Fastng

 Have you experimented with fasting from something besides food? If so, what did you fast from, and what did you notice?

I used to be very hesitant to initiate any type of fasting.  I didn’t want to deny myself anything, sacrificing a luxury or necessity, in order to pray  I was skeptical of anyone who talked about their practice of fasting because it was an act of self promotion and self righteousness. But I’m encouraged by Richard Foster’s comments, that even partial fasting can be a door to greater prayer and worship.  I’m attempting to limit my intake of any carbonated beverage.  Each time I see that type of product, I’m trying to remind myself to pray a short prayer for a family member or someone I know who is in need.  My idea to to train myself to be in prayer more minutes in the day, being concerned about others than myself.  

“It must be underscored that the absolute fast is the exception and should never be engaged in unless one has a very clear command from God, and then for no more than three days.”

“In most cases, fasting is a private matter between the individual and God. There are, however, occasional times of corporate or public fasts. The only annual public fast required in the Mosaic law was on the day of atonement (Lev. 23:27). It was to be the day in the Jewish calendar when the people were to be in sorrow and affliction as atonement for their sins.”

Matthew 6:1

[1] “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:2-4

[2] “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18

“Paul meant that he was engaged in “fastings often” (2 Cor. 11:27, KJV)”

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  --Philippians 3:8-10