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I used to try to naswer such questions with scriptures..The Holy Spirit leads me to fast at times..I just know that I am to fast..I dont hear a command , I just know...so I do...usually it lasts for 3 days, sometimes longer.
It was very hard to pray for the first few days as my body affected by coffee addiction! lol
But the third day I was able to pray freely and was more sensitive to my spirit/His Spirit.
That to me is one of the main reasons why we are led to fast...sensitivity to the Spirit...now that the shouting of the desires of the body are put down.
Faith is a spiritual relationship with an inward being..who happens to dwell in our spirit..Jesus!
The noise made by our pining , addicted, flesh tends to drown out the voice of the spirit (I believe) so sometimes He leads us to silence it through fasting.
Just my opinion...I have followed Him for 24 years.
It was very hard to pray for the first few days as my body affected by coffee addiction! lol
But the third day I was able to pray freely and was more sensitive to my spirit/His Spirit.
That to me is one of the main reasons why we are led to fast...sensitivity to the Spirit...now that the shouting of the desires of the body are put down.
Faith is a spiritual relationship with an inward being..who happens to dwell in our spirit..Jesus!
The noise made by our pining , addicted, flesh tends to drown out the voice of the spirit (I believe) so sometimes He leads us to silence it through fasting.
Just my opinion...I have followed Him for 24 years.
I remember a preacher saying in regards to Jesus' statement, "this kind does not comes out but by prayer and fasting" that He was talking about unbelief in our heart rather than the demon he had just cast out. Deep seated unbelief in our heart is dislodged through prayer and fasting.
Sounds good to me.
Sounds good to me.
The combination of praying and fasting has spiritual benefits. There are certain times one needs to fast and pray for spiritual breakthrough or a greater intimacy with God. It demonstrates humility and discipline and when God sees your faith in Him and such commitment, you will receive breakthrough.
B
Actually kenisyes, to fast specifically means to go hungry/cover the mouth/not eat. A person can intentionally abstain from a multitude of other activities... which would be developing personal discipline... but it is not fasting. One can not eat for an assortment of reasons but the spiritual fasting God honors is specifically to purposefully weaken the flesh and draw nearer to God thru repentance, worship and prayer.
Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites,
of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear
unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou,
when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear
not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret ..."
If you want a deeper closer relationship with the LORD one way to do this is through Fasting. Fasting is a powerful tool because we are crucifying our flesh and humbling ourselves before GOD. Fasting is a sacrifice because you are giving up food to afflict your soul to hear from GOD. The combination of prayer and fasting is one of the best ways to hear the voice of GOD. There are many reasons to fast: Spiritual direction, revival, strength against demonic powers, health for the body, Loosen heavy burdens, and over coming addictions.
To get started you should consult a doctor on your health issues and he may come up with a fasting plan that will fit you. Then you should think about what you want from this fast. Then find Bible scriptures that deal with the topic of your fast. Then pray those scriptures during your fast. Decide the type of fast you want to do and for how long. Confess your sins to GOD and go into this with a pure heart. Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you on this fast. He may bring up things you have not thought of in sometime.
Some people who fast in the Bible
Jesus- before he started his ministry Luke 4:14
Hannah– for a baby 1-Samuel
Ezra - protection Ezra 8:21-23
Daniel for Gods promises to be fulfilled and revalation - Daniel 9:3, 20
Elijah - heard gods voice 1kings
Moses- hear from GOD and get the ten commandments
Nehemiah - in mourning -Nehemiah 1:4
Nehemiah and the children of Israel -confessed sin and worshipped the Lord our God." Nehemiah 9:
1-3 "
Jonah - to turn away GOD’s anger from a nation. Jonah 3:8
Cornelius- for understanding acts 10:30
Barnabas and Saul - for Gods will in their life acts 13:2-3
For leaders of the church- acts 14:23
　
of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear
unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou,
when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear
not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret ..."
If you want a deeper closer relationship with the LORD one way to do this is through Fasting. Fasting is a powerful tool because we are crucifying our flesh and humbling ourselves before GOD. Fasting is a sacrifice because you are giving up food to afflict your soul to hear from GOD. The combination of prayer and fasting is one of the best ways to hear the voice of GOD. There are many reasons to fast: Spiritual direction, revival, strength against demonic powers, health for the body, Loosen heavy burdens, and over coming addictions.
