1. Plan Your Fast - The
Bible has examples of one-day, three-day, seven-day and forty-day
fasts (Judges 20:26, Esther 4:16, 1 Samuel 31:13 and Matthew 4:1-11
respectively).[iii]
You should enter your fast with prayer and a specific plan for how long you will fast.
There
are various types of fasts as well. Some people fast with only water for short
periods, while others maintain multi-week fasts with juice and broth
maintaining a strict liquid diet. Both are valid. You simply need to decide
what is right for your body and your purposes.
Part
of planning your fast should be to educate yourself on different types of fasts
and reasons to fast. It is also important to know how to break your fast
properly. This becomes more critical the longer your fast lasts.
2. Consider Your Schedule - While a fast,
by nature, is inconvenient, it should be an inconvenience to you—not to those
around you. You should not obligate your family to skip Christmas dinner
because of your fast. This takes away the personal nature of fasting.
3. Tell Only the People You Must - Your
spouse will need to know you are fasting. Beyond that, you would be better off
not telling many people that you are fasting. Most won’t understand. Fasting
can also become a source of pride and boasting as you spread the news to more
and more people.
Telling
your pastor can be a help both to you and to him. It will be an encouragement
for him to pray more specifically for you during this time. And you will know
that someone is praying for your spiritual and physical well being.
4. Wean Yourself Off Caffeine- Several
days before your fast begins, you should start weaning yourself off caffeine.
Some people experience unbearable headaches 2 to 3 days after ceasing to drink
caffeinated products. During your fast you will already be acutely aware of
your stomach. There is no need to add a second discomfort if it can be avoided.
5. Avoid Media - Disconnecting
from TV, radio, newspapers and the Internet can help you stay focused on your
purpose for fasting. You will be less tempted by the constant bombardment of
advertising as you become physically and emotionally challenged. Avoiding media
will give you more time to focus on the Lord and His
Word.
6. Disconnect from people - Fasting is not
necessarily a vacation, though dedicating time off and away from people during
your fast can help you get the most benefit out of this precious time. Leave
your email and cell phone behind. If possible, find someone who can cover your
responsibilities at work and ministry. Many people fast and still carry on
their normal daily activities. But if you can get away, it will give you more
time in quietness and stillness with the Lord.
7. Beware of Your Emotions - Some
people experience vast mood swings during a fast. One moment they are totally
focused on God and the next they are wallowing in pity. Knowing that this is
likely to happen will help you react properly. Learning to refocus on God and
His goodness during this tough emotional time will help when your fast is over
and you experience similar emotions.
8. Rest - Laziness is a problem that the Bible
speaks against, but most of us today suffer from being too busy and not getting
the rest we need. If you disconnect from the media and other people you will
have extra time allowing you to get a full night’s sleep. During your fast you
will be forced to slow down since you won’t be needing long meal breaks. A fast
will reveal to you that you have too many activities and busyness in your
day-to-day routine.
9. Stay Physically Active - You should take
time to rest but this does not mean you should do nothing. Enjoy a walk in
God’s creation. Outside of His Word, His creation is one of the best ways that
God has revealed Himself to us.
10.
Be Still and
Focus on God - Fasting is a time to study God’s Word, meditate and pray. To
help with this, plan a specific Bible passage or topic you want to study during your fast. Look for verses you want to memorize and
meditate upon. Fasting by Jesus and the disciples was always accompanied by
prayer. Spend time talking to God and allowing Him to reveal Himself to you in
His Word.[iv]
[i] 16 “When you fast
don’t make yourselves look sad like the hypocrites, they put a look of
suffering on their faces so that people will see they are fasting. The truth
is, that’s all the reward they will get. 17 So
when you fast, wash your face and make yourself look nice. 18 Then no one will know you are fasting, except
your Father, who is with you even in private. He can see what is done in
private, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18
[ii] Food fasting
is not something I am good at. Instead of concentrating on God, all I can think
of is how hungry I am. If I were going to do this (as a diabetic), I would do a juice or
electronics s fasting that I believe I could be successful at.
[iii] 26 Then all the
Israelites went up to the city of Bethel. There they sat down and cried to the Lord. They did not eat anything all day, until evening. They also
offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. Judges 20:26
13 Later, they buried the bones of Saul and his three sons under the big tree in Jabesh. Then the people of Jabesh showed their sadness—they did not eat for seven days. 1 Samuel 31:13
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert. He was taken there to be tempted by the devil. 2 Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry. Matthew 4:1-2
All scripture is from the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) unless otherwise noted.
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