I would like to start
of this year sharing my fasting experience. Those who know me know that I tend
to fast every beginning of the year. Why, you ask? Because it is an
opportunity to connect with God and seek Him for what He has planned for me in
the year. I will share more on my personal journey in the next article but for
now let’s understand what fasting is.
WHAT
IS FASTING?
Fasting is the willing abstinence or reduction from some or all food,
drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast or dry fasting is
normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period.
Abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a
religious observance or be deprived of all or some kinds of food, especially
for medical or experimental reasons
Most fasts are done
certain time periods, could be 3, 7,21,30,40 days.
The point being as you
skip meals you take the time aside to pray.
During Lent Catholics may choose to go without meat as their fast. This would be considered a partial fast
Others pick fasts that
last 12 hours and eat one meal a day for a certain period of time.
Water Fasting refers to
abstinence from all food and drink except water
An absolute fast or
dry fasting is normally defined as abstinence from all food
and liquid for a defined period.
The
Bible describes three major types of fasting:
- Regular Fast / Partial Fast - This type of fast generally
refers to omitting a specific meal from your diet or refraining from
certain types of foods. People do this fast in various ways. Some do
it 3 days,7 days, 21 days, 30 days, 40 days etc. It can consist of
omitting a meal or going certain hours without eating can be 6 hours, 12
hours ,24 hours etc. It is advisable that during this fast to keep away
from caffeine and sugar as they cause hunger pangs. Ensure that when you
are breaking your fast take a fruit or soup to open up your stomach to
receive food because as you fast it shrinks in size.
Daniel 10:2-3 says, "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three
weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no
lotions at all until the three weeks were over." In Daniel 1:12, they restricted their diet to vegetables and water:
"Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to
eat and water to drink."
- Water Fast [Juice fast]- Traditionally, a regular fast
means refraining from eating all food. Most people still drink water or
juice during a regular fast. This fast needs a lot of planning and
preparation and preferably done at a place where you can focus. You can
choose the length of time you want to do it. Some do it 3 days,7 days, 21
days, 30 days, 40 days etc. It is best to do this fast at a retreat center
away from distractions especially if you choose to do it for a long
period.
When
Jesus fasted in the desert, the Bible says, "After fasting forty days and
forty nights, he was hungry." [Matthew 4:2] This verse does not mention
Jesus being thirsty so He could have been drinking water. [Subject to debate]
But note that He was in a place of solitude and He fasted before He began His
public ministry. I believe it is a good way to start seeking God especially
when you sense He is leading you to o specific things. Shutting out all voices
and staying in solitude with Him in prayer and reading His Word.
Also
for the physical aspect please note that you must research this fast and take
every precaution. People have died because of not preparing well and especially
ignoring the refeeding plan [I will share my 40 days water fast journey in the
next article]
- A Full Fast - These fasts are complete - no
food and no drink. Usually done for 3 days because your body cannot stay
longer than 3 days without water. It should also be planned and Acts 9:9 describes when Paul went on a full fast for three
days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus: "For
three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything." Esther
also called for this type of fast in [Esther 4:15-16]: "Then Esther sent
this reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa,
and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and
my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king,
even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'"
It is recommended that this type of fast be
done with extreme caution and not for extended periods of time. And do it
preferably in a retreat center away from distractions.
VIEWS
ABOUT FASTING? [TRUE OR FALSE AND
WHY MY PERSONAL VIEW]
·
Fasting should only be done by
those who are spiritually mature [been Christians for a long time] FALSE
: there are basic instructions to follow but everyone’s journey is different
and it gets better the more you do it.
·
For Christians fasting is only
for religious reasons /obligations. TRUE and FALSE : depends on
the individual. Some fast for health reason such as intermitted fasting and
others fast for spiritual reasons
·
Fasting is not restricted to
food. TRUE: I know people who believe fasting is strictly food others
believe it can also be from other things that distract us such as TV or the
internet. I tend to fast food because my body has learnt to relate it to prayer. Also, it is
how the Bible teaches about spiritual fasting I believe the other types can be
done for non-spiritual reasons.
·
Taking salty water when
fasting helps with low blood sugar and dizzy spells. TRUE: Not a lot of
salt but just enough to replace your electrolytes especially when doing the
water fast. Our water isn’t rich in minerals so when I did my 40 day water fast I
added salt in my water once a day.
·
Fasting and starving is the
same thing FALSE: I believe the motive matters here.