To get started you should consult a doctor on your health issues and he may come up with a fasting plan that will fit you. Then you should think about what you want from this fast. Then find Bible scriptures that deal with the topic of your fast. Then pray those scriptures during your fast. Decide the type of fast you want to do and for how long. Confess your sins to GOD and go into this with a pure heart. Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you on this fast. He may bring up things you have not thought of in sometime.
Some people who fast in the Bible
Jesus- before he started his ministry Luke 4:14
Hannah– for a baby 1-Samuel
Ezra - protection Ezra 8:21-23
Daniel for Gods promises to be fulfilled and revalation - Daniel 9:3, 20
Elijah - heard gods voice 1kings
Moses- hear from GOD and get the ten commandments
Nehemiah - in mourning -Nehemiah 1:4
Nehemiah and the children of Israel -confessed sin and worshipped the Lord our God." Nehemiah 9:
1-3 "
Jonah - to turn away GOD’s anger from a nation. Jonah 3:8
Cornelius- for understanding acts 10:30
Barnabas and Saul - for Gods will in their life acts 13:2-3
For leaders of the church- acts 14:23
　
S
Thank you Shiloh great verse " Matthew-6:16-18, this is the way we should fast, in old ways people walked around in public with purposeful misery showing, the verses you quoted are telling us to not cover ourselves in ssack cloth & ashes, but clean our faces oninte our heads with oil, in other words, go out with praise, , not as in morning, to fast between you & god, great verse by the way, makes the perfect point, i do habe a couple problems with what you said in your own words after...I feel there is no need "" to crucify our flesh "" Jesus did this for us,, not as an example to show us how to fast...second,,,""give up food to afflict our souls"" I would think afflicting our souls would be Satan's job against the lost, I know that sounds hard & leads to many comments against me later for saying..but really do we need to afflict our souls?, fasting is a sign of obedience to God , led by God, spirit or lord led. The reason is not a fad to cleanse your body of junk food impurities .. I am wrong & sounding more like an attack so let me get back to my point,,, fasting is to be done in private a holy time for prayers , help for solutions & petishions, strength, grace, mercy all help for a specific need a request placed in reverence to God thru fasting. Fasting is a giving,acknowledgement to God of his sovereignty. , that tells him we are willing and obedient & in great need of his answers & help. I will story boring.you all & sign out with this... when your tummy growls from fasting, so people won't hear it, you can trick your tummy by sipping warm water. I am sorry if I have offended anyone at all, if so let me know, this was not meant as an attack just as my point of view, intended to be sent out in love...
Spuzit,
It is by sharing that we learn as we teach each other. Yes Fasting is to be between you and God, but there are times a brother or sister who has been helping you will fast with you also. We do see what people call a corporate fast in the Bible. Everyone is in agreement on the fast. We crucify our flesh by not giving into it’s demands in that way we are led by the Spirit and not our own desires. Maybe I should have used a different word. When we do not give into the demands of the flesh we are making our Spirit stronger and that can only be good. I hope you see from the verses above what I was meaning. Fasting is very helpful it may just be food that you do not give into for a time, but this discipline can help you overcome other areas that you are week in the flesh. We need to afflict our souls by not giving into its desires and there by helping our spirit mature. Obedience to God is not what the flesh wants by fasting we are training our soul to walk after God and not the flesh. Fasting does give us those things you have said because we work with God to change ourselves.
It is by sharing that we learn as we teach each other. Yes Fasting is to be between you and God, but there are times a brother or sister who has been helping you will fast with you also. We do see what people call a corporate fast in the Bible. Everyone is in agreement on the fast. We crucify our flesh by not giving into it’s demands in that way we are led by the Spirit and not our own desires. Maybe I should have used a different word. When we do not give into the demands of the flesh we are making our Spirit stronger and that can only be good. I hope you see from the verses above what I was meaning. Fasting is very helpful it may just be food that you do not give into for a time, but this discipline can help you overcome other areas that you are week in the flesh. We need to afflict our souls by not giving into its desires and there by helping our spirit mature. Obedience to God is not what the flesh wants by fasting we are training our soul to walk after God and not the flesh. Fasting does give us those things you have said because we work with God to change ourselves.
Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Sorry left the verses off so here they are. Fasting is overcoming the flesh to receive from the Spirit. How you want to word what you are doing to your flesh nature by fasting well that is a matter of preference . Call it what you will crucify, discipline, teach, training ,or whatever helps you understand training your soul to live by the Spirit not the flesh.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Sorry left the verses off so here they are. Fasting is overcoming the flesh to receive from the Spirit. How you want to word what you are doing to your flesh nature by fasting well that is a matter of preference . Call it what you will crucify, discipline, teach, training ,or whatever helps you understand training your soul to live by the Spirit not the flesh.
Fasting is old as the human race. Fasting was practiced by pagan religions, Judaism and Christianity, and it was generally considered an important element of religious life, although with different practices and understanding. In the ancient religions of the East fasting meant a complete abstention from good for a certain period of time — one day or more. The origin of fasting as a moral discipline, especially among the old pagan religions is very obscure, just as their understanding of God was inadequate and vague. The monotheistic, God revealed religion of the “Chosen People” knew about fasting. From the Old Testament we learn that God instituted fasting in Paradise when He said: “But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17) From this is clear that fasting existed before the “original sin” of Adam and Eve, and it was not ordered as a cure for their sin. The fasting in Paradise consisted of abstaining of certain food — namely of “the fruit of the tree.” The tree of knowledge of good and evil was created by God as well as all other trees in Paradise and, as such, preceded the Satan and his sinful machinations. God’s commandment to Adam and Even not to eat of the particular fruit was issued as a method of man’s discipline of self- control and spiritual growth. This means that the first man in Paradise was not perfect, but was good and capable to improve and develop his spiritual and moral personality. Fasting understood in this way was practiced both in the Old and New Testament and throughout the entire history of the Church. A noted Orthodox theologian Father Alexander Schmemann, speaking about fasting in the Old and New Testament, saw a great similarity and interdependence between two events in the Bible — one at the beginning of the Old Testament and the other at the beginning of the New Testament. He writes: “The first is the ‘breaking of the fast’ by Adam in Paradise. He ate of the forbidden fruit. This is how man’s original sin is revealed to us. Christ, the new Adam, — and this is the second event — begins by fasting. Adam was tempted and succumbed to temptation. The result of Adam’s failure is expulsion from Paradise and death. The fruit of Christ’s victory is the destruction of death and return to Paradise. It is clear, that in this perspective, fasting is revealed to us as something decisive and ultimate in importance. It is not mere ‘obligation’, a custom; it is connected with the very mystery of life and death, of salvation and damnation.” St. Basil the Great, confirms the above statement by saying: “Because we did not fast, we were chased out of Paradise; let us fast now, so that some day we return there. We have many shining examples of fasting in the Old and New Testament. Moses fasted forty days before receiving from God the Ten Commandments. The prophet Isaiah has written about fasting centuries before Christ’s coming: “Is not this the fast that I choose, to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him… then shall your light break forth like the dawn …” (Isaiah 58) In the Old Testament fasting is sometimes preparation for the Feast days, but more generally it is a sign of humility before God. Fasting accompanied mourning and repentance. In time of necessity of danger, it was appropriate for an individual or the whole community to fast. Fasting, so to speak, reinforced urgent prayer. How seriously it might be taken up, to the extent that an earnest man of prayer might become weak and think through lack of nourishment, is shown by Psalm 109:24: “My Knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.” Fasting in the New Testament was introduced by our Lord Jesus Christ Who gave us a great example of fasting. After His Baptism in the river of Jordan He withdrew into the wilderness where He spend forty days and forty nights in prayer and fasting in preparation for His sacred ministry. Jesus taught his disciples and followers to fast. He told them not to fast like the Pharisees, but when they fast bodily they should be completely natural in their behavior — humble and penitent. “And when ye fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men, but by your Father Who is in secret. And your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:16-18) Here we should mention that fasting in the Orthodox Church has two aspects: physical and spiritual. The first one implies abstinence from rich food, such as dairy products, eggs and all kinds of meat. Spiritual fasting consists in abstinence from evil thoughts, desires, and deeds. The main purpose of fasting is to gain mastery over oneself and to conquer the passions of the flesh. It is to liberate oneself from dependence on the things of this world