[Note: fasting should be done after consulting with your doctor.]

Fasting

“When you fast, . . . . “
Matthew 6:16

Jesus was instructing the people. In Matthew 5 He taught the principles we now refer to as the Beatitudes. Moving into Matthew 6, He taught the principles we now refer to as The Lord's Prayer. Immediately after that is His teaching that begins “When you fast, . . . ”

He said “when,” not “if” you fast. Jesus assumed that people would fast.

What is fasting?

Years ago I discovered a nice little book called “God's Chosen Fast,” by Arthur Wallis. I recommend it if you want a quick overview of Biblical fasting. Wallis explains different methods for different lengths of time. His book helped me understand fasting as I read about it in the Bible.

The short answer is that fasting is not eating and/or not drinking. I fast between meals. I don't think that is Biblical fasting. Biblical fasting requires denying my body's natural desire to eat and drink when I am hungry and thirsty, usually for 24 hours or several days.

Why is it important?

When I fast, the energy that was being used to perform digestion is re-directed. My physical energy level remains adequate to perform daily tasks. And I have extra energy to focus on spiritual matters.

A certain clarity of mind and spirit comes when I fast. I am especially sensitive to the voice of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. One way I recognize the clarity is when it is gone. I notice after I start eating again a “cloudiness” or sluggishness returns. Again, it is difficult to explain until you have experienced it.

Along with the spiritual benefits, fasting offers tremendous physical benefits. Two books that helped me understand the physical benefits were “The Miracle of Fasting: Proven Throughout History for Physical, Mental & Spiritual Rejuvenation,” by Paul and Patricia Bragg and “A Cancer Battle Plan,” by Anne and David Frahm.

I wish I could tell you I am always motivated to fast for spiritual reasons. But I am not. Fasting can be hard. Once I decide to fast, I know there will be some difficulties getting started and keeping going. Sometimes I need to review the physical benefits for additional motivation.

When I am fasting I feel a physical “lightness.” Its hard to explain, but easy to understand once you experience it.

How do I fast?

I didn't know anyone who had much experience with fasting. I found several people who told me it was a bad idea and would negatively impact my health. But since it was commanded in the Old Testament and suggested in the New Testament, I decided to try it.

My plan was to fast for one day the first time. Then the next time, two days. Then double it each time until I reached 40 days in a row. My plan included studying about fasting each time I was doing it. I figured I would be more attentive to the concepts since I was in the middle of experiencing them.

One great benefit of fasting is that I am hungry, at least for the first 5 or 6 days. I use my hunger as a reminder to pray. Its a built in accountability mechanism. To make things simple, I prayed for things that started with the letter “H.” Hunger starts with H. When I sense I am hungry I pray for my list of things that start with the letter “H.”

My list includes:

Humility – of all my character flaws, pride is my major sin. God tells me to humble myself. I pray often that He will help me.
Health -- because fasting has physical benefits, I pray that God will continue to provide me good health so that I can serve Him whenever and wherever He wills
Heart – I pray that God will purify my heart.
Healing – if I have an ailment, a sickness, an emotional disturbance, then I pray that God will give me peace and healing.

I have been practicing fasting since 1996. I have studied the concept of fasting during that time. If I were starting over, I would start by reading “Beginner's Guide to Fasting,” by Elmer Towns. He has excellent pointers for some one starting out.

Towns suggests starting with a 24 hour fast. He suggests starting at 5:00 pm on one day and ending at 5:00 pm on the next day. That allows you to eat until 5:00 pm on the first day. You probably won't get too hungry before you go to bed. Sleep through the night. In the morning, you might be hungry, but you can go to work or school. Some distraction is available to you through out the day. Then its 5:00 pm the next day and you can break your fast. A practical way to get started!

And when you realize you are hungry, you can use it as a reminder to pray.

I also have a place in my journal to record observations made while fasting. They include spiritual and physical observations. I review them each time I fast to look for patterns. I also look for lessons I can apply the next time I fast.

The “Firsts”

First Time
The first time I fasted was tough, physically. My body went through the normal withdrawals and detoxification consistent with a poor diet. I had a headache from lack of caffeine. Without any food to digest, my body had the energy to try to process out some of the toxins that had built up over time. I highly recommend you do some research before you start, so you know what is happening to your body when you experience it.

After 12 years, my body recognizes the signals that a fast has started. It adapts much more quickly and the transition is not as harsh as it used to be. Twenty four hours is pretty easy for me now.

First Days
On an extended fast, the first five or six days are the toughest. The poorer my diet, the tougher the transition. If I can get past the first few days, I am in good shape. Once my body realizes its not getting any food, it makes the necessary adjustments to preserve itself. Energy is redirected away from digestion to cleaning and detoxification. Energy is also directed toward spiritual matters.

Somewhere between day 10 and 15, I no longer experience hunger. Food is neutral. It neither appeals to me nor does it repulse me. I seem to not care. And my energy level is good as long as I drink enough water.

When do I fast?

I fast when I have difficult decisions to make.
Some decisions are more difficult than others. Some decisions have greater consequences. I always want to do God's will for my life. Some times determining God's will for my life is more difficult than other times. I fast and pray specifically about those decisions. My extra energy is used to pray more.

I fast when I experience spiritual oppression.

I fast when I just plain don't feel well physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

I fast when I have not fasted for a while and I want the physical benefits.
Sometimes I just feel sluggish and want the physical “tune-up” that comes from fasting.

I fast when I want to work on getting rid of a bad habit.
A few years ago I finally understood how bad drinking soda pop was for me. I determined that I would use one of my planned fasting times to wean myself off of soda pop and give it up for good. I am glad to report that I am still not drinking soda pop.

A year or two ago I tried fasting to quit watching television. I am sorry to report that bad habit did not entirely go away.

I fast when I want to add a major good habit into my life.
I used fasting to help me develop the habit of getting up earlier in the morning.

Fasting changes my regular routine and makes it easier to add or remove other habits besides eating.

When you decide to fast, be prepared to meet resistance from people and from Satan. When I started fasting, I received very little support before, during or after I fasted. I received advice and commentary from a number of Christians and non-Christians alike. All of which had no experience with fasting. Additionally, Satan wanted me to be discouraged and quit or decide not to start in the first place.

Now, people accept that I fast. Most of them have no idea when I am fasting because I don't tell anyone. However, with a longer fast, I usually end up in situations where people would expect me to eat and I have to politely decline. If they inquire further, I will answer their questions.

People interested in fasting ask me if I have ever tried it. I am happy to share my experiences with them and encourage them to try it for themselves.

When you find someone who has seriously considered and tried fasting, then you will find support. Until then, God will always be on your side.

Do some research. Read a book. Search the Internet. Ask someone with experience. Then try it for yourself!

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