Today is more of a question for you, my readers... because I'm curious (or maybe even a bit nosy).
Have you ever fasted? How long did you do it? What kind of fast was it (no food, some food, a specific kind of food, etc)? Why did you do it (Spiritual, medical, curiosity, etc?)
Mama Belle just completed a 21-Day Daniel Fast.
Dan. 10:2-3 - Daniel engaged in a partial fast: "In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."
Crunchy Chicken posted a Fast for the Fourth challenge today. I won't be joining in, but it is an interesting read.
And, I'm hopeful that the kids will be done with their "fast" before tomorrow's festivities.
So, fill me up with some fasting info... :)
6 comments:
I have occasionally fasted for lab work at the doctor, and once in a while I fast for spiritual concerns. Just last week I fasted for Compassion International. (Here is my post about it)
Usually I do a solid food fast. If it's just for lab work, then I'll still have coffee or water. If it's spitual, it varies. I may have nothing but water all day. I may drink Slim-Fast or something but abstain from solid food. Sometimes it lasts 24 hours, sometimes just part of the day. When I feel in my heart that it's OK to stop, then I do.
I really have no idea about the proper way to fast. That's just what I do.
I have done a few fasts. Mostly spiritual, and they were only partial fasts...b/c I was either nursing or preggers...such as giving up certain foods for a period of time devoted to prayer.
I recently did a fast for health reasons, when I was kicking off eating raw. I did a 24 hour fast with only water and I really enjoyed it. It brings so many emotional issues to the surface, and it was nice to work through those. It felt very cleansing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Hi there - I popped over from Beth's blog and saw your question. I've also fasted for medical procedures, but mainly for spiritual reasons, especially when I was seeking direction in a specific area or joining others in prayer for something specific where we were asking God to move in a big way. I typically do a fast from everything but water for 24 hours, but have done a 48 hour fast as well.
Our church had an all-church 40-day fast where we signed up to take 24 hour shifts (every hour for the 40 days was covered). We were praying over our opening Sunday as a brand new church, so we were joining in a specific prayer goal. We had Dean Trune with Impact International (impactingtheworld.com) come and speak to us about prayer and fasting and you can read more about what he has learned about fasting here:
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=91
I've found it to be a very special experience with God and have seen Him do some amazing things when I've joined others in humbling myself in this way.
You know my answer. And you know what? Now I feel kinda sick from all the junk I've eaten this week.
I have fasted for spiritual reasons. I had a very specific request I wanted to pray for without ceasing. What I found was that after a few days, Scripture became my food, and I didn't experience mcuh hunger. I did have to shop for and feed my family, but I was so motivated by the concern I had, I wasn't really tempted. I did notice that there is food advertising EVERYWHERE! I learned a lot about "lust of the eyes" during that time, and the necessity of just looking away. Really, I could go on and on, but I would have to say, it's not something to undertake lightly, and I think you need to feel a call to prayer to do it.
Love that cartoon!
I've fasted for diet purposes quite often, I'm ashamed to say! I have also fasted for spiritual purposes, and the hunger pains kept reminding me of why I was fasting. Usually I started with a total fast and then added liquids later on if I felt too weak to continue.
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