Post by Pam on Sept 22, 2009 22:35:00 GMT -5
I am currently doing this study on another site; It's a very important topic that needs to be shared here as well...
SPIRITUAL FASTING (PART 1)
Reaching Higher Levels of Spirituality
September 22, 2009
>Christian Fasting - What is it?
What is Christian fasting? Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life. Fasting, however, if we conceive of it truly, must not... be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose (a priority to us over God).
> Fasting for the Soul
Fasting is one of the best ways of getting closer to God. Spiritual fasting is a great method of purifying the soul, and coming closer to God. Critiques of fasting argue why one needs to fast for God? Wouldn’t God love you or hear your prayers if you do not fast? However, one needs to understand that you not fast for God, but for yourself. When one fasts by starving the flesh, the spirit becomes stronger and purer. Fasting gives one both spiritual and emotional healing and is one of the best methods of coming nearer to God. It is also a sound way of exploring your own psyche and coming to know about your own strengths and weaknesses.
To get away from the rigors of modern life, a number of people are turning towards prayer and fasting in order to make their lives more meaningful. Fasting, combined with prayer is significant in your search for God. Fasting does not only refer to abstinence from food. The main aim of fasting is to control the pleasures of the flesh. Fasting refers to starving the flesh, so that the soul can be fed. So you can abstain from any of the various things that your flesh is dependent on.
You can give up food, drinking, alcohol, smoking, television, music—anything that you think is hard to live without. You will find that while you will crave what you give up for the first few days, the need will no longer be there after some days. Christian fasting does not only refer to giving up pleasures of the flesh, but when you are on a religious fast, you are also supposed to pray so that your spirit may come closer to that of God. The aim of religious fasting is not to deprive the body of food and drink, but to purify one’s soul and to find God.
While fasting is not something that is supposed to be obligatory in Christianity, it is more or less expected from the believers. The Bible has references to Jesus saying "when you fast', rather than if you fast in Matthew 6:17-18. So while it is not compulsory to fast, it is definitely expected.
>The Concept of Christian Fasting
Christian fasting or religious fasting is a concept that a lot of people are turning to in their search for peace of mind, spirituality and a certain closeness with God. While our busy modern lifestyle takes us away from all things spiritual and religious, we turn to God only when we find ourselves lost in this whole wide world, alone or in dire need of companionship and guidance. Fortunately for us, God does not desert us in bad times the way we desert him in our good times and it is always possible to take solace in the Higher Power. The power of prayer and fasting in bringing subjects closer to God has been proved time and again. It has been documented in all religious and sacred texts and the miracles of fasting and prayer are also evident time and again in our modern lives.
As far as fasting is concerned, it is not an obligation in the Christian religion. While the concept of Biblical fasting is quite clear, fasting is an act that is expected from believers, but it is not something that will incur the wrath of God if it is not carried out or performed. Biblical fasting is a concept where one abstains from food, drink or sex in order to focus on spiritual growth. It refers to the denial of the needs of the flesh in order to enhance our spirit and get closer to God. Fasting is also supposed to increase the power of prayer manifold.
It is mentioned the Book of Acts that believers fasted before they made any important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are generally mentioned together in the Bible and most holy men have been mentioned as fasting at one time or the other. It has been mentioned in the Bible that the only reason one should fast for is to come closer to God.
As far as the concept of religious fasting is concerned, it should be done only as means of coming closer to god , rather than serving a dual purpose as a diet or detoxification. It should also not be done to prove a point to other people or create an image. Fasting, like prayer is concerned only with the disciple or servant and the Master. It has been mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 6:16-18) that, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.
I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you". Another thing to keep in mind is that fasting is not just a means of starving the flesh, but of feeding the soul, and thus should be supplemented by prayer and deeds of goodwill and kindness.
>Types of Fasts
Fasting has a number of purposes. While the main aim of religious fasting or Christian fasting is to bring the subject closer to God through the power of prayer and fasting, even people who are not religious are taking up fasting for a variety of reasons. A number of people have taken up spiritual fasting in order to find emotional and spiritual strength. They have turned to fasting for both spiritual and emotional healing and renewal. Then there are large majorities who have taken to fasting for weight loss. Detoxification fasting is also in vogue amongst the health conscious. Everybody is trying to avail the benefits of fasting either one way or the other.