in order to concentrate on the things of the Kingdom of God. It is to give power to the soul so that it would not yield to temptation and sin. According to St. Seraphim, fasting is an “indispensable means” of gaining the fruit of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, and Jesus Himself taught that some forms of evil cannot be conquered without it. When the Apostles failed to heal a sick and suffering child, Christ explained that, “This kind (meaning devil) can come out only by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 12:21) Commenting on this St. John Chrysostom said: “That these are like two wings that carry a person to the heights of God.” The Apostles of Christ continued in prayer and fasting, and commanded others to do the same. They fasted also as they accomplished their ministries by the power of the Holy Spirit and by prayer, as we reads in the Acts: “Now in the church at Antioch… while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts. 13:-13) Today, I think it is safe to say, the practice and idea of fasting is largely ignored. Some people say that God’s people need not fast since we are saved by grace and not by works, and that fasting can easily become hypocritical, done merely for show and for the condemnation of others. Many others generally dismiss fasting as something old-fashioned, simple and naïve. “This is the twentieth century; those rules were made for the past and simpler days.” Nonetheless, in spite of present practice of most people, we must take the practice of fasting seriously, if for no other reason, then out of respect for other people, throughout Christian history, who have taken it seriously. We all need to develop the habit of saying no to our carnal passions and desires. What we need is self- discipline and self-control. These are acquired only through regular spiritual exercise — namely through fasting. Fasting is not at all an act of mortification for mortification’s sake. It is not a “little suffering” which is somehow pleasing to God. It is not a punishment which is to be sorrowfully endured in payment for sins. On the contrary, fasting for a Christian, should be a joyful experience, because fasting is a self-discipline which we voluntarily impose upon ourselves in order to become better persons and better Christians. The sin of not fasting is the sin of failing to employ a practice which is absolutely necessary to a sinful person in his struggle to overcome his sins and to gain the love and communion of God. Fasting is an art fully mastered by the Saints. These holy men and women, who have taken their religion and fasting seriously, can be of great help to us. They offer a number of recommendations for fasting.
1. Fasting is essential for us to regain control over our bodies.
We live in a pluralistic and secularistic society where the Biblical idea of fasting is completely ignored and forgotten. “Gluttony has become a way of life for a fallen man and, it affects every area of live, leaving us wide open to all types of temptation. We all eat too much, and fasting is the only way to end this unnatural obsession with food. Fasting puts food into its proper perspective. We must each in order to live, but we shouldn’t simply live to eat.” St. Isaac of Syria said: “The first commandment given to our nature in the beginning was the fasting from food and in this the head of our race (Adam) fell. Those who wish to attain the fear of God, therefore, should begin to build where the building was first fallen. They should begin with the commandment to fast.”
2. Fasting simplifies our lives.
“By eating less, we can pay attention to more important matters, such as our relationship with God.” Fasting is part of the spiritual life without which the soul perishes, suffocated by the flesh and choked by carnal pleasures. A human being must fast. The effort enlightens the mind, strengthens the spirit, controls the emotions and tames the passions. Thus “a man who strives for salvation… must not allow himself to eat to fullness …” says St. Gregory of Sinai. St. Isaac of Syria says, “Meager food at the table of the pure cleanes the soul of those who partake from all passion … for the work of fasting and vigil is the beginning of every effort against sin and lust … almost all passionate drives decrease through fasting.” An old man in the desert was asked why he was so severe on his body. He answered simply, “If I don’t kill it, it kills me.” By this the holy fathers taught us to be killers of passions and not killers of the body. Partake of everything that is permissible with thanksgiving, to the glory of God and avoid boastful arrogance; but refrain from every excess. (The Monks Callistus and Ignatius, 14c., Directions to Hesychasts.)
We live in a pluralistic and secularistic society where the Biblical idea of fasting is completely ignored and forgotten. “Gluttony has become a way of life for a fallen man and, it affects every area of live, leaving us wide open to all types of temptation. We all eat too much, and fasting is the only way to end this unnatural obsession with food. Fasting puts food into its proper perspective. We must each in order to live, but we shouldn’t simply live to eat.” St. Isaac of Syria said: “The first commandment given to our nature in the beginning was the fasting from food and in this the head of our race (Adam) fell. Those who wish to attain the fear of God, therefore, should begin to build where the building was first fallen. They should begin with the commandment to fast.”
