Prayer: The Gate

Fasting has not been a widely practiced discipline in main stream protestant religion in America.  I don’t know why.  I personally believe fasting is healthy and most importantly, is a powerful tool in prayer.

Something remarkable has always happens during and after a fast.  I feel close to God.  Ideas, problem solving, inspiration, creativity, and a peace that surpasses all understanding comes to me during this time.

I believe it is healthy.  As multi-cell organisms, our cells divide in an attempt to repair themselves.  After they divide 54 times, we die.  When we fast, our cells take a break from dividing.  Giving our bodies a rest from continually digesting food is good.

Fasting is a spiritual tool, it is not just going without eating.  It is important to connect with the spiritual part.

People of many religions in the world fast during the year.  It is considered an essential part of their lives.

2 Corinthians 10:4  ”For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

If you have thought about fasting, I hope you will do it.  I have a few suggestions for first time fasters.

How to succeed at a fast:

• -Consider a short fast to begin, perhaps 10:00 in the morning until the evening meal around 6:00.  You can work up to longer fasts.
• -Be quiet about fasting to other people.  This is between you and God.
• -Start by praying.  Tell God you want to draw close to Him, tell Him the time you would set aside to fast.  Ask for strength and for Him to protect you and be with you.
• -Hunger pains only last 5 to 7 minutes.  This is a sacrafice you are making, so decide you can make it through huner signals when they come. You can do this.
• -Lead me not into temptation.  Don’t sit and watch other people eat.  Don’t read cookbooks or watch food shows. Take a walk, read your bible, pray.  You have made a vow, it is important to keep it.
• -Think about what you want to do, not what you want to eat.
• -Pray before you break your fast.  This is really important!  Listen for God’s voice.  Thank Him for being with you, for helping you through this.  Be grateful for the food, don’t just dive in.
• -Eat light after a fast.  You may think you need a super sized something, but you aren’t making up for lost food.  After a longer fast, you need to eat especially light. Consider mild food, and be gentle with your system.  I usually have something like a plain scrambled egg and piece of toast, or maybe a banana to break a fast.  Then wait a while, say an hour or so before you eat anything else.
• -Reflect on the experience.  Take your time in praying before the end.

I encourage you to look up references to fasting in the Bible.  There are quite a number.  If you will study fasting and practice fasting, you will unlock the secrets to it’s mystery and power.

Note: I drink water during my fast.  Some people go without water.  It is simply my preference to have water.  Also I will have herbal tea  that I can see through in the mornings.

Do what you can.  God will meet you where you are.  Jesus fasted 40 days and walked in the desert.  He used the words, “When you fast…” Not “if”. You can do this.  It is good.  It will transform you on your spiritual journey.

I have begun a fasting and healing project for 2010.  It is Fast300Meals.  I will fast 300 meals in 365 days.  This sister website is a daily journal of the journey to healing.

The book “Prayer: The Gate” has a chapter devoted to fasting.  See the link at the right of the page.

Be blessed.