Fasting for Lent?

[NukePooch]

So...if you fast from something for the season of Lent (which starts in a few weeks), what do you fast from? (And, yes, I put up a poll...)

I tend to not fast during the season of Lent, but rather I fast a couple times a year when led to. When I fast, I tend to either stop drinking coffee or do a media fast.

Here's a nice how-to video from How To Liz...She's going to learn how to fast!

YouTube - How To Liz - Ep 08: How to Fast

 

[DanuckInUSA]

I misunderstood. I fast but not from food, I gave up meat 2 years ago and last year I gave up Facebook

 

[zeroturbulence]

I always tell myself that I'm not going to eat meat on Fridays but then I forget that its Friday, or I forget that its Lent.

 

[NukePooch]

I always tell myself that I'm not going to eat meat on Fridays but then I forget that its Friday, or I forget that its Lent.

That has always been my problem...when I haven't been led, and my head isn't totally in it, fasting by the calendar doesn't usually work for me.

 

[zeroturbulence]

That has always been my problem...when I haven't been led, and my head isn't totally in it, fasting by the calendar doesn't usually work for me.

Be glad we aren't muslim because they have to fast for 14 days straight during ramadan and they aren't even allowed to drink water. They have to fast for 14 hours a day. I hear that they cheat by sleeping during the day and then doing their work and stuff at night, but still that is not only difficult but downright dangerous to one's health.

 

[thimsrebma]

Be glad we aren't muslim because they have to fast for 14 days straight during ramadan and they aren't even allowed to drink water. They have to fast for 14 hours a day. I hear that they cheat by sleeping during the day and then doing their work and stuff at night, but still that is not only difficult but downright dangerous to one's health.

Actually when I first became a Christian I fasted for 40 days, only eating when the sun was down (similar to Rahmadan). Most of the time i missed breakfast because I didnt wake up early enuf and I didnt eat dinner until after sunset. It was in the late spring so it was usually around 9pm before I could eat dinner. Somedays it was very hard but it was the best time of my life.

 

[seoulsearch]

Great question, Nuke.

Although I don't fast for Lent, I do try to fast throughout the year--a good friend and I will be participating in a 3-day fast this coming week, as we both feel led to fast and seek God in the area of overcoming our fears.

I originally grew up in a church that did not believe in fasting but I'm glad to have been introduced to it in later years--it's never easy, but I truly believe it is an immensely powerful spiritual tool.

I am also trying to give up processed sugar, or at least, cut back significantly... (a.k.a., candy, desserts, and even chocolate), which had become its own food group to me and is one of my biggest weaknesses. I can't say I'm having a roaring success, but I'm trying to start over everyday!

 

[Jullianna]

That has always been my problem...when I haven't been led, and my head isn't totally in it, fasting by the calendar doesn't usually work for me.

Amen. And, truthfully, fasting food doesn't really work for me either because I tend to get busy and forget to eat anyway. Fasts for me are usually more personal in nature and less obvious to others.

 

[NukePooch]

Did anyone watch the How To Liz video I posted? I was wondering what you thought...

 

[NodMyHeadLikeYeah]

im still trying to figure out what lent is

 

[NukePooch]

It's what happens when your next door neighbor borrows your ladder...it's lent.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Amen. And, truthfully, fasting food doesn't really work for me either because I tend to get busy and forget to eat anyway. Fasts for me are usually more personal in nature and less obvious to others.

I wish I had that problem.

 

[zeroturbulence]

im still trying to figure out what lent is

Its that stuff that comes off of your clothes in the dryer.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Actually when I first became a Christian I fasted for 40 days, only eating when the sun was down (similar to Rahmadan). Most of the time i missed breakfast because I didnt wake up early enuf and I didnt eat dinner until after sunset. It was in the late spring so it was usually around 9pm before I could eat dinner. Somedays it was very hard but it was the best time of my life.

How was that the best time of your life?

 

[thimsrebma]

How was that the best time of your life?

It really brought me closer to God. I think there is something about physically nearly starving that you gain a stronger spiritual hunger and seek him all day. I found myself praying constantly and also not desiring anything more than His word and more knowledge of Him.

I have since thried to fast again, but it hasn't gone as well. It ttotally think that it has to be something you are called to do or you will not be too motivated.

 

[Pinemeadowsgeorge]

Part of the reason you fast is to not talk about it

 

[Consumed]

isaiah 58:3 ‘Why have we fasted and You do not see?​

Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’​

Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,​

And drive hard all your workers.​

4 “Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.​

You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.​

5 “Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?​

Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed​

And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?​

Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?​

6 “Is this not the fast which I choose,​

To loosen the bonds of wickedness,​

To undo the bands of the yoke,​

And to let the oppressed go free​

And break every yoke?​

7 “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry​

And bring the homeless poor into the house;​

When you see the naked, to cover him;​

And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?​

8 “Then your light will break out like the dawn,​

And your recovery will speedily spring forth;​

And your righteousness will go before you;​

The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.​

9 “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;​

You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’​

If you remove the yoke from your midst,​

The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,​

10 And if you give yourself to the hungry ​

And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,​

Then your light will rise in darkness​

And your gloom will become like midday.​

11 “And the LORD will continually guide you,​

And satisfy your desire in scorched places,​

And give strength to your bones;​

And you will be like a watered garden,​

And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.​

NT Jesus says in Matt 6 ​

16“When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.​

i like how Jesus says "when" not if

 

[zeroturbulence]

It really brought me closer to God. I think there is something about physically nearly starving that you gain a stronger spiritual hunger and seek him all day. I found myself praying constantly and also not desiring anything more than His word and more knowledge of Him.

I have since thried to fast again, but it hasn't gone as well. It ttotally think that it has to be something you are called to do or you will not be too motivated.

Thats awesome! Its just too bad that the muslims are fasting for a false god.