What is the longest fast you have done?

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jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
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409
63
#1
How did you get through it? Any tips? Food fast.. not water fast...
 

Tall_Timbers

Well-known member
Mar 31, 2023
1,113
1,202
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Cheyenne WY
christiancommunityforum.com
#2
Whether or not a person has fasted and for how long I think is between them and God. If you're doing a food fast, my tip is to not eat food for the amount of time/days decided upon, nor any drinks that have calories... More importantly, spend that time in prayer.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
723
409
63
#3
Is not appropriate to talk about? Why is that… I mean like exercising, I want to see what is doable.

Like if training at the gym. Not to boast to bragg but to encourage and uplift. Like. A spotter at the bench press.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,133
9,227
113
#4
Is not appropriate to talk about? Why is that… I mean like exercising, I want to see what is doable.

Like if training at the gym. Not to boast to bragg but to encourage and uplift. Like. A spotter at the bench press.
What do you do and whether you can do it depends on why you're doing it.

If you are fasting just to see how long you can, it won't be very long.

If you are fasting because your baby is dying and you are looking really hard for the answer you want from God, that's an entirely different matter.

If you are fasting because You have a mission from God and you feel like your flesh is getting in the way of hearing from God, that is also an entirely different matter.

All I know is, there sure are a lot of overweight Christians. And that's not a snide comment, because I'm one of them.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,539
17,015
113
69
Tennessee
#5
All I know is, there sure are a lot of overweight Christians. And that's not a snide comment, because I'm one of them.
There are some underweight Christians too and I'm one of them.
 
Oct 16, 2024
21
17
3
#7
I have fasted on many occasions throughout the years; however, the length of time I fasted was generally the same: three days. I did so to get alone with God and to spend some seriously devoted time through prayer and the Word with the Lord.
If you are planning to pray at any time, you should always do so playfully. No jokes on this point. The enemy is watching.

I recall being on a fast once and having just started reading my Bible after spending time with God through prayer when close to five or six noisy and unavoidable distractions took place. I dealt with them with grace and patience, as I was aware that the enemy was at work to attempt to cause me to say or respond in a fashion that was not Christlike in any way. I dealt with them and continued spending time with God. The next day my neighbor came to me and began chatting with me and before they left, they offered me a big bowl of food that they had made and was leftovers from a family celebration that he had attended. I not wanting to offend him, took the bowl and placed the food in my fridge. I went to the Lord in prayer and began thanking the Lord out loud that while I was fasting the enemy was trying to offer me food to cause me to break my fast. I praised God for giving me insight as to what was going on and thanked Him for the strength to NOT eat the food until I had finished my fast.

Be mindful that the enemy will do ANYTHING to knock you off your path at any time. Specifically, even if it is one degree. Then accuse you and deride you for not having the strength and fortitude to follow through with the fast. I tell you, stay the course. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!! Make a clear plan yet all the while being open to being guided by the Holy Spirit if God guides you in a specific direction both in prayer and in reading the Word.
During a fast, tell no one. I mean NO ONE!!! Why? First, in the Bible it tells you to not reveal this to anyone, and to speak with the Lord about it and not to man. Also, because it is not their business. You can ask for individuals or a group of Christian brothers and sisters to keep you in prayer and simply ask them to pray that God gives you focus and strength in the coming days and weeks. Keeping it in a general request also keeps prying minds away from asking for specifics. If they ask for specifics, tell them to just pray for you and that God is aware of what you need. Never tell others you are fasting. There are some brothers and sisters who are not at a mature level to keep what you tell them to themselves.

When you begin your fast, stay the course, the enemy will try you and attempt to keep you from following through on your fast. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!

During a fast never reveal you are fasting, after you have fasted, discussing it here for the purposes of growth among the body of Christ is okay.
 

DRobinson

Active member
Aug 23, 2023
481
244
43
#8
Back in June I spent three days in the hospital.
Did not eat those three days.
The food they brought me was that bad.
Lost ten pounds.
 
Oct 16, 2024
21
17
3
#9
Back in June I spent three days in the hospital.
Did not eat those three days.
The food they brought me was that bad.
Lost ten pounds.

While that perhaps can be considered a "fast", what is being referenced here and what you are speaking on are two separate things. But I do understand your point.
 

Publican

Active member
Oct 1, 2024
290
151
43
#11
Whether or not a person has fasted and for how long I think is between them and God. If you're doing a food fast, my tip is to not eat food for the amount of time/days decided upon, nor any drinks that have calories... More importantly, spend that time in prayer.
I think the poster was asking for advice.
 

Publican

Active member
Oct 1, 2024
290
151
43
#12
Is not appropriate to talk about? Why is that… I mean like exercising, I want to see what is doable.

