fasting

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
U

ukkez

Guest
#1
just woundering how many people fast, for how long and weather god answered your pray at the end, and what did you fast?

i was at a home group last night and i asked about fasting, iv done stuff for lent the 40 days without choclote or bread or fb this year, but i was told that was a catholic thing and i dont have to do it. but fasting is good with pray. well, i dont know how to go about it really. i love food, and i know its a problem with me, and there is some big things i need to pray about, so do i do it on a work day or day off and spend the whole day praying, do i do it on my own or with someone?
i do pray on the move, while im doing something, it seems to be in the evening i shut my eyes to pray and im the asleep. and during the day or morning im thinking what i have to do next, its very hard to be still and pray.

will be good to hear other peoples thoughts and experience on it. God bless x
 

T_Laurich

Senior Member
Mar 24, 2013
3,356
122
63
29
#2
I am still fresh to all these Christian idea's... But I have fasted only once recently. It wasn't for prayer but to see how hard the 40 days and nights without food must have been... And for this spoiled white american boy... I thought I was about to die from hunger (after about 13 hours). I know 13 hours without food is nothing... But yah :p.....

While I was fasting, We were gunna take sacrament that day, and for some reason the bread (cracker things) skipped me with out my knowledge. I thought that was pretty cool to be honest... :eek:
 
N

nathan3

Guest
#3
I am still fresh to all these Christian idea's... But I have fasted only once recently. It wasn't for prayer but to see how hard the 40 days and nights without food must have been... And for this spoiled white american boy... I thought I was about to die from hunger (after about 13 hours). I know 13 hours without food is nothing... But yah :p.....

While I was fasting, We were gunna take sacrament that day, and for some reason the bread (cracker things) skipped me with out my knowledge. I thought that was pretty cool to be honest... :eek:
you can take that at home,. does not have to be at a church .
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#4
just woundering how many people fast, for how long and weather god answered your pray at the end, and what did you fast?

i was at a home group last night and i asked about fasting, iv done stuff for lent the 40 days without choclote or bread or fb this year, but i was told that was a catholic thing and i dont have to do it. but fasting is good with pray. well, i dont know how to go about it really. i love food, and i know its a problem with me, and there is some big things i need to pray about, so do i do it on a work day or day off and spend the whole day praying, do i do it on my own or with someone?
i do pray on the move, while im doing something, it seems to be in the evening i shut my eyes to pray and im the asleep. and during the day or morning im thinking what i have to do next, its very hard to be still and pray.

will be good to hear other peoples thoughts and experience on it. God bless x
Fasting is typically 24 hours without food or drink. It is required once a year on the Day of Atonement, but should be done regularly (once a month is pretty much the norm). It is a day to spend in prayer, study and meditation.

ONe of the most succinct statements I ever heard about fasting is that we fast not to get God to see things our way, but to see things God's way.

More to come on fasting.
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#5
Its actually not required ever...at least not in mainstream christian circles.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#6
Its actually not required ever...at least not in mainstream christian circles.
OK, maybe not in mainstream Christian circles, but let's see what Christ says...

Mat 6:16 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.

When not if.

Mat 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
Mat 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Not might of maybe here, but rather SHALL fast.

Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

How was this foul spirit cast out? Prayer and FASTING.

Act 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Why was Cornelius fasting?

Act 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Hmmm, they prayed and fasted for God's guidance in choosing elders.

1Co 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Why in the world would Paul recognize fasting if it were not to be practiced?

2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Because Paul fasted.
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#7
My ex-wife, with fasting 3 days without water, got her dad were healed and christianized. I became lazy, but I plan to retire in my hut for 3 days without water or food, to see God's will.

When I get sleep I walk in the fields or read the bible. The important is to keep the mind on God, withyour spirit.
 
Mar 10, 2013
329
13
0
#8
I find fasting very important and I do practice it yet I think I do not practice it as much as I would like to. Generally when I fast it is 3 days and nights without food or water. Fasting is important for several reasons.

