Fasting and Prayer

[Hephzibah]

Hello all! I'm one of the leaders of Prayer Guardians, a group dedicated to praying for the requests put up here as well as the leaders of CAA. An idea that has been mentioned quite alot in the PG thread is starting up an info thread about prayer and fasting. It seems not many people know exactly what both are, or how to go about them.

This thread shall become a place where we put up Bible verses regarding these two important spiritual tools, as well as other stuff from pastors, books, etc. Watch this space, it will be UPDATED SOON
O, btw, PG is going to be having a fast day on the 1st of February. This is for numerous reasons, but the main one is to dedicate our 'first fruits' to the Lord.

If you would like to share experiences about your own prayer/fasting efforts, feel free to talk about them.

[Hephzibah]

Ok people! Finally, here is some info on fasting. Sorry it took me awhile, but I had forgotten the site where I got my info from
Here is the PPN site (Parliamentary Prayer Network), and it has some really good info on both fasting and prayer.

Here are some good points from the 'Fasting, what is it?" document:

Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.

• Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."

• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.

• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!

• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.

• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.

Types of Fasts
The Normal Fast: Drinking only water and juice (Luke 4:1,2)
The Partial Fast: The restriction of diet, such as Daniel eating only grains, fruits and vegetables and drinking only water (Daniel 1:15)
The Absolute Fast: Refraining from both food and water. This type of fast is not to exceed three days.
Specific Fast: The abstinence from something that brings pleasure such as media, a favorite food, beverage or recreation.
Congregational Fast: Joining together with your local body and/or small group to "tag team" on an extended fast (ie. one person fasts one day, the next the next day, etc...)

I myself did the Specific fast, i.e. fasted from the computer. It was a very liberating experience, and it made me spend alot more time with God, my family and my sketchbook

I'm not the best of pray-ers, and I confess that I did have trouble remembering to pray yesterday, however last night I had the best prayer time that I have had in a long time. Fasting, I think, helps to clear away typical 'routine prayers' and get you back on track so to speak.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings... here are some more points from the "Fasting" document as to how to go about your fast:

Practical Steps to Fasting
1. Set Your Objective
Ask God for a specific focus for your fast, to help you pray more purposefully

2. Make Your Commitment
Commit to which type and length of fast you will do.
Decide what physical or social activities you may restrict.
Set a daily amount of time you will devote to prayer

3. Prepare Yourself Spiritually
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind and resolve any disputes/ sin with others
Do not underestimate spiritual opposition ~ we are dangerous to Satan!

4. Prepare Yourself Physically
Start eating less before your fast, avoiding high fat and sugar foods. Eat raw fruits and vegetables two days prior to fasting. It is not unusual for there to be some symptoms of crankiness, dizziness and tiredness during the fast.

5. Exercise moderately
Avoid high aerobic activities.

6. End Your Fast Gradually
Break your fast with fruit such as watermelon. While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, slowly reintroduce fresh foods with several small snacks over the first several days, avoiding anything processed.

7. Expect Results
God has promised to move when his children humble themselves and wholeheartedly seek His face.

[CreatureArt]

Thanks for the good fasting tips, Talame!

My fast on the South Pacific's February the 1st went very, very well. I had my prayer time in the morning - and it went very easy and well (awesome since it's been a bit of a battle going into my morning prayer times lately). I was so peaceful and 'in tune' all day - just very joyful. The whole day went very well, and the fast was extremely effective. I'm very, very glad that PG is organising fasts - it definitely brought me closer to God.

I hope your fasts all went well, too. Thanks for the link to that prayer site, too, Talame - I'll check it out.

God bless,


-CA

[Zane]

Cheers for the info Talame! It was very practical and helpful.

[wiggins]

My fast had it's up and downs. It was hard, but I still think the Holy Spirit managed to talk to me even though I messed up several times.

[jazz]

yesterday i fasted from a number of the electronic things in my life... ie: internet, movies, video games...

as the day went on, it got harder to stay away from the computer. in spite of that, it was fruitful...if that's the word to use. i am begining to see how i have been treating God lately, and the attitude of complacency i've had about living for christ... it's so easy to just... be stale. i hope and pray that God will continue to change my heart, that i will remain willing for the change to come about, and also that i will be willing to do my part in it.

that was kinda off topic, but i just wanted you to all know that... God is so faithful.

[Hephzibah]

Amen to that Jazz. I also know what you mean about finding out how you are treating God. By fasting from the comp, I got to spend alot more time (I mean ALOT more) with God, which is the way it should be. As a result, I have set myself limits on the computer now

[Rogie]

Unfortunately, I didn't get to really spend my day fasting. Sure, I didn't have sodas (at least ones that I liked, since I hate Sprite) or sweet foods, but all I could eat was chicken noodle soup and Jello with this stomach virus that I got on Monday.

