FASTING 5 Reasons to Fast 1. Jesus makes it clear that prayer with fasng is more powerful than prayer alone (Mahew 17:21). Church Tradion and the Saints also tesfy that fasng adds power to prayer, parcularly peonary prayer. Jesus says in Scripture that His disciples will fast. 2. Hunger pangs are a reminder to pray and rely on God throughout the day. 3. Fasng disciplines one’s passions, and thus is an andote to gluony, lust & anger in parcular; but also to envy and greed. 4. Eang takes a good chunk of me everyday. Choosing to not eat frees up me to pray and to do acts of service. 5. Digeson actually takes a lot of energy. Most persons who pracce fasng (especially over a period of days) find that they think more clearly, and pray with beer concentraon.
Transcript
FASTING
5 Reasons to Fast
1. Jesus makes it clear that prayer with fasting is more powerful than prayer
alone (Matthew 17:21). Church Tradition and the Saints also testify that
fasting adds power to prayer, particularly petitionary prayer. Jesus says in
Scripture that His disciples will fast.
2. Hunger pangs are a reminder to pray and rely on God throughout the day.
3. Fasting disciplines one’s passions, and thus is an antidote to gluttony, lust &
anger in particular; but also to envy and greed.
4. Eating takes a good chunk of time everyday. Choosing to not eat frees up
time to pray and to do acts of service.
5. Digestion actually takes a lot of energy. Most persons who practice fasting
(especially over a period of days) find that they think more clearly, and pray
with better concentration.
5 Types of Fasts 1. No snacks. Eat normally all day, but no
eating between your three meals.
2. Skip one meal.
For example: skip lunch
(eat breakfast, but do not
eat again until dinner).
3. “The Daniel Fast.” is from the Bible
(Daniel 1:8-16). Basically it is no meat or
dairy throughout the day. (You can find
many suggested variations online).
4. Typical Fast. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday envision only one meal;
though two “small meals” are allowed if your strength requires it.
5. Full Fast. A full fast is liquids only (water, coffee,
tea). A variation includes any clear liquids, and
many consider eating bread only to be a “full” fast.
A few further considerations:
*If you have medical issues or questions about whether your health might suffer from fast-
ing, consult your doctor. Older folks with medical issues are better off “offering up” their
aches & pains in a given day than fasting.
*Fasting should not inconvenience others. Do not do a “Daniel Fast” when going to a
friend’s house for dinner and then bring attention to your dietary choice.
On the other hand, fasting at home will mean your family knows, and that you might sit-out
dinner (or sit at the table and not eat); this is completely acceptable and okay (and should not
