How can my fasting be best effectively done? When I fast I do it for 12 hours with only glasses of water. I keep my mind clear of any obvious sinful interruption(what kind of programs I listen to on Radio, what talk am involved in...) I pray to God that my day may end well without snapping at people; dealing well with them. I must confess that I rarely pray yet I should. If I pray that is in the morning as I travel to work. The rest of the day am just careful not to step on anybody's toes. Then also when I retire home and am ready to break my fast. Of late I have been bringing something to eat at breaktea in the office for staff but I also try to do it when am not fasting, but I feel as though I dont do it adequately. Please advise on how best I can do it. God bless.

Erona - It sounds like your heart is right and that you have the right attitude regarding fasting. The purpose of a fast is to cause us to more fully turn ourselves to God. When a fast is properly done, all thoughts about food will immediately be turned toward God. Our time during a fast gives us a picture of the relationship God desires. He wants us to turn to Him and be in His presence all through our day. It sounds like this is what you are doing.

My only recommendation might be to extend your fast a little. Try to fast for 24 hours and see how your evening with the Lord progresses. Don't do this more than once a week and not any longer without some more guidance, but 24 hours can be a very safe and effective fast.

Erona,

I once wrote to a member named Lexxy about fasting. Here is some information that might help you while your trying to fast. Be sure you pray before you fast. I agree with Steve about extending it to 24 hours or if you have instructions from our Lord to go longer thats between you and God. I hope this helps.

Fasting and praying>( Exodus 34:28; 1 king19:1-8; Matthew 4:1,2) When Moses and Elijah were confronted with an important mission from God, they fasted and prayed for 40 DAYS. Jesus went on a 40 days fast before begining of his ministry. You can be sure that Satan will attempt to discourage you from fasting and praying. That's why fasting and praying is so vitally important.

When fasting and praying it can give you a deeper understanding of God's Word.

When Jesus completed His 40 day fast, The Bible says, "He returned in the power of the Spirit to Gailee. I believe when you fast it should be under God's provision. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and you will have a fresh demonstration of the power of God.

When fasting and praying will be a time to be cleansed and a time of sanctification. Free from all unrighteousness.

Fasting is not a subsitute for obedience.

Some reasons for fasting.

To increase our sensitivity to the voice of God(Daniel 9:3)

To seek God's protection over our lives (Ezra 8:21-23)

To seek deliverance from the ememy(II CHRON 20:3-30), and to receive spiritual power(Matthew 4)

May the Power of the Holy Spirit come over you while you seek Him even more!!!!

John Trevino

It was interesting to me this topic came up because a number of my friends are involved in a fast this week for a situation of reconciliation.

As I was looking for scriptures relating to fasting, it brought up questions for me as well – particularly concerning the purpose of a fast. And both your replies have helped with my questions.

My thoughts were that the purpose of fasting is to humble ourselves before the Lord, to direct our attention on Him and not upon ourselves. I would say the effectiveness of a fast is not based upon the specifics of how long and what is allowed in the way of eating or drinking per se. As Steve replied we need to have wisdom in this. If we were to concentrate more upon the length and what we consume or don't consume, it is bound to detract from our original purpose.

This is a question rather than a statement – I am also wondering if there are some prerequisites (though not necessarily set in concrete)? Such as our attitude that we not do it to be noticed (Matt. 6:17-18), and having already a heart turned toward Him with an attitude of repentance (Joel 2:12)?

Any thoughts on this?

God bless,

Chelki

Psalm 3:3 "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Thanx for the responses, but I realise that nobody has mentioned that you can fast for a purpose in your(my) life. So am I actually wondering, is it wrong to fast, because I want certain things straight/happen in my life? For a relative to get healing? And so on? The other one is more important of course - getting more closer to God, but dont we live with him everyday, talking to him and trying to listen to him. Please reply.

Erona,
Of course you can fast for a specific purpose- what I do when I fast is to pray every time that I feel hungry/ thirsty/ tired (depending on what I'm fasting from!) specifically about that subject- as the fast progresses my mind is more continually on bringing that subject/ person before the Lord. You can fast from things other than food as well. Yes, of course we live each day in the presence of God, but in fasting to some degree our physical hunger becomes a prophetic symbol of what is happening spiritually- "Lord, may I hunger for your will to be done in this particualar area, just as I hunger for food at the moment".
I hope that helps
with love in our Saviour
Katya

1 John 3:1 "What love the father has lavished on us, that we might be called children of God"

Hi Erona!

I am new here but saw your post and wanted to reply. I have begun fasting, not regularly, but periodically...and have found it to be a great blessing. When done 'right' I am not hungry, irritable, or anything, and I pray to God almost all day long while I am at work and going about my duties, etc.

I read a great book called Hunger For God (it is by John Piper) which I thought was going to be about a desire (hunger) for God....to my surprise it is about desiring God but through fasting and how the two are tied together.

I really recommend it. It deals with fasting and our heart focus and reveals God's plan for fasting through scripture.

I notice your post says "from Kampala, Uganda" - I do not know if this is your present location and if you have means to get this book. If not, I'd be willing to send you a copy.

Blessings as you seek God through prayer and fasting!!!

