Fasting? Do you fast?

[Cato]

Our Bible study this week is on fasting. This is one of those areas where there seems to be no one conclusive text that describes what, how, when, where etc.

Jesus spoke of it, and warned of how it can become self righteous. But His presumption was the we will fast.

So what's up guys? What experience do you have with fasting? What do you know about it, etc?

I did a liquid fast for 3 or 4 days once. I am somewhat embarrassed to confess I have only fasted a couple of time. It is something I need to learn more about. Just curious what you guys know and have experienced.

Cato

[Esquire]

Cato,

I really think this is a more important topic than many of us realize.

I have fasted less often than I should like to admit. The longest was 5 days. I have found that fasting prayerfully is of great assistance in breaking the hold of sins that are tied to selfishness, excess, and selfish indulgence. There are great health benefits and there is strength and a closeness to God to be found in fasting. My favorite passage on fasting is found in Isaiah, ch. 58:

3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=58&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-18795a)] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

[Cato]

Here is a pretty good link.

http://www.new-life.net/fasting.htm


(the music isn't so great, but the content is pretty good)

Cato

[Matt]

Us LDS people fast at least once a month. The first Sunday of the month is Fast Sunday. Everybody is supposed to fast then, but you can fast as often and as long as you'd like for anything going on in your life. The standard fast is 24 hours with no food or water. Part of fasting, though, is contributing what money we would have spent on food to feeding those who need it. It's a good system and I'm glad we have it.

P.S Fast offering monies also goes to paying people bills if they hit financial difficulty.

Also Esquires view on fasting is, in my opinion, is right on. :highfive:

[fredbearfan]

I just learned an interesting thing about fasting. I was watching Dr Charles Stanley (InTouch) two weeks ago and he said that fasting isn't necessarily a food fast! As esquire said, the purpose is to remove distractions from god which are self indulgences.

My problem with fasting in the past is that I use it for weight control. I still think food fasting is relevant but I have a hard time NOT thinking calories.

I plan on doing a fast of television and internet (eBay and forums) for one week. I spend about 3 hours a day on these activities. This is something that will really help me focus on what's important. During that time I will read the bible, pray and basically get quiet.

[Cato]

FBF,

I think you make a good point. We obviously can chose to food fast, but there are other things as well. Anything we give up for a time, and substitute prayer when we get an urge, would seem to have some merrit.

It seems to me the point is to demonstrate to God that we really mean business, and are so interested in hearing from Him, that we are willing to give up things that are important to us.

Cato

[DaveHawk]

Esquire, that scripture is full of God's promas to us. The problem most Christians have is we take God for granite and forget about those promases and figure God will help us with out the guidences He has set up for us. Why are they their ? For one so that we come to an understanding in our own spirit for the need of Jesus Christ in our life, that we can do nothing to please Him. It's not that fasting will please God but fasting will cause us to come into a greater , deeper understanding of who we are in Christ. Which intern brings us closer to Him, The auther and finisher of our faith. But I am ashamed to say I have not taken advantage of this as much as I know I should. Although I do fast often meals though out the week. It's not the same as as fasting when the Holy Spirit dirrects you you to do so. Which is for spiritial gain and not phisical.