·
When fasting your body uses
your glycogen and fat as fuel to keep it going TRUE: I’m sure those
doing intermitted fasting can attest to this even more
·
You can eat whatever you want
when doing short terms partial fasts FALSE: If you eat sugar or take
caffeine it will increase your hunger pangs [they tend to disappear after day
3 because your body adapts so adding sugar and caffeine prolongs it]. Also keep away from alcohol or any other form of
drug.
·
You can eat whatever you want
after completing a long or short term complete fast FALSE: How you break
your fast is as important as how you prepare for it. You stomach shrinks when
you are fasting so you must prepare to open it up slowly to receive food . If you did a water fast by
starting with water-based fruit such as watermelon or grapes, for full fast water and broth and for regular fast fruit or plain yoghurt is ok. [My next article will explain more on how I broke
my water fast].
·
Fasting and not praying is
usually considered counterproductive TRUE and FALSE: it depends
on your reason for fasting.
·
If people know you are fasting
you have failed in your fast: FALSE: This is a popular opinion when
fasting for spiritual purposes. I choose to inform
those I will interact with in advance that I will do a fast so that there is no
awkwardness when offered food during the fast. If you focus on your reason for
the fast it shouldn’t be a problem, God gives you grace and knew all these
things would come up even before you began your fast. So, remember to pray way
before you start fasting, because the preparation is just as important as the
fast.
WHY DO WE FAST? [Biblical examples with my comments on each one]
Source :HERE
1.
To prepare for ministry. Jesus spent forty days and nights
in the wilderness fasting and praying before He began God’s work on this earth.
He needed time alone to prepare for what His Father had called Him to do (Matthew 4:1-17; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-14).
I
learnt to fast and seek God for how and where to serve in church because
sometimes you can encounter a challenge and automatically think that you are
not meant to be in that ministry which is not always the case. Sometimes it is other times its not, but seeking God is the only way to know. The answer may not
be immediate but it will come.
2.
To seek God’s wisdom. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted
for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord for His
service (Acts 14:23).
This
is the same concept as the first point but the issue may be not
necessarily related to ministry or serving in church. It could be business or
even interaction with people or a difficult situation. It could also
just be a time to seeks God’s favor even if everything is ok.
3.
To show grief. Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed when he
learned Jerusalem’s walls had been broken down, leaving the Israelites
vulnerable and disgraced (Nehemiah 1:1-4).
Most of the time I would fast and stand in the gap for many injustices or painful situations I witness.
4. To seek deliverance or
protection. Ezra declared a corporate fast and prayed for a safe
journey for the Israelites as they made the journey to
Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 8:21-23).
I
have done this for my family, friends
and also our country
5.
To repent. After
Jonah pronounced judgment against the city of Nineveh, the king covered himself
with sackcloth and sat in the dust and ordered the people to fast and pray. Jonah 3:10 says, “When God
saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did
not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.”
I
always start my fasts with repentance even if I consider the issue a small sin
I bring it before God. I focus mainly on myself for this because we are each
responsible for our personal sin however if God leads me to stand in the gap
for someone I do.
6.
To gain victory. After losing forty thousand men in battle in
two days, the Israelites cried out to God for help. Judges 20:26 says all the
people went up to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord.” “fasted
that day until evening.” The next day the Lord gave them victory over the
Benjamites.
I
have learnt that how you perceive victory matters here. I have had situations
where God completely delivered me from
something and others where He changed my attitude towards something. Sometimes
its immediately after the fast other times it is not.
7.
To worship God. Luke 2 tells the story of prophetess Anna. Verse 37 says, “She never left the temple but worshiped
night and day, fasting and praying.” Anna was devoted to God, and fasting was
one expression of her love for Him.
My
fasts are usually primarily to just connect with God. I used to be so worked up
about planning every day of the fast that it ended up being more like a task.
When I learnt to surrender it, the Lord revealed so much to me each day and
without fail. There was no day I sat idle. Not to say that you cannot plan but
that experience taught me to always expect God to speak to me [even when not fasting]
PURPOSE/ BENEFITS OF
FASTING [from my research, various sources]
·
Fasting was an expected discipline in
both the Old and New Testament eras.
·
Fasting and prayer can restore the loss
of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship
with Christ.
·
Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble
yourself in the sight of God.
·
Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal
your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a
transformed life.
·
Fasting will encourage the Holy Spirit to
quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful
to you.
·
Fasting can transform your prayer life
into a richer and more personal experience.
·
Fasting can result in a dynamic personal
revival in your own life and make you a channel of revival to others.
NEXT ARTICLE WILL BE ABOUT MY FASTING JOURNEY
Click here PART 2
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ARE WELCOME.
Inbox me on my Instagram
@lorna_abwonji or email loab2002@yahoo.com
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