Like if training at the gym. Not to boast to bragg but to encourage and uplift. Like. A spotter at the bench press.
Yes. Its perfectly appropriate. There's even been some great books on the subject. Gods Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis is a good one, he even keeps a diary. I think it was for 21 days.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
723
409
63
#13
So here are my real life challenges while I’m fasting..

You get physically weak, lack of calories in means your body is like running on fumes. This makes sense because when you fast you starve the flesh and the spirit grows..

Practically speaking, I need to get things done, I can’t be moping around the house have chores to do take care of my kids, etc. etc..
I’m just not as productive when I’m fasting for longer than 1/2 day.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
723
409
63
#14
Yes. Its perfectly appropriate. There's even been some great books on the subject. Gods Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis is a good one, he even keeps a diary. I think it was for 21 days.
I fasted for one whole day and a half and honestly I felt so weak. I could barely move, 21 days is crazy. I heard after the third or fourth day you go into ketosis and you’re feeling better.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
723
409
63
#15
I have fasted on many occasions throughout the years; however, the length of time I fasted was generally the same: three days. I did so to get alone with God and to spend some seriously devoted time through prayer and the Word with the Lord.
If you are planning to pray at any time, you should always do so playfully. No jokes on this point. The enemy is watching.

I recall being on a fast once and having just started reading my Bible after spending time with God through prayer when close to five or six noisy and unavoidable distractions took place. I dealt with them with grace and patience, as I was aware that the enemy was at work to attempt to cause me to say or respond in a fashion that was not Christlike in any way. I dealt with them and continued spending time with God. The next day my neighbor came to me and began chatting with me and before they left, they offered me a big bowl of food that they had made and was leftovers from a family celebration that he had attended. I not wanting to offend him, took the bowl and placed the food in my fridge. I went to the Lord in prayer and began thanking the Lord out loud that while I was fasting the enemy was trying to offer me food to cause me to break my fast. I praised God for giving me insight as to what was going on and thanked Him for the strength to NOT eat the food until I had finished my fast.

Be mindful that the enemy will do ANYTHING to knock you off your path at any time. Specifically, even if it is one degree. Then accuse you and deride you for not having the strength and fortitude to follow through with the fast. I tell you, stay the course. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!! Make a clear plan yet all the while being open to being guided by the Holy Spirit if God guides you in a specific direction both in prayer and in reading the Word.
During a fast, tell no one. I mean NO ONE!!! Why? First, in the Bible it tells you to not reveal this to anyone, and to speak with the Lord about it and not to man. Also, because it is not their business. You can ask for individuals or a group of Christian brothers and sisters to keep you in prayer and simply ask them to pray that God gives you focus and strength in the coming days and weeks. Keeping it in a general request also keeps prying minds away from asking for specifics. If they ask for specifics, tell them to just pray for you and that God is aware of what you need. Never tell others you are fasting. There are some brothers and sisters who are not at a mature level to keep what you tell them to themselves.

When you begin your fast, stay the course, the enemy will try you and attempt to keep you from following through on your fast. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!

During a fast never reveal you are fasting, after you have fasted, discussing it here for the purposes of growth among the body of Christ is okay.

So if my kids ask me why I’m not eating dinner, what do I say? Lie? No..,

Similarly, I was fasting and. A friend called me for lunch.. I said I couldn’t Because I was fasting.. I didn’t want to lie.. he’s not even a. Christian so it’s not about boasting at all… he jsut wanted to hang out.
 
Oct 1, 2024
290
151
43
#16
So if my kids ask me why I’m not eating dinner, what do I say? Lie? No..,

Similarly, I was fasting and. A friend called me for lunch.. I said I couldn’t Because I was fasting.. I didn’t want to lie.. he’s not even a. Christian so it’s not about boasting at all… he jsut wanted to hang out.
I fasted for one whole day and a half and honestly I felt so weak. I could barely move, 21 days is crazy. I heard after the third or fourth day you go into ketosis and you’re feeling better.
I've been doing intermittent fasting for better health since ever. But yeah, I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't done a two or three day fast unto Yah in a long time.
When I was new in Christ and 24 or 25 years old. I worked on dock, rough bunch. Left the lunch box at home and fed on the word instead, right there in the break room. It turned out pretty positive.
Fasting doesn't always have to be a whole day or multiple days either, or always from food. We can fast from entertainment or even attitudes.
Again, I'm embarrassed to say this. But God has been putting an extended fast in my heart, and something always gets in the way.
If its not my flesh its a neighbor (I'm very remote, we try to help each other out up here).
I don't think its optional to seek the Father in this way, I believe its imperative. And yet, here I am, still stuffing my face and wondering why my prayer life has been less than optimal lately.
If not now soon. We will all be fasting. Might as well get the practice in.
Good to see you Jacko.
Shalom Shalom