Lets Talk Fasting

What is the longest you have fasted for?

  • Total voters
    8
Foundsheep

Foundsheep

Fasting is mentioned a lot in the bible. I will just link a few scriptures, but I'm sure you guys can find no shortage of scriptures on fasting.

Luke 2:37
And then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
Click to expand...
Acts 13:3
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Click to expand...
Nehemiah 9:1
Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads.
Click to expand...
Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Click to expand...

Most Christians I know do not fast. We have such an abundance of food and with most peoples schedules it can seem like no one has time to fast.

But if we are to follow biblical principles, shouldn't we be fasting at least some of the time?

It seems like fasting was something that was so prevalent in those times it was often taken for granted in scripture.

Matthew 6:17-18
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Click to expand...

Notice how it says "when" and not "if" you fast.

Anyways, I've been thinking a lot about fasting and humbling myself before the Lord lately with everything going on in my life. I wonder if anyone has also thought similar things.

PS. The longest I have made it fasting is 4 days, but I aim for a longer one in the future.
 
Just wanted to say that for folks with certain medical problems, fasting can't be done without making a person really ill. One example would be Type 2 Diabetes. A family member here in Kentucky told me about that a long time ago and her Doctor said absolutely not, because of the blood sugar situation and the damage that could happen when going without food for a while.

Anyone looking to do any fasting these days, even if they is fairly healthy, should check with their Doctor before any fasting.
 
PaducahLuke said:
Just wanted to say that for folks with certain medical problems, fasting can't be done without making a person really ill. One example would be Type 2 Diabetes. A family member here in Kentucky told me about that a long time ago and her Doctor said absolutely not, because of the blood sugar situation and the damage that could happen when going without food for a while.

Anyone looking to do any fasting these days, even if they is fairly healthy, should check with their Doctor before any fasting.
Click to expand...

Absolutely correct!

If type 2's do not eat something when they are supposed to, they can go into a coma and die.
 
Hello Foundsheep;

It's good to see you! 👍

Good ministers in the church who provide Scriptures and carefully explain fasting, include cautionary measures for those with health conditions, have had blessing effects with their disciples and church.

All this for the glory of God.

In this way disciples can then pass the teaching of fasting to newer disciples.

Foundsheep, what you are sharing can be an anointing to others who haven't experienced fasting along with prayer.

I'm happy to follow this thread. 😎 🙏

God bless you, brother, and your family.
 
There are different kinds of fasts you can do, but traditionally christians have fasted for 40 days before Easter. Some churches celebrate Lent.
It doesn't necessarily have to be food, it might be some vice you give up (like watching tv) or chocolate or some other sacrifice you make.
Sometimes you might have fasted without even thinking about it such as intense prayer times when you didn't eat. I have done that and I cannot remember how long I did it for. But I knew that I had to do it. I also gave up some things that were holding me back. For example secular music, and couple months ago I gave up FB and haven't been on any social media since. usually, you don't tell anyone or make a big deal about fasting -it's between you and God. You can also save a lot of money by fasting if you are the type of person who always eats out or always spends money (maybe on unnecessary things)

Jesus did the whole 40 days without food, and in the end He had the anointing.
Quarantine has been a kind of fast as well. If we gave up using petrol for 40 days and only walked, or biked it would be much better for the environment.
 
Because of health reasons I can't fast properly. I haven't got a very good appetite anyow, so I just miss a meal out.

Why do we fast and what good does it do? I believe it brings us closer to God. Perhaps it helps us to fight temptations too. Jesus fasted before satan came to Him to tempt Him. Two good reasons to fast. When the apostles could not drive the demons out The Lord told them they needed to pray and fast. Could it be fasting and prayers make our faith stronger?,

That is just my thoughts. But what do all of you believe your reason for fasting should be?
 
Cosia said:
Because of health reasons I can't fast properly. I haven't got a very good appetite anyow, so I just miss a meal out.

Why do we fast and what good does it do? I believe it brings us closer to God. Perhaps it helps us to fight temptations too. Jesus fasted before satan came to Him to tempt Him. Two good reasons to fast. When the apostles could not drive the demons out The Lord told them they needed to pray and fast. Could it be fasting and prayers make our faith stronger?,

That is just my thoughts. But what do all of you believe your reason for fasting should be?
Click to expand...

I am in the same boat! I would say to all of us to remember something, and I say this not to derail the thread or to argue anything, but the fact is that Scripture does not command Christians to fast and neither does God require or demand it of Christians.

However, in the same breath we should understand that the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial.

The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions and Fasting and prayer are often linked together. Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
 
Major said:
I am in the same boat! I would say to all of us to remember something, and I say this not to derail the thread or to argue anything, but the fact is that Scripture does not command Christians to fast and neither does God require or demand it of Christians. However, in the same breath we should understand that the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions and Fasting and prayer are often linked together. Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
Click to expand...

Correct, Major. God and the Scriptures doesn't command Christians to fast. Some pointed to Jesus' command but He wasn't commanding but merely teaching the disciples that by prayer and fasting they could cast out demons.

Mark 9:27-29, 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. - KJV

I remember when I was five years old my mom laid with me one night praying and fasting. I had suffered from severe hallucinations from too much medicine. All I remember was I woke up the next morning and was completely healed.

At such a young age I learned to believe.
 
So what exactly do you do when you fast?
Just eat one meal a day or something? Surely fasting is not eating anything at all??

Note: I’m interested in this subject as I have a love hate relationship with food and know I am an emotional eater at times.
 
You have no food, drink water or liquids instead. Some drink soup. Instead of meal times you have prayer time.

Muslims go without food during the day and then eat all night, for Ramadan and call it fasting. lol I don't think that's the point but that is what they do.
 
40 hour famine is a fast many younger christians do to raise money and awareness for the hungry and poor in 'third world' countries. You can't eat anything for 40 hours except barley sugars, and drink water and or just juice.

You get sponsored for how many hours you can go for.
 
PaducahLuke said:
Just wanted to say that for folks with certain medical problems, fasting can't be done without making a person really ill. One example would be Type 2 Diabetes. A family member here in Kentucky told me about that a long time ago and her Doctor said absolutely not, because of the blood sugar situation and the damage that could happen when going without food for a while.

Anyone looking to do any fasting these days, even if they is fairly healthy, should check with their Doctor before any fasting.
Click to expand...

Thank you! As someone with hypoglycemia, fasting is a no go for me.
 
forgiven61 said:
fasting is private between you and the good LORD. there should be no announcement of when one does it. there are several ways to fast
Click to expand...
well only you (and God) know if you've really fasted or not there's no fasting police!
Jesus said to wash your face and wear normal clothes when you fast..don't go round boasting about it lol
 
Lanolin said:
well only you (and God) know if you've really fasted or not there's no fasting police!
Jesus said to wash your face and wear normal clothes when you fast..don't go round boasting about it lol
Click to expand...

Hey Bob! How come you were so late at CFS looking so pale and wearing shorts, thongs and a tank top? Well, I was away for 24 hours fasting and just got back. L😎L!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top