Different people with different needs undertake different types of fasts. You also can choose one based on your requirement
Some of the most common fasts are described briefly as follows:
The Absolute Fast: An absolute fast is when one abstains from both eating and drinking. Even water is not allowed on absolute fasts. This fast is not advised for more than three days. This is more on the sides of Christian fasting or religious fasting and not for people fasting for health reasons.
The Normal Fast: In a normal fast, you abstain from both eating and drinking, but drinking water is allowed. This is also a kind of religious fasting mostly, but is favored by health fasters also in some cases.
The *Daniel Fast: The Daniel fast, as the name suggests, is a religious fast, where the person who is fasting can eat fruits, vegetables and water. Choice foods like meat and wine are not allowed.
The Partial Fast: The partial fast is a kind of fast where you abstain from eating or drinking certain food items. You can chose to skip a meal, or you may chose to eat just certain foods throughout your fast.
The Juice Fast: The juice fast, as the name suggests is a fast where you only exist on fruit and vegetable juices. Juice fasting has gained immense popularity, especially with people who are trying to lose weight. It is a great method of detoxification fasting also and is advised by many dietitians for various reasons.
Water, Honey and Lemon Fast: The water, honey and lemon fast is again a popular weight loss and detoxification fast. One is supposed to survive on a diet of warm water with some lemon juice and honey mixed in it. It is a great method of cleansing the body.
(The last two fasts are probably more for dietary reasons, but nevertheless, important)
-------------------------------------------
* Daniel Fast- The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Fasting simply is a rest from food. Spiritual fasting re-births and regenerates our spiritual willpower by filling our inner knowing with the direct experience of new physical, emotional and spiritual strength. Fasting indeed, is one of the best ways of getting closer to God.
Spiritual Fasting (Part 2) Will be continued next week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
www.spiritualfasting.net/Types_of_Fasts.html
SPIRITUAL FASTING (PART 1)
Reaching Higher Levels of Spirituality
September 22, 2009
>Christian Fasting - What is it?
What is Christian fasting? Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life. Fasting, however, if we conceive of it truly, must not... be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose (a priority to us over God).
> Fasting for the Soul
Fasting is one of the best ways of getting closer to God. Spiritual fasting is a great method of purifying the soul, and coming closer to God. Critiques of fasting argue why one needs to fast for God? Wouldn’t God love you or hear your prayers if you do not fast? However, one needs to understand that you not fast for God, but for yourself. When one fasts by starving the flesh, the spirit becomes stronger and purer. Fasting gives one both spiritual and emotional healing and is one of the best methods of coming nearer to God. It is also a sound way of exploring your own psyche and coming to know about your own strengths and weaknesses.
To get away from the rigors of modern life, a number of people are turning towards prayer and fasting in order to make their lives more meaningful. Fasting, combined with prayer is significant in your search for God. Fasting does not only refer to abstinence from food. The main aim of fasting is to control the pleasures of the flesh. Fasting refers to starving the flesh, so that the soul can be fed. So you can abstain from any of the various things that your flesh is dependent on.
You can give up food, drinking, alcohol, smoking, television, music—anything that you think is hard to live without. You will find that while you will crave what you give up for the first few days, the need will no longer be there after some days. Christian fasting does not only refer to giving up pleasures of the flesh, but when you are on a religious fast, you are also supposed to pray so that your spirit may come closer to that of God. The aim of religious fasting is not to deprive the body of food and drink, but to purify one’s soul and to find God.
While fasting is not something that is supposed to be obligatory in Christianity, it is more or less expected from the believers. The Bible has references to Jesus saying "when you fast', rather than if you fast in Matthew 6:17-18. So while it is not compulsory to fast, it is definitely expected.