2. Fasting simplifies our lives.
“By eating less, we can pay attention to more important matters, such as our relationship with God.” Fasting is part of the spiritual life without which the soul perishes, suffocated by the flesh and choked by carnal pleasures. A human being must fast. The effort enlightens the mind, strengthens the spirit, controls the emotions and tames the passions. Thus “a man who strives for salvation… must not allow himself to eat to fullness …” says St. Gregory of Sinai. St. Isaac of Syria says, “Meager food at the table of the pure cleanes the soul of those who partake from all passion … for the work of fasting and vigil is the beginning of every effort against sin and lust … almost all passionate drives decrease through fasting.” An old man in the desert was asked why he was so severe on his body. He answered simply, “If I don’t kill it, it kills me.” By this the holy fathers taught us to be killers of passions and not killers of the body. Partake of everything that is permissible with thanksgiving, to the glory of God and avoid boastful arrogance; but refrain from every excess. (The Monks Callistus and Ignatius, 14c., Directions to Hesychasts.)
3. Fasting “lightens our load” and makes it easier to pray.
“For many people the refusal to fast is just one more excuse to cut themselves off from God. The person who wants to pray better should eat less. This makes the mind and the spirit less sluggish. We are then more capable of lifting our minds and hearts to God.” St. Isaac of Syria says: “As long as man’s moth is sealed by fasting his mind will meditate on the repentance of his soul.” Even the old Latins knew that “Plenus veter non studet libenter.”
4. Fasting restores discipline to our lives. “How many of us can honestly say that we disciplined in spiritual matters as we should be? Fasting may just be the beginning of our journey toward spiritual seriousness, but we all have to start somewhere. We can all see what the lack of real discipline has done to American moral life. The same happens to our own spiritual lives without discipline. Fasting is the beginning of this discipline.” That is why the Canons of the Church Councils — Trullo, Gangra and Laodicia as well as the rules and regulations of Sts. Dionisius, Peter and Timothy of Alexandria — order us to fast. According to Milas, “The Church has introduced fasting in a life of a Christian in order to enable man to live a life of piety and repentance. This regulation is based on the practice of the Church in the Old Testament and the examples of its Founder and the Apostles in the New Testament. The fast days which we must observe are ordered by the Church authorities and, therefore, are obligatory for all, except the sick; if a clergyman disobeys this rule he shall be deposed, and a layman excommunicated.”
“For many people the refusal to fast is just one more excuse to cut themselves off from God. The person who wants to pray better should eat less. This makes the mind and the spirit less sluggish. We are then more capable of lifting our minds and hearts to God.” St. Isaac of Syria says: “As long as man’s moth is sealed by fasting his mind will meditate on the repentance of his soul.” Even the old Latins knew that “Plenus veter non studet libenter.”
4. Fasting restores discipline to our lives. “How many of us can honestly say that we disciplined in spiritual matters as we should be? Fasting may just be the beginning of our journey toward spiritual seriousness, but we all have to start somewhere. We can all see what the lack of real discipline has done to American moral life. The same happens to our own spiritual lives without discipline. Fasting is the beginning of this discipline.” That is why the Canons of the Church Councils — Trullo, Gangra and Laodicia as well as the rules and regulations of Sts. Dionisius, Peter and Timothy of Alexandria — order us to fast. According to Milas, “The Church has introduced fasting in a life of a Christian in order to enable man to live a life of piety and repentance. This regulation is based on the practice of the Church in the Old Testament and the examples of its Founder and the Apostles in the New Testament. The fast days which we must observe are ordered by the Church authorities and, therefore, are obligatory for all, except the sick; if a clergyman disobeys this rule he shall be deposed, and a layman excommunicated.”
5. Another aspect of fasting is abstinence
“Not many parents enjoy the disobedience of their children. God is equally unhappy to see our disobedience in spiritual matters. Fasting encourages obedience to God’s moral commands by making us center our lives around His.” In other words, our fasting should not be self-willed but obedient. When we fast, says Kallistos Ware, “we should not try to invent special rules for ourselves, but we should follow as faithfully as possible the accepted pattern set before us by Holy Tradition.” We should always rely on the spiritual advice of our priest or Father Confessor, as it was practiced in the early centuries of Church life, as Abba Antony said: “I know of monks who fell after much labor and lapsed into madness, because they trusted in their own work and neglected the commandment that says: ‘Ask your father, and he will tell you.” (Deut. 32:7).
