Questions regarding Fasting

[LydiaJoy]

I’ve never really fasted before, because I’ve suffered from disordered eating since around the age of turning 13, 45 years ago. I want to fast, because I want to hear from God, I want to be close to Him and I want to know His will for my life. Also, I feel like I need deliverance from not being happy with my life, I don't know if it's depression/anxiety or what. I'm extremely blessed, but I don't think I've ever experienced Joy, which is the fruit of the spirit I want to have, hence I put it in my username. Since I have the next 12 weeks off from work, I thought it would be a good time to fast.

How do you fast? How do you know what to deny yourself and for how long? Details like that I don’t understand. For those who have fasted, how did you determine the details like that of your fast? Also, any other suggestions for what worked best for you...

I like this article regarding fasting:

26 Fasting Scriptures for Breakthrough (Plus Printable)

Are you in desperate need of God’s deliverance in some area of your life or a loved one’s life? So am I. Do you want to experience breakthrough in your prayer life? Have you considered fasting?

www.ladiesdrawingnigh.org

It states:

Fasting is a time of self-denial which helps us to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God, the lover of our soul. Fasting is not primarily about denying our need for food, but rather, drawing closer to God for Him to meet our needs in new ways. It’s about refining our desires so they are aligned more fully with God’s perfect will…so that our hearts are more fully surrendered to His will than ever before.

It’s not that fasting alone will bring about our breakthrough. Fasting doesn’t trick, or manipulate, God into answering our prayers. Fasting does not guarantee that we will receive what we want from God. (David fasted and prayed for the life of his son. But God had another plan. 2 Samuel 12:16-23)

But rather, fasting enhances our prayers and intensifies them, opening doors that might otherwise be closed to us. Some things only come by prayer and fasting.

Sometimes prayer alone is not enough.

Prayer and fasting go hand in hand when we would seek God for help in dire circumstances. God desires to deliver His children from all their troubles. (Psalms 34:17) But He wants us to ask and seek Him through prayer…and fasting…as we feel led.

 

[mattfivefour]

How do you fast? How do you know what to deny yourself and for how long? Details like that I don’t understand. For those who have fasted, how did you determine the details like that of your fast? Also, any other suggestions for what worked best for you...

Personally, I do not fast regularly ... although some people do. I fast when I feel led to. And I always make sure that it is for the right reason: to focus on my relationship with God.

I have fasted from all food and pleasant beverages, limiting myself to just water for s day or two. And I have fasted from anywhere from one meal to three meals for one day. But always making sure I drink sufficient water. For longer periods I have fasted only from food while continuing drinking liquids from teas to juices.

There is no right or wrong way to fast. Just do what you want in order to focus on God. It's not a marathon race. Nor is it to be a chance to prove something to yourself, God, or others. Just as God wants a cheerful giver, I believe He wants a cheerful faster. We shouldn't fast grudgingly. The idea is to deny yourself something pleasant and, in its place, spend the time with God. So the act itself is more important than the method.

I hope this helps a little.

 

[Tall Timbers]

When I was a lot younger I used to fast a lot. Back then I'd go without food and anything else, no drinks either, for the duration of the fast. In my case I start a fast in the evening, then go a night, a day, and a night for a fasting period, up to three days. Don't know if I've ever gone more than 3 days.

A lot of people will skip a meal or a favorite food and call that a fast... that wouldn't work for me.

As I got older I had to stay hydrated during a fast so I only eliminated food and any drink that included calories. It also got harder for me to fast as I would get cramps in my legs and whatnot so I couldn't fast as long as I used to.

When I was doing missionary work in Colombia, I remember doing a monthly one day fast (night, day, night). I'd go to a neighboring farm, grab a chair, and take it to one of their fields. That family had attack dogs but it seemed that once I had been greeted and accepted by the family members the dogs would remember and leave me be. Getting to the house without getting attacked by their dogs or their flock of killer geese was a real challenge.

My fasting days are mostly behind me now but they hold a special place in my heart. I encourage Believers to fast and pray. The praying and scripture reading is an important part of the process. In this day and age where we have a 5 second attention span, praying can sometimes be challenging. Fasting can help one focus on prayer.

 

[Hol]

I fast when I sense God’s leading, and have found it really boosts my prayer life. I haven’t any set rules about what I fast from or for how long. I like this:

He wants a cheerful faster

Regarding your past struggles over eating, I’ve found that surrendering daily food and beverages helps us trust God better and understand more how He is our provider. Maybe this is part of His plan to heal you.

I think you’ll be surprised as God leads you and pours out wisdom into you