~Blessings & Peace,
DOXA

Erona
I'm glad you wrote in again. Did you see my reply to your last post? I explained a few things. About fasting for something you are believing God for, Yes do that. Just 2 days ago I fasted 24 hours before my dad's surgery for his salvation and so he would come through the surgery ok. He is 75 and the surgery was very risky. Praise God forever more he came through great and no complications and he said he appreciated our prayers and promised he would get in church! I of course prayed for others as well but mainly for him and my mom. When fasting try reading his word more and maybe some christian tv, radio, or internet articles and sermons, prayer chains,or read christian related books, listen to christian tapes or radio teaching or music. Go about your work as usual, but through out the day shoot up little silent prayers and praise and thanks to God. Also you might sing to him if you're alone. It is important to have some time to just be quiet before him, know that he is God and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ( Hebrews 11:5-7 ) You are doing ok. I try not to fast when I know I'll be going out to eat so I won't be tempted as much. Smile and be blessed.

Hi Erona

My advice to you is don't fast unless the Lord tells you to, and He sends confirmation as well.

Fasting makes you soooo sensitive to the spiritual realm, and that's why, as John Trevino said on the 3rd of March you will become sensitive to the voice of God (Dan 9:3). So, let the Lord lead you to whether you must fast for certain things / people.

Remember, if you fast you must pray! Otherwise you are only sustaining yourself from food, and not being effective in the Kingdom.

Once you feel that the Lord confirmed your fast, try and do it on your off day. There are way too many things in a workplace that will distract you.

And if some of your questions are still not answered, then take the Word of God, and ask the Helper to help you.

God Bless ya!!!

Hi All,

this has been an interesting post about fasting. Fasting can be about food, however Spiritual fasting is also turning away or abstaining from anything not of God. Daniel was put on a vegetable and water fast, we have a diet close to Daniel's. My son and I have been on a fast and it has been for many years. Firstly it started with diet and abstaining from meat, then the perservities and additives went, then the unnecessary unhealthy treats (takeaways) went...then it went into our behaviour, then lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, then sex went for me - Dylan's to young , then relationships, then University went, now the TV and media went and God is on our minds continually. It was replaced with an insaitable desire for the word, continual prayer and fellowship with God..the distractions were taken away.

This call for Fasting led us into a wilderness experience and at times we felt like Job being disciplined. Now we are out of discipline and into pruning and abiding, which I absolutely love, this is what Jesus talked about in John 15. By doing so my son and I have found freedom, that Christ talked about...we hear him in our minds, we feel him and have to follow his call on our lives. Now our home is going through a fasting, everything is being put into God's order, God wants our home turned into a church and so we follow as we perpare for what he has us to do. He has called us into a rebuilding of the temple and I trust when we finish and complete the order time the rebuilding will come. We are given tasks to do that are challenging, right now God has delivered me into a sleep fast, where I am woken up at 2am, 3am and I have to write to different people and tell them things of God, write about scriptures, help people, pray, share stories, experiences etc..learn.

This is a living spiritual fast, it is a calling and a training period. It is because God has something for us to do and is preparing us. He also gave us this desire, so much we hunger for it, if we don't do it we go through distress because we feel his disconnection and distance... When I didn't understand what was happening, it was horrible. Now I do I can only go forward for Him and with him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, focusing on the prize of Jesus and salvation. Now we have communication with God, not only does he hear us, he answers and I feel, hear what he wants and his promptings.

This type of fast isn't for everyone, this is a call, it also has been really challenging, however we received the gift of his faith by doing so. When it comes to fasting, if u hear a call follow it, it won't be easy however it will be effective and in the end be a blessing.

There is an interesting article on fasting at

http://www.christian-fasting.com/

which writes about this and also help put our lives and puts what was and still is happening into perspective.

love and blessings in the Lord,

Serenity

Oh No! Can I just give up fasting? Am not doing it so well.. Serenity, you have made me feel like am wasting my time to fast, but well it's a good lesson for me and I wont give up. It's unfortunate that I can only fast when am at work - I feel that I can do it best there unlike at home where I can easily be tempted to go to the fridge and pick smthg 2 eat when hunger is wringing hard in the stomach.

Thx and pray for me to learn to get closer to God.

Hi MJCares,

I am sorry if u received from my post that u r wasting your time fasting, I don't know how it could because since we are fasting I know it hasn't been a waste for us. The point was fasting is not just about food, this is the type of fast as in Isaiah 58 :6-12 not everyone will be called into a dramatic fast, some it will just be about food for others it will be fasting from the world or activity or even certain relationships etc.... Keep going with it, for the Lord is leading you. I found out why mine and my son's is a dramatic fast, because we have been called into his priesthood, into leadership and we are going through a really intense training period right now. A person sent me a book today about this. Anyway, the Lord will direct your steps, God bless, please keep my son in your thoughts and prayers, he is going through a huge thing at present and is experiencing intense pain...despite that he has had a good day with only a couple of painful episodes lasting minutes...managed him to shift his focus so now we have some peace...

love and blessings in the Lord,

serenity

Doxa, thx for your response to fasting. I had written to you privately. Am just eager to hear from you. Plz check your private GDW mail. I can only know this the following day as our times differ. God bless you too.