6. Fasting ultimately brings about purity of heart. “The saints teach that for us to purify our hearts we must begin with the control of our bodily desires through fasting. As long as the flesh rules purity of heart will not exist.” In the words of St. John Chrysostom fasting implies not only abstinence from food, but from sins also. “The fast,” he insists, “should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body: the eye must abstain from impure sights, the ear from malicious gossip, the hands from acts of injustice.” It is useless to fast from food, protests St. Basil, and yet to indulge in cruel criticism and slander: “You do not eat meat, but you devour your brother.” The same point is made in the Triodion, especially during the first week of Lent: As fast from food, let us abstain also from every passion… Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. True fasting is to put away all evil, to control the tongue, to forbear from anger, to abstain from lust, slander, falsehood and perjury. If we renounce these things, then is our fasting true and acceptable to God. Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food, but by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions.
7. Fasting returns us to a “Paradise-like” way of life.
Our forefathers Adam and Eve ate only plants rather than meat or meat products. (Gen. 1:30, 9:3) “When we fast, we voluntarily return to Paradise. We do this not because it is sinful to eat meat, but because we recognize our true homeland, the Kingdom of God, and we want to reinforce this truth in our lives.” Our fasting and self-discipline, then, “signifies a rejection of the world, only in so far as it is corrupted by the fall; of the body, only in so far as it is dominated by sinful passions. Lust excludes love; so long as we lust after other persons or other things, we cannot truly love them. By delivering us form lust, the fast renders us capable of genuine love. No longer ruled by the selfish desire to grasp and to exploit, we begin to see the world with the eyes of Adam in Paradise. Our self-denial is the path that leads to our self- affirmation; it is our means of entry into the cosmic liturgy whereby all things visible and invisible ascribe glory to their Creator.”
“Not many parents enjoy the disobedience of their children. God is equally unhappy to see our disobedience in spiritual matters. Fasting encourages obedience to God’s moral commands by making us center our lives around His.” In other words, our fasting should not be self-willed but obedient. When we fast, says Kallistos Ware, “we should not try to invent special rules for ourselves, but we should follow as faithfully as possible the accepted pattern set before us by Holy Tradition.” We should always rely on the spiritual advice of our priest or Father Confessor, as it was practiced in the early centuries of Church life, as Abba Antony said: “I know of monks who fell after much labor and lapsed into madness, because they trusted in their own work and neglected the commandment that says: ‘Ask your father, and he will tell you.” (Deut. 32:7).
6. Fasting ultimately brings about purity of heart. “The saints teach that for us to purify our hearts we must begin with the control of our bodily desires through fasting. As long as the flesh rules purity of heart will not exist.” In the words of St. John Chrysostom fasting implies not only abstinence from food, but from sins also. “The fast,” he insists, “should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body: the eye must abstain from impure sights, the ear from malicious gossip, the hands from acts of injustice.” It is useless to fast from food, protests St. Basil, and yet to indulge in cruel criticism and slander: “You do not eat meat, but you devour your brother.” The same point is made in the Triodion, especially during the first week of Lent: As fast from food, let us abstain also from every passion… Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. True fasting is to put away all evil, to control the tongue, to forbear from anger, to abstain from lust, slander, falsehood and perjury. If we renounce these things, then is our fasting true and acceptable to God. Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food, but by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions.
7. Fasting returns us to a “Paradise-like” way of life.
Our forefathers Adam and Eve ate only plants rather than meat or meat products. (Gen. 1:30, 9:3) “When we fast, we voluntarily return to Paradise. We do this not because it is sinful to eat meat, but because we recognize our true homeland, the Kingdom of God, and we want to reinforce this truth in our lives.” Our fasting and self-discipline, then, “signifies a rejection of the world, only in so far as it is corrupted by the fall; of the body, only in so far as it is dominated by sinful passions. Lust excludes love; so long as we lust after other persons or other things, we cannot truly love them. By delivering us form lust, the fast renders us capable of genuine love. No longer ruled by the selfish desire to grasp and to exploit, we begin to see the world with the eyes of Adam in Paradise. Our self-denial is the path that leads to our self- affirmation; it is our means of entry into the cosmic liturgy whereby all things visible and invisible ascribe glory to their Creator.”