However, I did pray for relief from all the pain, and last night and this morning I did get to pray more earnestly and devotedly, praising God for not only healing me physically but spiritually. So, although my first fast wasn't all that intentional, since my stomach made me stay away from stuff, God still blessed me and taught me. I also learned a little lesson about complaining: that is, I need to quit doing it!

Glad to hear others had good experiences, too!

[Saint Kevin]

Amen rogie, I've been reminded of that lesson quite a bit recently. God's grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is made perfect through our weakness.

I'm generally all for praying and fasting in secret, but I may have to get my family on board with the next one. My dad started cooking Taquitos/Mini Quesadillas/etc. at about 8:30, so I didn't quite go all day, but it was definitely helpful.

One thing I wanted to share: to me this day was about prayer and fasting, and I made a prayer list on a 3x5 card type thing the other day, and carried it around all day. I think I'm going to make this a habit, as it is amazing how much time you can be praying will you are walking here or there, or killing time between classes and such. I think that may be a worthwhile thing for some of you to try. Also, putting scripture or words in a foreign language that you want to learn on the same index cards (the night before if possible) is a great way to make good use of the little chunks of extra time you get in a day. Try it!

I can't say that I was too hungry through most of the day, but I sure noticed a lot of people eating that I can't say I notice on a normal day. Candy bars, chips, soda, pizza, you name it, I saw someone eating it. Or so it seemed.

Anyway, I'm gonna definitely have to do that again. It focused me more on the things that are really important, and I spent a lot more time praying than usual.

Same time next month?

[CreatureArt]

Yep, I'm pretty sure the fast is a regular thing.

-That's a good idea, making little prayer note-cards. I catch a 30min bus to school and back so it's a good time to pray for people. Thanks for the idea, SK.

I'm glad people's fasts had some good results. I think even if we don't go for as long as we might like, I believe God knows what we go through - and he rewards our efforts. Also, perhaps like many things it becomes easier over time.

Take care, God bless and congratulations, all.

[Hephzibah]

That prayer card idea is great! In fact, ideal esp if you have a busy day with school, uni or work.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to really spend my day fasting.

Don't feel bad about that Rogie_san. God looks at the heart, and knew that you were willing and wanted to fast. Who knows, maybe by you being sick it will make you even more anxious to fast next month

[Rogie]

[quote="Talame"]Don't feel bad about that Rogie_san. God looks at the heart, and knew that you were willing and wanted to fast. Who knows, maybe by you being sick it will make you even more anxious to fast next month ]

Oh, believe me, it does make me more anxious!

And yeah, the prayer card idea is pretty good!

[Mave]

Hello all!

I’ve been busy but thanks to rogie-san, listing down the prayers has greatly helped me to keep track of prayer needs, especially since I haven't had the time to look through the threads lately. ^_^;;

Similar to what Saint Kevin shared, I’ve been writing down the list onto small pieces of paper and saying prayers as I walk to work (~20 mins). Very helpful ^_^

Fasting from food on the first day on February was surprisingly trouble-free. I usually get gastric problems whenever I skip a meal but somehow it didn’t happen that day. <.< >.> While I’m grateful to God for gracing me from stomach issues, I do feel a bit bad since fasting should require some form of sacrifice. Somehow I didn’t feel like I sacrificed much since there wasn’t any pain. Do you guys get what I mean?

But do allow me to share one of my most significant fasts. It was about 2 years ago and I decided to fast from drawing. That was quite challenging since that’s what I usually do during boring lectures. It gets pretty tempting when there’s a sketchpad and pen in my hand. (-__-);; One of my classmates found this all amusing since she knew 1) how much I loved drawing during class 2) how boring Microbiology was. But by God’s grace, I managed to keep my promise.

If I recall properly, that was also when I made the decision to quit drawing less-than-decent artworks. “God, I will not draw anymore unless it’s for you.â€

[Hephzibah]

That's awesome Mave! Thanks for sharing your previous fast experiences.

Somehow I didn’t feel like I sacrificed much since there wasn’t any pain. Do you guys get what I mean

Yes, but don't feel bad. The point is you gave up something to spend time with God.

O, apparently Lent is starting up soon. I was wondering if any of you guys are going to be observing this thingy

[Rogie]

I think Lent is a Catholic tradition, so I haven't observed it. To my knowledge, it's like a 40-day fast from something, right?

[Hephzibah]

Yes, I think that's right. the 40 days before Easter or something... I don't observe it either, but a friend of mine does

[Mave]

I observe it even if I'm not really Catholic. But since my church is running the 40 Days of Community program and I need to do some modifications to my spiritual life, I'd say it's all good timing. ^_^