When / how to fast

[ciicii]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.
Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that. Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.
I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand. Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened. Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction. Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.
So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.
Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God. But there is nothing but distruction.
And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.
I am juat looking for relief and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

 

[GWH]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.
Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that. Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.
I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand. Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened. Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction. Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.
So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.
Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God. But there is nothing but distruction.
And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.
I am juat looking for relief and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

I fasted a few days when I was in my twenties, which did keep God more in mind, but lately my desire to fast and lose weight bumps up against my belief in not wasting food and I am the main one who eats our leftovers, so it is a struggle of a different sort.
(Romans 7 :^)?

 

[Dino246]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.
Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that. Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.
I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand. Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened. Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction. Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.
So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.
Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God. But there is nothing but distruction.
And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.
I am juat looking for relief and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

Hi Ciicii...
God does not expect you to spend "every minute praying or reading scripture". He knows your schedule and physical limitations, and though at times He may call you to stretch beyond what you think are reasonable limits, He isn't going to destroy you for getting tired or distracted.

The point of fasting is denying your physical need for food so that you can focus on Him. Instead of beating yourself up, start by skipping one meal and spending that time praying, reading, and meditating.

I would add that starting a disciplinary practice such as fasting in the midst of a crisis isn't the best approach, but you have to start where you are. I strongly recommend a book by Richard Foster called Celebration of Discipline. It covers fasting and several other faith-building practices.

 

[Drich]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.

I was in a 5 year trial. Started with my dad dying in 2019 then three months later my brother, then a few months after that found out my mom had cancer and on on on it went. Then I started fasting. Changed everything. Changed my look on everything.

Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that.

Dont eat... for days..

Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.

You don't have to do a formal prayer or read scripture all day. Just open a dialog with God and never close it. (AKA Pray without ceasing) Just talk to God off and on all day. Read the bible when you can. Note, when Jesus gave this command only about 4% of the population could read. While it helps it is not apart of fasting.

I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand.

You can, but remember mat 6:
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened.

IF God answered your prayer in a way not consistent with how you wanted the prayer to be answered how then would you know God did not answer your prayer?

Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction.

..and if this road/these trials are what it takes for you to maintain or even grow in your faith, so you can be the wife/mother God wants you to be? (Rhetorical/do not answer) How much are you willing to give to have these things? Are you willing to trade your place in heaven to have these things now? If No, but you still want these things then know God is going to have to help you make changes in your life. This help comes in the form of trials most of the time.

Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.

If forgivness needs to be demanded or it feels that way/If you are not willing to forgive instantly because you know your sins will not be forgiven then maybe this trial is what you need at this moment. Forgivness is the key to our Salvation. without a willingness to forgive our sins will not be forgiven. Jesus tells us this multiple times:
14 “For if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, neither will your Father forgive your sins.

So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.

There are two types of fasting one with water and food one without water and food.

Do not do a dry fast if you are very active or more than a couple of days. First 72 hours of a food fast is the toughest, but once you break that barrier things get easier.

Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God.

And if bring God glory means we must endure hardship for a prolong period of time like every single character in the bible did?

But there is nothing but distruction.

God sends the Wind and rain to destroy anything Not built on the Foundation He has told us to build on.

And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.

What helped me to learn to forgive was the understanding that my sins will not be forgiven if I do not forgive others.

I am juat looking for relief

apart from fasting If you need break/temporary relief simply ask God for mercy, and keep asking till He provides it.

Psalms 6 and 13 really helped me through my trials. I took David's laments and turned them into a prayer for me:

Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 6 - New International Version

Psalm 6 - For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long...

www.biblegateway.com

and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

Fasting is only complicated if we try and come up with reasons to eat something and still call it fasting.

Don't eat, and open a dialog with God, and just talk to Him all day. After I did this He began showing me things in my life that I needed to let Go of. If and when I did let Go my life became more manageable.

 

[Roger316]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.
Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that. Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.
I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand. Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened. Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction. Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.
So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.
Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God. But there is nothing but distruction.
And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.
I am juat looking for relief and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

Fasting helps you focus your mind and heart on God. I can not tell you to fast; that is a decision you need to make because it can have detrimental medical effects on some people. If you are young and healthy, you can probably attempt a small fast, but if you have any doubts, ask your doctor.

