Fasting
Introduction to the Disciplines
¡ “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” Richard Foster
¡ Spiritual disciplines serve to help ordinary, busy, working men and women to grow deeper in their relationship with God
¡ “As the deer pants for water streams, so my soul longs for You, Oh God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.” Psalm 42:1-2
The Basic Purpose
¡ Romans 7:5ff Sin is an ingrained habit in people.
¡ Will-power cannot save us Colossians 2:20-23 KJV
¡ By grace, God gives us the free gift of righteousness Romans 5:17
¡ The spiritual disciplines are the means by which we receive the gift of God’s grace.
¡ Wesley called the Disciplines the “Means of Grace”
¡ To cause a “free flow” of God’s Spirit into our lives.
¡ To produce victorious, Fruitful lives.
¡ “Everyone thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself” Leo Tolstoy
Fasting
¡ Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes
¡ Choosing to go without food for a specific time in order to seek God and His will with more passion and intensity.
¡ Fasting without prayer is starvation
Types of Fasts
¡ Normal fast = All food, solid or liquid, but not water – Matthew 4:2 and Luke 4:2
¡ Partial fast = abstaining from certain foods and luxuries - Daniel 10:3
¡ Daniel Fast = Fresh fruit and vegetables – Daniel 1:8-16
¡ Absolute fast = abstaining from food and drink (Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9)
¡ Corporate fast = in times of emergency – 2 Chr. 20:1-4; Joel 2:15; Ezra 8:21-23; e.g. 1756 British fast
Should I Fast?
¡ Matthew 6:16 – it is as crucial as giving and praying (v.2 and 5)
¡ Matthew 9:15 – Yes, now is the season of Christian fasting
¡ It is Jesus’ expectation that His followers will fast.
Primary Purpose
¡ Matthew 6:16-18: Motive is all-important
¡ Fasting must be in order to strengthen our focus on God. (Zechariah 7:5)
¡ Hence worship and fasting go together (Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2)
Outcomes of fasting
¡ Fasting reveals the things that truly control us (Psalm 69:10)
¡ It helps us keep balance in life (1 Cor. 9:27; 6:12)
¡ Increased effectiveness in intercession (Esther 4:15-17)
¡ Guidance (Daniel 9:21-22; Luke 4:1-14)
¡ Deliverance (Spiritual Mark 9:29 and Physical Isaiah 58:6-8)
¡ Physical well-being (Luke 2:36-37; Isaiah 58:8)
¡ Revelations (Acts 13:2-3)
Preparing to Fast
¡ Let God lead you as to when to fast
¡ Make sure you know why you are fasting and that your primary reason is to meet the Lord.
- Am I confident my desire to fast is from God?
- Are my motives right?
- What are my spiritual objectives? (make a list)
- Are my objectives self-centred?
¡ Check with your doctor regarding medication
¡ Get off coffee and tea a day or two prior.
How do I Fast?
¡ Don’t tell anyone except your household.
¡ Start with a partial 24hr fast (Lunch to lunch or supper to supper)
¡ Pray, adore, worship God inwardly while you do the normal things.
¡ See every task of the day as a sacred ministry to the Lord.
¡ Be receptive to God’s whisperings.
¡ Next attempt a full 36hr fast
¡ Drink lots of water
¡ Devote the time you would normally eat to prayer and meditation.
¡ Do not call any attention to what you are doing.
¡ When you feel called, attempt a fast of a few days.
¡ Start with a “fruit day”
¡ Day 1-3 = most difficult because of detox
¡ Day 4-5 = hunger pains reduce; weakness
¡ Day 6-7 = feeling stronger and more alert
¡ Day 8-10 = almost no hunger
¡ Day 21-40 = hunger pains return = time to stop
Spiritual activities
¡ Worship – have set moments in the day
¡ Prayer – during meal times and whenever a hunger pang hits
¡ Journaling – at the end of each day record your insights
How to end the fast
¡ Before you break the fast go back over your journal and give thanks; and make commitments to God
¡ Always break a fast with a small meal of a fruit smoothie or bland vegetable soup.
¡ Day 2 = fruit and yoghurt
¡ Day 3 = salad and cooked vegetables
¡ During this time consider your future diet
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