How To Fast

[smileypoo]

Fasting can be a spiritual practice that varies in form and intensity. Here are some general guidelines to help you understand how to fast, especially if you have health concerns:

1. **Consult Your Doctor**: Since you take a lot of medicine and need to eat, it's crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any fast. They can provide guidance on how to safely fast given your medical needs.

2. **Types of Fasts**:
- **Partial Fast**: You might consider a partial fast, where you reduce the amount of food you eat rather than abstaining completely. This could mean eating smaller portions or skipping certain meals.
- **Liquid Fast**: Another option is a liquid fast, where you consume only liquids like water, herbal teas, or broths. This can be easier on your body while still allowing you to experience fasting.
- **Intermittent Fasting**: This involves fasting for a set number of hours each day. For example, you might eat only during an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours.

3. **Spiritual Intentions**: Fasting is often done for spiritual reasons, such as seeking closeness to God, self-discipline, or prayer. Reflect on your intentions and how you want to incorporate prayer or meditation into your fasting practice.

4. **Listen to Your Body**: Pay attention to how your body responds during the fast. If you feel weak or unwell, it's important to break the fast and eat something.

5. **Gradual Approach**: If you're new to fasting, start with a shorter duration and gradually increase as you become more comfortable.

Remember, the most important aspect of fasting is your spiritual journey and well-being. Always prioritize your health and consult with professionals when necessary.

 

[The Encourager]

There are several different ways to fast....The Daniel Fast would be good for you...

The Daniel Fast

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The purpose of the spiritual fasting is to consecrate (set aside) a specific period of time to draw closer to God to hear from Him.





The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. The Daniel Fast is a plant-based eating plan with the only beverage being water.





There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. Then in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days.

1. Only fruits and vegetables 2. Only water for a beverage

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3. No sweeteners and no breads

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Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast....

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon

All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Remember, READ THE LABELS!

 

[Action238]

fasting doesn't have to be with no food if you are ill..if you like bread for example fast that...if you smoke fast that, desserts, anything that means anything to you..to discipline your body...fast desserts for a week or a month...it truly is hard..fasting disciplines your body to hear what the spirit is saying..in other words getting you out of the way and knowing you can control your thoughts...it doesn't really do anything for God but it does get His attention that you are serious and that makes it all different in your walk...you are showing Him you are making an effort to get "YOU" out of the way of His plan and purpose...it scares the demonic world and angels rejoice at your effort and can move to do what needs to be done in the spiritual world....we all have an army of angels that are at our command to work in the spirit world IF you are living a righteous and obedient life according to the word of God...our obedience and prayers along with fasting to prove we are serious..allows power to the angels so they can do their job and bring glory to God. hope that helped God bless and be all you can be for HIM..in Jesus name.

 

[Grace1]

Amen

 

[asksev]

Smileypoo, in your spare time, you might want to read Isaiah 58: 1-12. Please focus on verses 5,6,7.

Since you are on medication, fasting in this case could be that you reduce the quantity of food that you eat, but before you do so, You must, I repeat you must consult your doctor and check with him or her to seek expert opinion and advice.

Fasting could be from entertainment and amusement, such as watching TV. This could be an option that you might want to consider.

In any case, the best thing to do is to pray and ask the Lord to direct you.

I hope that this may give some ideas to ponder upon. May the Lord bless you and lead you as you seek to serve him with all your heart.