It is very important that you stay hydrated during your fast. Drink a lot of water during your fast. Carry a water bottle around.

It will take your body about three days to reach a place where you stop being hungry. I would begin by fasting for four or five days and then break your fast. You want to go a bit past three days but not overdo it. You will need to strategize about how to go about life with a normal routine and avoid making dinner plans with others. Be honest with your husband.

Start your fast Friday night. Skip the Friday night meal. End your fast with an evening meal. The weekend will help you because you won't be at work or in meetings during the day or be tempted to break your fast at the cafeteria or a vending machine.

At least once a day, find a quiet place to be alone and sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. You will calm your mind by resting with both feet on the floor and your hands at your sides or on your lap. You will close your eyes and notice your hands, the silence, the sounds in the background. If you have thoughts let them fade into the background. Notice them, but don't engage. Take deep breaths and let the air out slowly -- in through the mouth and out through the nose. As you exhale, feel the tension leave your body. With your eyes closed, imagine the inside of your eyelids as a movie screen, and let the image appear and disappear as you rest quietly. On your fourth day of fasting, your urge to eat will diminish and you will add prayer to your fasting. Don't make any requests, just praise God and offer him thanksgiving. You can be general at first saying, "Thank you Lord for my life." But as you progress, you will begin to be specific. "Thank you Lord for helping me love the truth and follow Jesus." Things like that.

Stop after five days. When you end your fast don't eat a heavy meal. Have fruit or soup or cottage cheese, or mashed potatoes, or applesauce.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[Watchman22]

I have been in a lot of distress and total hoplessness. I am praying for God to help me give me some relief it has literally been years of agony that just gets worse.
And now there is this divorce still living with this guy until he moves out.
And idk what my future hilds but it feels like i have lost it.
And everything i start is in vein.
Somone said maybe i should fast but idk how to do that. Bc i cannot spend every single second praying, reading scripture and honestly as of kate i have just wanted to zone out when i get a chance.
I still do my daily readings and prayer and pray like throughout the day. But i know we need to be intentional with fasting ask for aomething specific to see or ubderatand. Idk and right now i dont mind trying to fast alrhough it hasnt really worked in my experience. I fasted and prayed in the beginning, not just water but i did my best and nothing happened. Still a divorce still no children (late miscarriage), still no direction. Just more demand to forgive and then ... nothing.
So i would like insight on what to do and what it would look like if i do fast.
Because i still want relief, i still want a spouse, still want to feel like i am worth something, tgat sonething good will happe or i will achieve at least one Goal that glorifies God. But there is nothing but distruction.
And i do ask for forgiveness but i am still bitter towards the man betraying me so yeah idk.
I am juat looking for relief and if i fast i need some guidance bc clearly im doing it wrong

Hi ciicii, we talked a bit when you first came in.

Here is an example of what I see your describing and trying to figure out.

In the middle east, there are these2 bodies of water, the sea of Galilee, and the dead sea. These 2 bodies of water are both fed by the same tributary, the Jordan river.

So why is one alive and flourishing, and the other completely dead with no life? It's because the sea of Galilee has an outlet, and the dead sea doesn't.

We are the same way. If we do not have an outlet, we will surely spiritually die.

Christianity in a nutshell is , deny self, take up your cross, and follow me. Denying self is continually surrendering your life to Him. Taking up your cross is taking someone else's burdens upon yourself and making them your own. Thats the outlet! Thats what you need to make sure is part of your relationship with Him. If you don't, it's like kinking off a hose and all that pressure builds up and eventually explodes.

God will put those opportunities in front of you, don't pass them up.

Jay

 

[tourist]

I was in a 5 year trial. Started with my dad dying in 2019 then three months later my brother, then a few months after that found out my mom had cancer and on on on it went. Then I started fasting. Changed everything. Changed my look on everything.

Your 2019 account sounds like mine. Lost my dad in 2008. In 2019 lost my mom to cancer and the horrible tragedy of my younger brother dying.