>The Concept of Christian Fasting
Christian fasting or religious fasting is a concept that a lot of people are turning to in their search for peace of mind, spirituality and a certain closeness with God. While our busy modern lifestyle takes us away from all things spiritual and religious, we turn to God only when we find ourselves lost in this whole wide world, alone or in dire need of companionship and guidance. Fortunately for us, God does not desert us in bad times the way we desert him in our good times and it is always possible to take solace in the Higher Power. The power of prayer and fasting in bringing subjects closer to God has been proved time and again. It has been documented in all religious and sacred texts and the miracles of fasting and prayer are also evident time and again in our modern lives.
As far as fasting is concerned, it is not an obligation in the Christian religion. While the concept of Biblical fasting is quite clear, fasting is an act that is expected from believers, but it is not something that will incur the wrath of God if it is not carried out or performed. Biblical fasting is a concept where one abstains from food, drink or sex in order to focus on spiritual growth. It refers to the denial of the needs of the flesh in order to enhance our spirit and get closer to God. Fasting is also supposed to increase the power of prayer manifold.
It is mentioned the Book of Acts that believers fasted before they made any important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are generally mentioned together in the Bible and most holy men have been mentioned as fasting at one time or the other. It has been mentioned in the Bible that the only reason one should fast for is to come closer to God.
As far as the concept of religious fasting is concerned, it should be done only as means of coming closer to god , rather than serving a dual purpose as a diet or detoxification. It should also not be done to prove a point to other people or create an image. Fasting, like prayer is concerned only with the disciple or servant and the Master. It has been mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 6:16-18) that, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.
I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you". Another thing to keep in mind is that fasting is not just a means of starving the flesh, but of feeding the soul, and thus should be supplemented by prayer and deeds of goodwill and kindness.
>Types of Fasts
Fasting has a number of purposes. While the main aim of religious fasting or Christian fasting is to bring the subject closer to God through the power of prayer and fasting, even people who are not religious are taking up fasting for a variety of reasons. A number of people have taken up spiritual fasting in order to find emotional and spiritual strength. They have turned to fasting for both spiritual and emotional healing and renewal. Then there are large majorities who have taken to fasting for weight loss. Detoxification fasting is also in vogue amongst the health conscious. Everybody is trying to avail the benefits of fasting either one way or the other.
Different people with different needs undertake different types of fasts. You also can choose one based on your requirement
Some of the most common fasts are described briefly as follows:
The Absolute Fast: An absolute fast is when one abstains from both eating and drinking. Even water is not allowed on absolute fasts. This fast is not advised for more than three days. This is more on the sides of Christian fasting or religious fasting and not for people fasting for health reasons.
The Normal Fast: In a normal fast, you abstain from both eating and drinking, but drinking water is allowed. This is also a kind of religious fasting mostly, but is favored by health fasters also in some cases.
The *Daniel Fast: The Daniel fast, as the name suggests, is a religious fast, where the person who is fasting can eat fruits, vegetables and water. Choice foods like meat and wine are not allowed.
The Partial Fast: The partial fast is a kind of fast where you abstain from eating or drinking certain food items. You can chose to skip a meal, or you may chose to eat just certain foods throughout your fast.
The Juice Fast: The juice fast, as the name suggests is a fast where you only exist on fruit and vegetable juices. Juice fasting has gained immense popularity, especially with people who are trying to lose weight. It is a great method of detoxification fasting also and is advised by many dietitians for various reasons.
Water, Honey and Lemon Fast: The water, honey and lemon fast is again a popular weight loss and detoxification fast. One is supposed to survive on a diet of warm water with some lemon juice and honey mixed in it. It is a great method of cleansing the body.
(The last two fasts are probably more for dietary reasons, but nevertheless, important)
-------------------------------------------
* Daniel Fast- The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Fasting simply is a rest from food. Spiritual fasting re-births and regenerates our spiritual willpower by filling our inner knowing with the direct experience of new physical, emotional and spiritual strength. Fasting indeed, is one of the best ways of getting closer to God.
Spiritual Fasting (Part 2) Will be continued next week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
www.spiritualfasting.net/Types_of_Fasts.html