FASTING what is it ,why do it

[Alithis]

FASTING what is it ,why do it .. what is the reasoning behind it what is its effectuality in christian life..

i don't ask to know but to add to what the lord has shown me

i hope to share, as best i can, what the lord has shown me in this regard ..that it be challenged by all and any .
honestly ,i hope soon to share about it in church and desire that what im going to share be challenged well in every way possible to test that it is sound theology .

in the mean time ..

what think you ?

 

[psalms 91]

I fast but not often, tonight sundown to sundown I will fast, it is a way to focus solely on the Lord and teach obedience by denying self. It is also a way to focus in and look to recieve from the Lord for strength, holiness, answers to prayer,etc. I find that fasting can also increase spiritual power as well.

 

[MoreCoffee]

FASTING is refraining from food and drink as an expression of interior penance, in imitation of the fast of Jesus for forty days in the desert. Fasting is an ascetical practice recommended in Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers; it is sometimes prescribed by a precept of the Church, especially during the liturgical season of Lent.

 

[Alithis]

A couple of interesting replies.
As always - could you define the action from scripture ?
And do you feel that these reasons are fully biblical in the spirit of the matter .or just partially biblical?

 

[MoreCoffee]

A couple of interesting replies.
As always - could you define the action from scripture ?
And do you feel that these reasons are fully biblical in the spirit of the matter .or just partially biblical?

Holy scripture gives examples of people fasting from food by total abstinence and also by abstinence for specific foods but I am not aware of a definition in the bible of the word "fasting".

 

[Brighten04]

Fasting is a form of denying yourself.I fast like Daniel at the beginning of the year for 21 days. No meat or sweets , or coffee. Pray and help someone less fortunate. God's chosen fast is in Isaiah.
Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

 

[Alithis]

Fasting is a form of denying yourself.I fast like Daniel at the beginning of the year for 21 days. No meat or sweets , or coffee. Pray and help someone less fortunate. God's chosen fast is in Isaiah.
Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

good scripture- i see hidden in vs 10 a secret of jewel of intercession iv not picked up on before -And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul;-that is verrry interesting ..

 

[Alithis]

a word that already is being repeated is .. "self" .. hopefuly i can explain late ,but as long as this is central ,then "i believe" the impacting reason purpose and spiritual power of fasting in prayer is being missed ..

 

[psalms 91]

Today is day of Atonement or Yom Kippur and I am fasting for it for it is a day of fasting and afflicting your soul, will fast till sundown

 

[MoreCoffee]

Today is day of Atonement or Yom Kippur and I am fasting for it for it is a day of fasting and afflicting your soul, will fast till sundown

Wasn't that day set aside because we are under the new covenant in Christ and he is the one who atones for our sins?

 

[psalms 91]

I am talking fasting and Paul said t best when he said that you may or may not observe these feasts and days and noone should judge because of it. Keeping Gods feasts is a good thing to do as I see it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I am talking fasting and Paul said t best when he said that you may or may not observe these feasts and days and noone should judge because of it. Keeping Gods feasts is a good thing to do as I see it.

What does it mean when you keep it?

 

[psalms 91]

What does it mean when you keep it?

For this one it means making sure I am free of sin and searching deep within, a time of reflection and prayer, fasting till sundown, denyiing the flesh.

 

[MoreCoffee]

For this one it means making sure I am free of sin and searching deep within, a time of reflection and prayer, fasting till sundown, denyiing the flesh.

Some say that Christ alone is sinless.

 

[psalms 91]

Some say that Christ alone is sinless.

As He is but to search and ask forgiveness is especially important on this day. The Jews believe that the ten days leading up to this day the windows of heaven are open to hear their prayers of repentance and asking forgiveness so that they may be written in the book of life for this year. What I olove about all this is that while keeping a solomen day that is Gods I can see the atonement that Christ made for us once and for all rather than the high priest going in once a year to ask atonemnet for the sins of the nation. It is an interesting study if you would be interested.

 

[Alithis]

For this one it means making sure I am free of sin and searching deep within, a time of reflection and prayer, fasting till sundown, denyiing the flesh.

Some say that Christ alone is sinless.

He did not say he himself was sinless of himself nor by fasting ,but that bill saught to keep from sinning by denying the flesh..if im understanding you right bill?

Though this is but a very singular aspect of fasting .
One thing about fasting is that it is purposed to seeking Gods presence ..not for the fulfilling of self .
..more to come.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Fasting might be done as a health measure; many people fast periodically for perceived health benefits.

Fasting might be done to discipline one's body and especially one's hunger; scripture warns not to make a god out of one's belly.

Fasting might be done in thanks to God for blessings received.

But in holy scripture fasts are most often associated with repentance for sins and/or purification prior to embarking on a mission or calling from God.

 

[Alithis]

..again .. where the motive is "self" oriented is where the full measure of the reason and power in fasting with prayer is missed the most

 

[Alithis]

to save myself a whole lot of typing (something im rather slow at to say the least )im searching for peices i have already typed .. and when i find the file i will share it here .

 

[Brighten04]

This is the way I understand it, according to the scripture I posted. Fasting should be centered on our Father and focused on helping our fellow man. Jesus taught...
Matt.6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

There is great reward promised from our Father in Heaven for those who do His chosen fast.