Scripture expresses that it adds power to our prayers. I find that God is continually answering my prayers so there is not (for me) any noticeable difference in God's answers. It does however benefit me in many ways. God has given all of us authority over our own bodies. Fasting is a practice of this authority essentially me speaking to my body saying, "you do not control me but I control you. You will do as I say, you have no power or authority over me."

When I fast I spend the majority of this time prostrate before God. I praise God with my mouth and tongue and speak with God mostly out loud. God often leads me to pray for certain individuals and even to pray for specific things for certain people.
Often these are things I could not know to pray for otherwise and quite often I hear from these very people expressing to me how God answered their prayers over specific things identical to what God led me to pray for. God also teaches me a multitude of things during these times. Quite often God will point out sin I am committing. HE will show me ways I have been unloving or things I need to forgive others for that I was unaware of. Often God will connect things in HIs word in ways I had not understood. It is always an amazing experience.

I try to practice fasting once every three months. There are times when God leads me into a fast. A few years ago there was a revival here in my little community. I read about it on Thursday and God led me to begin a fast(which for some reason I usually begin on Fridays) The Revival was to begin on Monday so I began this fast immediately thinking...Thursday to Sunday is three days. I intended to break my fast but God led me not to. The revival went on for ten days. Each of these days when I woke up God led me to continue my fast. I wasn't asked to speak in front of everyone because members of my church were concerned about my voice. (I did not tell anyone I was fasting and could barely speak above a whisper) Initially they did not want me to counsel either but I convinced them this is what God had called me to do. The revival was ten days. When I woke the day after the revival it was Thursday morning. I was thirsty so I made a glass of water and all that day I drank water. I have never felt closer to God, never felt His power flowing through me so perfectly, never witnessed so many miracles in the entirety of my life than in those two weeks.

I suggest to everyone to practice fasting. Put your body on the ground before God. Spend time with God. I fast because I know that I need Him and also because there is nothing like being close to Him.

When I fast I often play scripture the entire time. There are times I play Christian music also. Sometimes I focus on the music and sing along praising God. Sometimes I focus on scripture and speak the words I hear. Often by the time my fast is over I can no longer speak at all but continually am praying and praising God from my soul.

I actually haven't fasted since January. Writing about it makes me long for it. No time like now to begin! ON a Tuesday morning no less. God's peace be with you.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#9
Isa 58:2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
Isa 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Fasting to get something from God...

Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isa 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Hiding not thyself from thine own flesh has a twofold meaning...

1) take from yourself to give to others
2) to take care of your own kin

Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
Isa 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isa 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
 
E

enoch1nine

Guest
#10
We can fast from things besides food too.
And some people fast for decades without realizing it.
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#11
Man ive spent my whole life never fasted once for any reason other than, food wasnt readily available because i was sleeping, driving, or too lazy to go to the grocery store...ive come out alright.
 
U

ukkez

Guest
#12
not having any water or food fast seems very extreme, do u get anything more from doing that rather than just doing the daniel fast of fruit and water. i mean you hear of people doing a long fast and dying. but i guess 3 days is safe then?

but then in the bible it doesnt say anything about days of fasting other that jesus did it for 40days, to me it seems like a day of praying and fasting would be fine.
 
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
179
0
#13
We can fast from things besides food too.
And some people fast for decades without realizing it.
Yeah. Not to be critical, but many fast from their Bibles...... Just sayin'.
 
Mar 21, 2011
1,515
16
0
#14
If only Christians wanted to do Good works, as much as they love to fast. Neither is needed for salvation.

Not everyone can fast. People have disability problems, are on medication etc.

I find the 'fasting' culture breeds a kind of self righteous in-crowd with Churches.

I'm a person who has physical issues when I fast, so the whole pious attitude of fasters is annoying.

Whatever will I do? Oh yeah, Jesus. :)
 
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
182
0
#15
Its actually not required ever...at least not in mainstream christian circles.
Which doesn't say much for mainstream Christian circles, for in God's book it is strongly recommended.
 

