How to fast, simply put?

thelord's_pearl said:

Hello,
I was wondering, how do you all Christian fast, if you can tell me in a simply put way, thank you!
And does fasting work for you personally? In what ways?

I feel I need to fast sometimes, but I think of it as something hard.
Thank you for your help.

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This again was a practice established by God to demon.strate what it actually refers to, another "light unto the gentiles" to show the world what was and is now happening.

Life in this world is our fasting experience--that is to say: This is our fasting or doing without God.

We were born into this fasting life without God, and what the fasting "practice" pointed to, and the message, was that "this" (life as we know it) was not to be forever. Therefore, we should know that there is a God at work "dividing the light from the darkness" daily, the end of which is some will be forever without God, and some with God--by our own choosing. Which is why life in this world is biblically referred to as "the valley of decision." This time of fasting (of being without God) is meant to give us the freewill to choose. That is what the fasting practice was for.

Now? You can do it as an example and message to future generations if you want, explaining the reason why God first established the "practice", or you can skip over the practice and just share the message--the point being that life without God--is explained.

Or you can do it for health reasons. For the best results, just read up on it.

thelord's_pearl said:

Hello,
I was wondering, how do you all Christian fast, if you can tell me in a simply put way, thank you!
And does fasting work for you personally? In what ways?

I feel I need to fast sometimes, but I think of it as something hard.
Thank you for your help.

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Consider Isaiah 58.

thelord's_pearl said:

So fasting is sacrificing? Not with food?

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"Fasting" is just abstaining from the things of this world for a period of time in order to focus on God. Food is one traditional way. For married couples, 1 Corinthians 7:5 refers to another traditional way of fasting. Abstaining from social media (like this forum) for a period while focusing on God might be another way.

What you give up (if anything) isn't important; what is important is focusing on God.

ScottA said:

Life in this world is our fasting experience--that is to say: This is our fasting or doing without God.

We were born into this fasting life without God, and what the fasting "practice" pointed to, and the message, was that "this" (life as we know it) was not to be forever. Therefore, we should know that there is a God at work "dividing the light from the darkness" daily, the end of which is some will be forever without God, and some with God--by our own choosing. Which is why life in this world is biblically referred to as "the valley of decision." This time of fasting (of being without God) is meant to give us the freewill to choose. That is what the fasting practice was for.

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You do not explain fasting correctly at all.

Fasting is not being without God, it is the very opposite. Fasting is abstaining from food or other pleasures of the flesh, in order to get closer to God.

One could fast from television, movies, social media, music, literature, shopping, games, sports, or anything that might dilute our experience of God’s presence.

Anchorite said:

You do not explain fasting correctly at all.

Fasting is not being without God, it is the very opposite. Fasting is abstaining from food or other pleasures of the flesh, in order to get closer to God.

One could fast from television, movies, social media, music, literature, shopping, games, sports, or anything that might dilute our experience of God’s presence.

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You have only explained the "practice" of fasting and certain worldly benefits--as if a lack of food actually had power to experience God. But you have not given the actual reason for the practice.

Meanwhile, you presume to correct me--posting what is in your heart--but "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man."

The object of fasting is to suppress the desires and demands of the body.

It's part of spiritual warfare. Yes, it enables us to focus more on God (perhaps by releasing time that would otherwise be spent on shopping, cooking and washing up) - but it also strengthens us spiritually. When combined with prayer, it can 'tip the balance' between getting the desired answer or not. (This isn't because it 'twists God's arm' but because there's often demonic opposition to what we pray for).

Food is the traditional thing to deprive ourselves of - and it can be a 'partial fast', involving just 'luxury' foods such as meat (see Daniel 10:2,3) Total fasting should only be undertaken if you're otherwise healthy. So you can choose how strict and how long your fast is going to be, depending on your personal circumstances. (Set the target sensibly - easy enough to be achievable, but also hard enough to cause you discomfort)

How do I fast? For many years I didn't fast at all, because skipping meals used to give me migraines. Now I don't get migraines any more, so fasting has become an option again. When I fast, I skip one or two meals. However, I don't give up drinking tea because I'd struggle to drink enough of anything else.

Deborah_ said:

The object of fasting is to suppress the desires and demands of the body.

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Good point.

27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27.

ScottA said:

You have only explained the "practice" of fasting and certain worldly benefits--as if a lack of food actually had power to experience God. But you have not given the actual reason for the practice.

Meanwhile, you presume to correct me--posting what is in your heart--but "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man."

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Your lack of understanding Christian spirituality is astonishing. Saying “fasting is doing without God” is very ignorant. When Jesus fasted, He was not doing without God.

Jesus and Moses fasted for 40 days. They did not do it for “worldly benefits”. Nor did I mention any “worldly benefits”, unless you consider getting closer to God to be a “worldly benefit.”

The human body of a believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Fasting can provide improved health and lets the digestive system rest in a sabbath. Denying the body of the fleshly enjoyment of tasting and eating food can enable the mind to focus on spiritual issues and the presence of God.

You may need to read a Bible and start to become familiar with true Christianity.

