Why fast?

Tradition

Fasting has been an important aspect of Christian practice throughout since the days of the apostles. Further back, in Judaism, the root of Christianity, fasting was a well-established tradition.

 

Scripture

The Bible, gives clear guidelines for fasting. Jesus Himself taught how we should behave when we fast and He explained that some seemingly intractable problems could only be dealt with by prayer and fasting.

 

Experience

Hundreds of thousands of Christians across the world fast regularly or occasionally and testify to the focus and discipline it brings to their prayer life.

When to fast..
There are only two times to fast:

• when you feel prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit
• when you wish to show support and solidarity with fellow Christians who have been called to fast: e.g. when your church holds a day of prayer and fasting

When not to fast...

• when you want to lose weight (er..God knows what's going on in your head and heart...)
• when you want to prove to yourself or someone else how spiritual you are
• when you are determined to fast "until God does something about..." - that's spiritual blackmail and akin to hunger-striking (you'll only get hungry and miserable)
• when you feel pressured by other people to do it
• when you are ill or on medication

How long?..
There is no direct correlation between period of fasting and answered prayer. It is not the case that the longer you fast the more answered prayers you get....

Typical fasts can last:

• From dawn till dusk: this is based on a traditional Jewish fasting period
• A day: a 24 hour fast
• Three days: the period of time Esther fasted (Esther 4 v15)
• Twenty-one days: the period that Daniel fasted (Daniel 10 v 2)
• Forty days: the period that Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4 v 1)
• It can also be appropriate to fast for one meal, or for any other period of time believe right....

 

What to drink or eat...
There are three types of fast:

• Total denial: no food or water is taken. This should never be done for more than three days (an 'Esther' fast). Many individuals do on special occasions. At one church known to the WebChurch, an Esther fast has been held every month while they pray for specific needs.

   

• Liquid fast: this is the most common fast. You MUST drink at least 5 pints of fluid a day. This should be fresh (not sparkling) water - which may be flavoured with a little fruit juice. It is best not to use too high a concentration of fruit juice and to use flavours you like. (Apple juice is best avoided - lots of folk seem to have problems using it).

  Avoid tea, coffee and any caffeinated drinks. Herbal tea is good for hot drinks. For longer fasts, a sachet of Orovite each day can be benficial.

  If you must take soup, choose wisely and avoid anything highly seasoned.

  It is possible to keep going for extensive periods of time on a liquid fast.

   

• Abstinence fast: this is the traditional 'Daniel' fast where the diet is restricted to fruit, vegetables, soups and other very basic, simple foods. Some Christians eat this diet only once a day and throughout the rest of the day follow the liquid fast regime, others eat smaller amounts at meal times. Again it is important to drink adequate fluids.

  Traditionally, this fast is followed for 21 days - but it can also be followed for much shorter periods. Christians who must follow specialised diets often adapt this form of fasting so that they take in the essentials and avoid extras or treats for a period of time.

 

How to use the time...
It is not always possible to take the whole fasting period out to devote it to prayer. Few Christians can actually pray for long periods of time anyway! You are likely to have work or domestic or caring duties to do while you fast. Try to spend the extra time you have (normally spent in food-shopping. preparation and eating) in prayer and reading your Bible or other devotional material.

How to behave...
Normally! Jesus had stern things to say about people who went around looking gloomy and dishevelled when they were fasting. He also had strong words for people who made a great display of their fasting. Unless you are fasting along with other Christians for a specific purpose, you should do it as quietly and discretely as possible.

The fact you may have been unaware of how extensive and regular fasting is today, is testimony to the quiet faithfulness of all those who practice it.

 

When to stop..

• If you get so cranky you become unliveable with.... (see Isaiah 58)
• If you get sick (bear in mind on a one day fast, or during the first few days of a longer fast, you may feel yucky and headache-y as your body copes with the deprivation of caffeine and refined sugars...)
• When you have a sense the burden of prayer has lifted.
• When you reach the end of your appointed period.

 

What to do if..
You eat something by mistake...
It happens - someone offers you a sweet or biscuit and you eat it without thinking! Don't worry. Just apologise to God and keep going. God is not going to cancel answering your prayers because of a momentary oversight and a Hob-Nob...

You get to a point where you can't face going on with the fast..
Try having something different to drink - e.g. of you have been on fruit juice, try fruit tea. Lay the situation before God. If you still feel you can't go on - stop. Have something to eat. Be thankful and commit all you have done to God. Continue to pray for the rest of the period as you would have done on the fast.

Don't be wracked with guilt. Everyone who has fasted has had times when they have had to stop before they intended. Fasting is a love-offering we make to God - He is neither going to punish you nor write you off because you quit the fast early.

Be open to fasting again when you are prompted to do so.