Mo0448

Senior Member
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
15
38
#16
Hello,

My understanding is that fasting isn't necessarily a requirement but a way to perhaps grow closer to God...it may not necessarily be food. It can be things in your life that are taking time away from potential time spent meditating (not a lotus formation UMMMMMs kind of meditating) but a time where you reflect on God and his blessings in your life. In my early teens, I would fast and still do all things that I did normally in the day other than eat, and looking at it now in my opinion it defeated the purpose of a "fast". I believe that fasting can involve not eating but also as others mentioned can entail giving something up where you would exchange say videogames or television or computer with something that would edify your relationship with God. This is where I believe that fasting has a powerful effect on our relationship with God. For where we limit or place retrains on things that we hold important or are essential to our lives (i.e food, water , etc.) we are disciplining ourselves and allowing God's power to be perfected in us in our time of "weakness". I may be taking that scripture from Paul out of context but I believe that it is in our weakness that we can have our greatest strength not through us but through Christ, whether that is through limiting intake of food or water or anything else (I know my grandfather fasted on meat one week out of every month). I believe that when we set aside our dependency on the things that we gave up, we instead rely on God and his ability to provide for us in the way the that those things provided. After all when Jesus fasted he did not continue to do things as he normally did but secluded himself so that he could meditate and reflect on our Father.

Getting back to the question though, in the extreme case I do not believe God will deny anyone entrance to Heaven if they do not fast, but I believe that through fasting our relationship with Christ can only improve and grow. Doing so will enable us to follow more closely in His footsteps.

God Bless!
 
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
182
0
#17
not having any water or food fast seems very extreme, do u get anything more from doing that rather than just doing the daniel fast of fruit and water. i mean you hear of people doing a long fast and dying. but i guess 3 days is safe then?

but then in the bible it doesnt say anything about days of fasting other that jesus did it for 40days, to me it seems like a day of praying and fasting would be fine.
Fasting was given to us for our benefit, we can use it for several reasons. It is easy to use it without any benefits, like to show God how good we are, or to brag about denying ourselves, etc.

It is a way of putting God in control, and having God rule our hearts and mind, not our flesh. So it is usually something very private and done to fit the individual, altho sometimes our church does it as a group. A diabetic would do it in a completely different way from a healthy person.

The spiritual growth possible through fasting is tremendous. From my experience, God seems very involved and the results are more than can be explained with words.
 
May 5, 2013
161
0
0
#18
Cant imagine fasting water for 3 days, day one, and I am parched =/
You should also pick a day that is not too stressful physically, you will be weakened.
 
N

notconformed2theworld

Guest
#19
I love fasting but only after its done... lol but when I fast i truly feel great, i can really feel the presences of God maybe because I have extra time to pray and read. like on my lunch break...I can put in an hour of reading that I would normally just use to relax or whatever. When I get home I don't watch TV being that I like to eat and watch it. So I'll be reading or praying then too.
Fasting is one of the best ways to kill the desires of the flesh. But you have to know what you want from God and defiantly know how long you wanna do it. If you start a fast and don't have a purpose then Its easier for the devil to attack you.
Typically I drink water and a lot of it on my fast.
After my first day the hunger pains go away and Im able to go for 2 more days. Its hard, as I love food. But I really need things from God.(spiritual) And its like every time I fast, people wanna offer me lunch and bring food to work. Its nothing but the devil.
If you got someone to fast with...pray for each other to make it thru the fast...its a little easier to have a "fasting partner" also.
Fasting has great power tho...read the story of ninevia in the book of Jonah I think its the 3rd chapter. God was going to destroy the city but they fasted. Who knew not eating can really save your life? Lol. God loves those who will fore sake ALL and rely on him for physical and spiritual strength.
 
U

ukkez

Guest
#20
if youv prayed for something an fasted, have you kept fasting till god answer your pray?