What Does Fasting Do?
- Thread starter VineyardsOfEngedi
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
I fast on Wednesdays and Fridays in the Orthodox tradition so kind of like this
http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html
http://ww1.antiochian.org/node/50791
Its also as a spiritual communal experience with fellow Christians
http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html
http://ww1.antiochian.org/node/50791
Its also as a spiritual communal experience with fellow Christians
-
1
- Show all
M
Fasting denies the flesh what it wants and therefore allows the spirit to be strengthened. The flesh and the spirit, for a believer, are at odds with one another.
It is good to practice it as a discipline as the Lord leads you. I tried to water fast in my own strength for 3 days and failed. I tried again 3 months later and succeeded because I relied on God’s Spirit to strengthen me.
Fasting can also break the chains of besetting sins. From my experience, it can unleash more of God’s power in your life. Be prepared to face greater spiritual opposition when fasting.
It is good to practice it as a discipline as the Lord leads you. I tried to water fast in my own strength for 3 days and failed. I tried again 3 months later and succeeded because I relied on God’s Spirit to strengthen me.
Fasting can also break the chains of besetting sins. From my experience, it can unleash more of God’s power in your life. Be prepared to face greater spiritual opposition when fasting.
-
3
-
1
-
1
-
1
- Show all
M
I also had to work up to a three day water fast. I had several one or two day fasts before it. Some people go on a juice fast, but I was convinced I should only drink water. I prayed ahead of time and planned the fasts according to God’s leading. I also had specific things or people I was fasting for.
-
1
- Show all
oh yeah and fasting doesn't just have to be relegated to not eating. Not smoking or drinking or lusting are all forms of fasting as well which is what you are getting at I think. when you fast from certain sins you do get more opposition but then it subsides because you aren't indulging the sin.
-
1
- Show all
I find food fasts the easiest because I have had to go without food by force (no money for food) and it really isn't that hard. I appreciated the test. It makes you realize how much we needlessly consume. I can easily go for a few days on just coffee and water. It truly builds both mental and spiritual strength. It certainly helps when you know you are doing it with and for God 😇
-
1
- Show all
M
Yes. For whatever reason, I have experienced the most spiritual strengthening from water fasts. This may not be true of everyone, which is why I would say commune with God about the fast ahead of time and of course all throughout the fast. I have a book that details all of the different OT and NT fasts in the Bible and the purposes of each. Really inspiring read.
-
1
- Show all
M
But do you all meet at the same time? I don't get it, do you let each other know you're fasting? Or because everyone is following this calendar you know that they are fasting? Sorry just trying to understand how the communal fellowship with others happens during fasting. Maybe I'm being over analytical.
-
1
- Show all
Thank you for the links, I will look into them I saw one was full of information 
and not sure what you mean by spiritual communal experience with fellow Christians, how?
and not sure what you mean by spiritual communal experience with fellow Christians, how?
Another instance I fasted for five days, no real experience in the spirit. I must not have been right, even though I had traveled to Israael and was working as a volunteer on a kibbutz. It is all in the truth of our fassting; we are not going God any favors...
I have never really fasted with a spiritual, religious motivation. And even though, I grew up in church and saw my mother doing it and knew that Jesus did it, or that there was some Biblical benefit, I can't recall that the times I've done it has been with that in mind. I fasted recently not with that in mind and I don't think it went great only because I knew that my motivation was not driven by The Bible.
I get what everyone has shared about self control and so on, I just don't get how it benefits the spirit? Maybe when I do it i'll understand. I appreciate all the responses though.
I get what everyone has shared about self control and so on, I just don't get how it benefits the spirit? Maybe when I do it i'll understand. I appreciate all the responses though.