Can anyone explain about fasting?

Question

I have a big issue I am searching for an answer about, and I feel led to fast and pray tomorrow. I have never fasted before and I was wondering if anyone could help me understand the proper way to do so. I have heard there are various levels of fasting, looking forward to the answers.

Answer 1

Fasting can be a wonderful spiritual experience. Those who never fast and pray miss a spiritual exercise which has been a blessing to many throughout the ages. A person in good health may choose to forego occasional meals in order to focus on devotion to God. Not only are there spiritual benefits, but many doctors agree that there are also health benefits. The early church found prayer and fasting valuable when seeking the guidance of God for making important decisions such as choosing spiritual leaders; see Acts 13:2-3 and 14:23. God will honor and bless anyone who will fast and pray in the right spirit.

When Jesus fasted (Luke 4:2), we are told He ate nothing. It meant in all probability that He abstained from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water. This type of fast may be called the "normal fast." There are also a few examples in the Bible of the "absolute fast" which means abstaining from drinking water as well as from eating, as in Ezra 10:6. In Esther 4:16, Queen Esther instructs Mordecai, "Fast for me, Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do." See also Paul's fast in Acts 9:9. Other examples are in Deuteronomy 9:9, Exodus 34:28 and 1 Kings 19:8. This method of fasting is an exceptional measure for an extremely unusual situation. One would need to be very sure of the leading of the Lord to undertake any fast for longer than three days or one which excludes liquid. A doctor's advice would be very important.

There is also the "partial fast" which is a restriction on certain foods or certain meals, as in Daniel 10:3 and 1 Kings, chapter 17. This method is used today by some who omit one meal a day and spend that time in prayer. Biblical fasting can be public as well as private, regular as well as occasional, involuntary as well as voluntary. For a detailed discussion on fasting, we suggest the books "God's Chosen Fast" by Arthur Wallis and "Hunger for God" by John Piper. These books would be available through a Christian bookstore.


Granny

Answer 2

Fasting approach restraining from consuming forged and viable beverages often for a interval of time. In the clinical area your physician would prescribe a detailed laboratory scan that require a quick. When on the subject of fasting in Religion, the perception, train and educating would possibly fluctuate by way of a detailed church or religion. Fasting used to be and nonetheless in these days is train. There are exclusive approaches that a believer would quick. Yes you'll pass with out meals one hundred%, However it's the duration and kind of quick that's performed. There are a number of scriptures that you'll study for your self to get a higher know-how, I wish this reply your query.

Answer 3

A Biblical fast involves a denying of one's natural desires and even bodily needs,to devote a specific amount of time to seeking things of the spirit...Soulish pleasures are also placed on the back burner at this time....The idea,is to open a more clear channel for the ear of the spirit to drink in spiritual food from God...

Fasting is often practiced to know the will of God or for an answer to a specific need...

One should abstain from bodily nourishment during a fast but should not abstain from water....some practice a "form" of fasting that includes various juices....((Turns red faced,as I have not fasted in a long while))

Answer 4

Just don't eat. Normally a single day of fasting won't get answers. Normally it has to be multiple days. And don't believe the story man needs food within 7 days. The record fast is I believe around 67 days.

Being Native Indian, I "smoke" during my fasting times to reach the level faster. My longest is around a week, I didn't 100% fast, had about 1 little debbie per day along with "smoke". But got all the answers I was after and then some.

What you are doing in fasting is cleaning the body to talk to G_D. It takes on average 3 days to get food and such in and through the body. Now what will freak you out... you will still do no.2 during fasting, even days into it. Let sciene figure that one out. For the bible says G_D will feed you.

PS: I just sat at home, on the computer and napped off and on, no real bed time during all my fast. I just led G_D lead me by my right hand as He says. And was led to site after site, vid after vid, online bible passage after passage. Giving me all my answers.

Answer 5

The purpose is spiritual purification,so water is acceptable but not food. The concept is that fasting reduces your identification with your physical and thus enhances your sense of yourself as an eternal soul,as a spirit-being,rather than a creature of clay that looses meaning when it parts from it's mortal coils.

Answer 6

The "minister" who answered first is a fraud.

Fasting is difficult. We are so self centered, in our sinful state, that we just want what we want. We must break the addiction to this world, to see what awaits us in the next one.

Fasting is to help you concentrate on reality!Let God be your focus, and give up things that "weigh you down" when you "run the race" He has set before you.

Fasting from food is not the only fast. I fasted from TV and movies for years. I watch TV again, but I will never return to the film theatre again to watch Hollywood's vile and viloent soft porn!

I stopped dringking in my thirties. Instead of drinking wine, I eat grapes.

My kid bro quit eating meat, and found he could pet his dogs with a "clear conscience".

Also, believe it of not, eating beef causes global warming. Check it out, don't just take my word for it.

My dear wife, who went to bible school, is fasting from all red meats (a "partial fast"), eating only poultry and fish.

She is into saving the planet too, plus healthy foods to take care of the "temple", buying organic foods that do not pollute our land and water (not our bodies) reducing global warming and toxic cancer causes.

Fast from something, and re-focus on living right, and serving God! The worse the thing you fast from, the harder it is; but the BETTER in the long run, for you, and all of us.

What mankind has done to His earth, AND THEIR OWN BODIES is a terrible sin against the next generation!

When we waste, we rob the next generation. We need to save the planet, and witness to lost souls, because we all share a planet that is like a leaky lifeboat.

God is not a sugar daddy. We owe Him everything we have. He gave all for us. We need to give all for Him.

At least, if that is too much for you today, FAST from something, and allow yourself to exercise your spiritual strength.

Answer 7

You may find good teaching on the subject at this website.
You may be able to find something in the archived radio programs (free), or else you can get Derek's book "Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting", or maybe find a tape or CD.

http://www.derekprince.org/site/PageServer

Answer 8

fasting is not just not eating...fasting is abstaning yourself from the things you spend alot of time on or think of....its a wy to purify yourself and cler your mind..fasting is just a way to feel the presence of God easier by just dedicating your time to God abstaning your self from food tv shopping etc...it be really hard to pray with a very ful stomach or having watched 10 hours of tv...instead of praying you probably be thinking of what o eat or what you watched etc... fasting provides a separation of what you do on a regular basis forgeting about the world for a while and meditate on God AND THAT definitly helps you get closer to him because your not thinking on other things so theres no levels its all up to you youcan fast 1day 2 hours it depends on you till you feel like youve gotten closer to God and you are content with your prayer and satisfied that youll get an answer. its easier to get an answer from God when your mind& body are clear and pure abstining your self maybe from food distraction can help you achieve that.

Answer 9

fasting : to set aside time or something that one normally does in order to spend time with God . Sunday school is a form of fasting. Bible study is a form of fasting . turning off you TV and reading your Bible when you normally watch TV is a form of fasting . many different ways , doesn't matter which you choose , just choose and do it.

Answer 10

#1. Take the fork out of your mouth.

#2. There is no Number Two.