Is fasting from food still relevant

[Miri]

I delved into this last year and fasted for the day, it was something I felt
I had to do, I can't explain why, I just did.

So much had gone on last year that God was getting pushed out of my
peripheral vision so to speak and I just needed God.

There is nothing magical in not eating. It's just a way of saying God you
are of more value than food and a way of expressing how serious
you are at wanting to draw near to God.

I planned the day out, chose a day when I was not going anywhere. I set out
a sort of loose schedule which included, pray times, bible reading times,
also reading Christian books, listening to worship songs and having a time of
worship. Also I included a time to have a nap and break times to have something
to drink.

I had no idea how it would turn out but the time just flew by and I felt so close to
God, I was so blessed. I felt such peach despite the turmoil which was going on.

Its not so much what you give up, it's about setting time aside to spend it
with God and what you do with that time.

The funny thing was that it was in December when it gets dark around 3pm in
this part of the world. About 5pm there was a power cut, no lights no nothing!

So I had to go around the house finding torches and lighting candles.
I know it sounds stupid but I felt as if I really had entered into the holy of
holies. Lol

I can't even remember when we had the last power cut, may 7-8 years ago and we
have not had one since! I don't think it was a coincidence. Lol.

 

[Miri]

Incidentally fasting is one of the most misunderstood practises of the bible.
The reason being is down the ages people have gotten it into their head that
it is sinful to talk about, but it's not the case.

Its because people don't understand the following verses and it is assumed
fasting must be top secret. But if that is the case then praying must be top
secret also. Lol

It's about praying and fasting for the right reasons, not the wrong reasons.
To do so to seek God not to gain the praise of men etc.

Both fasting and praying can be conducted on an individual basis or by a
group of people for example.





Matthew 6:5-7,16-18 NKJV
[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 openly. [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.

[16] "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.
For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly,
I say to you, they have their reward. [17] But you, when you fast, anoint your head
and wash your face, [18] so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your
Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

[Mitspa]

"Neglect of the body is of no value against the indulgence of the flesh"... a true fast to God is described in Isa 58 as sharing your bread with the hungry , giving them shelter ..not hiding oneself from their own flesh.

 

[resurrection33]

Cant you fast from food but supply the needed sugar somehow? Just asking. If not, I think that you can fast from other desires of body with the same result, i.e. learning how to control yourself and how to get more time for God.

I know of no way to keep my blood sugar at a safe level without eating. Some people think to keep your blood sugar up, you simply need to eat sugar. It doesn't work that way. My understanding is that the sugar is burned up within thirty minutes after you ingest it. I've been told that starch, which turns into sugar, will last for three to six hours. It's starch, then, that I try to get into my body.

As for fasting from other things, of course we never want to sin, so fasting from sin isn't an answer. I suppose I could fast from things I enjoy, but if we have no enjoyment, then resisting the temptation to sin becomes difficult, doesn't it?

 

[JosephsDreams]

I know of no way to keep my blood sugar at a safe level without eating. Some people think to keep your blood sugar up, you simply need to eat sugar. It doesn't work that way. My understanding is that the sugar is burned up within thirty minutes after you ingest it. I've been told that starch, which turns into sugar, will last for three to six hours. It's starch, then, that I try to get into my body.

As for fasting from other things, of course we never want to sin, so fasting from sin isn't an answer. I suppose I could fast from things I enjoy, but if we have no enjoyment, then resisting the temptation to sin becomes difficult, doesn't it?

Well I personally know some people who have fasted on water for 30 days.
I also know of people who have fasted on fresh veggie juices, like carrots, apples, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, etc for 21 days and longer. But it is true, the carrots and apples have a form of sugar in them.
I have fasted on just water for many days. No sugar in that.

 

[Chester]

I think that Biblically fasting was always abstaining from food. Certainly abstaining from things such as videos, music, or TV can be helpful and beneficial, but I would see this as something different than "fasting". Obviously it depends on how you want to define "fasting".

I think that the good old fast of only water is still very much in vogue in God's eyes. Whether it is for spiritual direction, for spiritual warfare, or for overcoming sin patters, etc. fasting is a powerful tool that God has made available for the Christian.

Fasting itself will not make you more spiritual or give you "power", but if done for God's kingdom, it can be a powerful tool for good.

Length of fast? Let God lead you by His Spirit - 1,3,7, 21, or even 40 day fasts can be used.

 

[jaybird88]

Is fasting from food still relevant or is God looking for you to fast from maybe TV or video games? Or do you just fast from food?

like PH said. depriving your body of food raises your spiritual awareness so your not really going to get the same affect from cutting out tv. but still not a bad idea.

 

[azlightsout]

One would think so .

 

[Demi777]

Of course it is still relevant Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

 

[mar09]

Of course it is still relevant Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

There was a book i came across on cleansing/detoxing, wc said unless we're a die-hard nutritionist or a medical professional specializing in the gut, cleansing or delving into the details of fasting is not something most of us think about. But they said (one author a nutritional consultant) a monthly cleanse or fast for a day or more is beneficial for people, for it gives the gut time to rest and also remove what has accumulated and needs to out of the system. i believe it is not just physical benefits tho, as Jesus said.

 

[Talishi]

Of course it is still relevant Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

So we still cast out demons in 2016?

 

[p_rehbein]

Fasting does not have to be only about "food." Yes. Fasting, as a way of worshiping God is still relevant to the Church today.