aren't able to fast, at least not with food -- people who are diabetic or are hypoglycemic would be putting themselves in danger by giving up food.

At a point, we all give certain things up for our faith, because we feel it helps us become closer to God. I don't think that sacrificing food is anymore important than any other sacrifices that we make for our beliefs.

Answer 8

Well if you're Jewish...or Muslim...or Buddhist then fasting would be mandated at specific times of the year...and for specific periods of time...as part of the religious doctrine...in Christianity it's a little different...Jesus was Jewish...and followed the Jewish mandates of fasting...but he never said to his disciples to go out and spread the belief of fasting...like his teaching on prayer...his teaching on fasting was "when you do it"..."do it as such"...he actually taught more on prayer, belief and obedience to God than fasting or anything else...

Answer 9

It is one of the 3 elements listed in the Sermon on the Mount. Fasting , almsgiving, prayer.

Answer 10

I teach a youth group & we did a week of fasting recently. I dont think it is nessessary but it is a time that brings you close to God. I told the kids to pick something that they do, drink, or eat a lot. I chose sweet tea bc it was something that I drink often.