How Most What The Bible Christians Fast Says About Fasting - Clover Sites

How MostChristians Fast"But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with theportion of the king's delicacies,nor with the wine which he drank ” Daniel 1:8Most Christians will engage in some form of aDaniel Fast during which they will use this fastto refrain from secular distractions and increasetheir time in prayer and Bible study. Here aresome ways one might conduct a Daniel Fast ora Modified Daniel Fast:FAST SPECIFIC FOOD AND/OR DRINK:This is an accurate representation of the Daniel Fastwhere Daniel refrained from eating rich food ordrink. Today, we would eliminate meat, sugars andalcohol, having only fruit, vegetables, juices andwater. This type of fast can be conducted for oneday a week, several days or up to several weeks.FAST SOLID FOOD ONE DAY A WEEK:Some Christians will set apart one day a week fortheir fasting season to refrain from eating solid food.On this day they will drink plenty of water, fruitand/or vegetable juices. You would begin this fastat sundown one day (not eating dinner), fastingboth breakfast and lunch the next day, and eatinga small meal after sundown the second day.FAST ONE MEAL EACH DAY:Others find that for the season of fasting from onemeal each day is a helpful fasting regime. Typically,this meal is either lunch or dinner and again, it’simportant to increase water intake and perhapsdrink a little juice or broth instead of solid food forthis meal.What the BibleSays AboutFastingFasting“Is this not the fast which I choose,to loosen the bonds of wickedness,to undo the bands of the yoke,and to let the oppressed go freeand break every yoke?Is it not to divide your breadwith the hungryand bring the homeless poorinto the house;When you see the naked,to cover him ?”Isaiah 58:6,7For questions or comments:The Rev. Cathie P. YoungSt. James Anglican Church3209 Via Lido – Newport Beach, CA 92663[949] 675-0210cyoung@stjamesnb.org“When  you  give   When  you  pray   When  you  fast ”Dedicating ourselves tothe three Christian dutiesgiven us by Christ in Matthew 6

What is Fasting?Most commonly, fasting is withholding foodand/or drink from the body in order to be moresensitive to God and/or to express sorrow forpersonal sins or the sins of others. In doing this,you deny yourself and your flesh – in otherwords, there is denial of physical appetite witha lessened concentration on the body and anincreased sensitivity to spiritual matters. Someuse this same principal of fasting in denyingthemselves other pleasures such as television orshopping, although Biblical fasting alwaysrelates to denial of food or drink.When to Fast?Many Christians fast as a regular part of theirspiritual discipline, for instance missing a mealor meals one day a week. It is also appropriateto fast when seeking discernment, healing,victory over sin or in intercession for others.Likewise, certain seasons of the Church lendthemselves to fasting, such as Lent.there are three basicfasts shown in the bible: Described in Daniel 10:3. Abstaining fromspecific and selected food and drink whileeating or drinking others. This fast is the typemost Christians use for their season of fasting.(See back panel for a discussion of how toconduct this type of fast.)Why Fast?Most Christians engage in a time of fasting forrepentance, self-examination, preparation andspiritual renewal. Others may fast asintercession for personal circumstances whenneeding an intervention from God for self orothers. A godly, personal motivation isessential as fasting is of little spiritual valueunless it is done with only one desire: to seekGod: "I have treasured the words of His mouthmore than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).Fasting was a normative part of the Hebrewreligious life and Jesus led the way in our NewTestament understanding of fasting. After Hisbaptism He journeyed into the wilderness andHe ate nothing – it is assumed He only drankwater for this extended period of time (Luke4:2). It’s clear from Scripture that Jesus had anexpectation that the faithful would fast(Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14, 15). Likewise, Paulfasted for three days following his conversion(Acts 9:8, 9).Partial,  the  “Daniel  Fast” Water  Fast,  the  “Jesus  Fast”Drinking water but abstaining from all food(solid and liquid) for a limited time. It isthought that this is the fast Jesus held while inthe wilderness in Luke 4. It is important that noone engage this kind of a fast unless directed byGod and after having checked with yourdoctor. However, with plenty of water, somehave fasted this way for as long as 40 days. Absolute,  the  “Esther  Fast”Meaning no food (solid or liquid) and no water.This is the 3-day fast engaged by Queen Estherin the Old Testament (Esther 4:16). You cannotsurvive more than three days without water. Itis important that no one engage this kind of afast unless directed by God and after havingchecked with your doctor.How  to  Fast   How you conduct your fast will determine yourability to complete your fast in the godlyparameters consistent with your intentions.Here are some helpful steps based on theteachings of Dr. Bill Bright:Step 1: Know why you are fasting.Outline your objectives and be clear aboutyour motivations.Step 2: Plan your fast.- How long will you fast?- What type of a fast will you conduct?- When will you struggle & how will you cope?Step 3: Prepare spiritually.Biblical fasts are rooted in humility, prayer andrepentance. Spiritual support is also suggestedsuch as a fasting partner or prayer intercessor.Step 4: Prepare physically.Consult your physician for either an Absolute orWater Fast on physical issues, medications, etc.Clean out and stock up your refrigerator.Step 5: Prepare your schedule.Be prepared to rework your schedule to allowfor more time in prayer, meditation and studyin the Word. Anticipate social occasions. If youare fasting one meal a day, decide ahead oftime how you will spend that mealtime such asin prayer, Scripture meditation or service.STEP 6: Break your fast well.Breaking your fast well is important. Begineating foods gradually – eat lightly, notheavily. Don’t abandon your increased prayerlife but carry it into your life after fasting.

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Daniel Fast during which they will use this fast to refrain from secular distractions and increase their time in prayer and Bible study. Here are some ways one might conduct a Daniel Fast or a Modified Daniel Fast: FAST SPECIFIC FOOD AND/OR DRINK: This is an accurate representation of the Daniel Fast where Daniel refrained from eating rich food or