Anchorite said:

Your lack of understanding Christian spirituality is astonishing. Saying “fasting is doing without God” is very ignorant. When Jesus fasted, He was not doing without God.

Jesus and Moses fasted for 40 days. They did not do it for “worldly benefits”. Nor did I mention any “worldly benefits”, unless you consider getting closer to God to be a “worldly benefit.”

The human body of a believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Fasting can provide improved health and lets the digestive system rest in a sabbath. Denying the body of the fleshly enjoyment of tasting and eating food can enable the mind to focus on spiritual issues and the presence of God.

You may need to read a Bible and become start to familiar with true Christianity.

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Thanks for the confirmation. But it is your own ignorance that you show.

Do you not know what "forty days and nights" refers to in the scriptures? Apparently not, or you would not have been so foolish as to add it to your display.

thelord's_pearl said:

Hello,
I was wondering, how do you all Christian fast, if you can tell me in a simply put way, thank you!
And does fasting work for you personally? In what ways?

I feel I need to fast sometimes, but I think of it as something hard.
Thank you for your help.

Click to expand...

Well in teh belieivng church world, there are all sorts of fastings they say we can do, but biblically, it is simply not eating for X amount of days. It should be god led and not bound to a legalistic time frame or reason.

ScottA said:

Thanks for the confirmation. But it is your own ignorance that you show.

Do you not know what "forty days and nights" refers to in the scriptures? Apparently not, or you would not have been so foolish as to add it to your display.

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In bibilical numerology, 40 equates to ta time of testing and trial, but Jesus fasted forty days and nights.

Ronald Nolette said:

In bibilical numerology, 40 equates to ta time of testing and trial, but Jesus fasted forty days and nights.

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It's more than that.

thelord's_pearl said:

Hello,
I was wondering, how do you all Christian fast, if you can tell me in a simply put way, thank you!
And does fasting work for you personally? In what ways?

I feel I need to fast sometimes, but I think of it as something hard.
Thank you for your help.

Click to expand...

When one fasts? There's normally some reason or motivation behind it!
What's your reason or motivation?

Generally speaking however?
The reason TO fast for whatever reason or motivation, is showing (I hope) God that you are being quite serious concerning this matter you are fasting for!

I suppose one could "pigeon hole" fasting into several different "categories."
Like a "lenten" fast, where one or groups of any particular denomination (referring to Catholics as a base), where they give up or abstain from one of this that or the other "thing" or item for 40 days. Which could range anywhere from abstaining from watching "soap operas" or TV, or a particular food stuff, or a variety of "things, or just one thing!"

Then? There's a fast you could do which would involve not eating ANYTHING, for as many days or weeks as you and God deem necessary!
Because "fasting and prayer" is NOT something you do "publicly" or for public approval! As NO ONE is supposed to know. As it's something between YOU and God!

Is it hard? It's AS hard or easy as you wish to make it!
I am reminded of Jonah, God, and the "Ninavites" who were fasting as per God through Jonah's request lest they become a defeated city. The people not only fasted! But they even forced fasting amongst ALL their livestock too!
Jonah 3:
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jonah 4:
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (this verse tell me that God told Jonah: "Better go down to Nineveh before all their cows die from starvation!" which tells me that the Lord God DOES have a sense of humor)

In what ways does it work?
Because it DOES work! To varying degrees of success and longevity.

ScottA said:

It's more than that.

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Well pray tell please enlighten us.

Ronald Nolette said:

Well pray tell please enlighten us.

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The big one among a well established biblical theme of many supporting examples, is forty years of Israel wandering in the desert for a generation or a lifetime (which is only a lifetime if understanding the symbolism of first passing through the Red Sea).

ScottA said:

The big one among a well established biblical theme of many supporting examples, is forty years of Israel wandering in the desert for a generation or a lifetime (which is only a lifetime if understanding the symbolism of first passing through the Red Sea).

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Enough ScottA!
ENOUGH of these "Word Salads!" Eh?
Get to the MAIN Course here would ya?

(that is.........IF you CAN!)

thelord's_pearl said:

I was wondering, how do you all Christian fast, if you can tell me in a simply put way, thank you!
And does fasting work for you personally? In what ways?

I feel I need to fast sometimes, but I think of it as something hard.

Click to expand...

I fast after lunch on Friday to lunch time Saturday, drinking as desired (non-alcohol).

It works as I tie fasting with Sabbath. I slow down. Am less active. Meditate. Pray. Read. Fellowship with friends and family. It is the highlight of my week. Time most dedicated to strengthening the communion with the Creator.

Hunger is worst 6-8 hours after my last meal. Then it subsides.

NayborBear said:

Enough ScottA!
ENOUGH of these "Word Salads!" Eh?
Get to the MAIN Course here would ya?

(that is.........IF you CAN!)

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You have a lot of ground to cover--which doesn't make any of what I have said "word salad", it simply means it has not yet been revealed to you. But I have written books on it--free on kindle unlimited, otherwise $1.99. Here, I am just stating what is true with explanations that fit this forum format. But I understand--many things have yet to be revealed and it has been thousands of years only "here a little, there a little" as I have presented it here.

Meanwhile, you should understand that this is the way of things and has been for many generations. Don't expect instant gratification.