8. Finally, fasting is the foundation of and preparation for every spiritual effort.
“Spiritual effort presumes that we are in control of our bodies. Beyond this, fasting is the ideal preparation for spiritual celebration, such as a Easter, Christmas, and other Feasts, because when undertaken properly, fasting fills our hearts and minds with the task before us. It concentrates our spiritual energies and makes them more effective.” Thus, when Moses fasted on Mount Sinai (Exod. 34:28) and Elijah on Mount Horeb (Kings 19:8-12) , the fast was in both cases linked with a Theophany. The same connection between fasting and the vision of God is evident in the case of St. Peter (Acts 10:9-17) He went up to the housetop to pray about the sixth hour, and he became very hungry and wanted to eat; and it was in this state that he fell into a trance and heard the divine voice. Such is always the purpose of ascetic fasting — to enable us, as the Triodion puts it, to “draw near to the mountain of prayer.” Prayer and fasting should in their turn be accompanied by almsgiving, by love for others expressed in practical form, by works of compassion and forgiveness. As written in the Triodion: Knowing the commandments of the Lord, let this be our way of life: Let us feed the hungry, let us give the thirsty drink, Let us clothe the naked, let us welcome strangers, Let us visit those in prison and the sick. Then the Judge of all earth will say even to us: Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. Father Milan Savich
“Spiritual effort presumes that we are in control of our bodies. Beyond this, fasting is the ideal preparation for spiritual celebration, such as a Easter, Christmas, and other Feasts, because when undertaken properly, fasting fills our hearts and minds with the task before us. It concentrates our spiritual energies and makes them more effective.” Thus, when Moses fasted on Mount Sinai (Exod. 34:28) and Elijah on Mount Horeb (Kings 19:8-12) , the fast was in both cases linked with a Theophany. The same connection between fasting and the vision of God is evident in the case of St. Peter (Acts 10:9-17) He went up to the housetop to pray about the sixth hour, and he became very hungry and wanted to eat; and it was in this state that he fell into a trance and heard the divine voice. Such is always the purpose of ascetic fasting — to enable us, as the Triodion puts it, to “draw near to the mountain of prayer.” Prayer and fasting should in their turn be accompanied by almsgiving, by love for others expressed in practical form, by works of compassion and forgiveness. As written in the Triodion: Knowing the commandments of the Lord, let this be our way of life: Let us feed the hungry, let us give the thirsty drink, Let us clothe the naked, let us welcome strangers, Let us visit those in prison and the sick. Then the Judge of all earth will say even to us: Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. Father Milan Savich
R
i think the main idea of fasting is to weaken the flesh by denying it something that it needs...such as food...
with the flesh weakened...it has less power to control... the goal is for the spirit to have power over the flesh...instead of the other way around...
at the same time you fast you also have to feed your spirit...with bible study and meditation and prayer and praise and so on...
with the flesh weakened...it has less power to control... the goal is for the spirit to have power over the flesh...instead of the other way around...
at the same time you fast you also have to feed your spirit...with bible study and meditation and prayer and praise and so on...
Another way to look at fasting is to know that God looks on it with favor, so it is a good thing to do. We don’t know all the details about the spiritual realm of our Lord, we know it is there. We don’t even know all the exact particulars about what is happening when we pray, but we trust, worship, and pray. I don’t think we know all the details of what happens when we fast, either, but we are given instruction about how to do it, and that it is worthwhile. Do we really need more?
Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mar 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
We serve the same God as God has always been. A question to ask is why did Jesus go out into solitude (from the perspective of the flesh). Jesus fasted because He was spending time with God, not because He chose to not eat. I believe He didn't drink water, but only because Moses didn't, and I just figured He didn't either. Either way, Jesus was too busy spending 40 days and nights in focused and undistracted time with God. This is an example of what we ought to do when we have counted the cost, and this is an example from someone who knows the true cost. I'm not saying everyone should go out into the middle of the wilderness and fast for 40 days and nights, but how bout half? Why not?
I know someone very personally who did that, and he said it was by far the highlight of his experience so far. You don't come out even close to the same, you come out dead.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2Co 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
2Co 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
Mar 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
We serve the same God as God has always been. A question to ask is why did Jesus go out into solitude (from the perspective of the flesh). Jesus fasted because He was spending time with God, not because He chose to not eat. I believe He didn't drink water, but only because Moses didn't, and I just figured He didn't either. Either way, Jesus was too busy spending 40 days and nights in focused and undistracted time with God. This is an example of what we ought to do when we have counted the cost, and this is an example from someone who knows the true cost. I'm not saying everyone should go out into the middle of the wilderness and fast for 40 days and nights, but how bout half? Why not?
I know someone very personally who did that, and he said it was by far the highlight of his experience so far. You don't come out even close to the same, you come out dead.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2Co 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
2Co 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.