>GET THE FACTS ON FASTING > >Fasting is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible. >We don't fast to earn something; we fast to make a connection >with our supernatural God. We are cleaning out the "pipe" that >connects us to the anointing of God. It becomes corroded through >the normal course of living in a fallen world, and the best way >to cleanse our spiritual system is through prayer and fasting. > > * How long is long enough? Begin with one day a week. Try to > make it a water-only fast if possible, unless you have some > physical problem. You may supplement it with fruit and > vegetable juices. Begin after dinner in the evening and fast > until dinner the next day. > > * Why does it feel so bad? Nearly everyone experiences certain > unpleasant side effects when beginning a fast. You may get a > headache, feel slightly nauseated, or dizzy at first. This is > because there are accumulated poisons stored in your body > that are purged when you finally rest your intestines and > stomach. Once you press through the three-day barrier, you > will begin to feel good. > > * Should I tell others? Fasting is not a badge of honor. It is > an intimate time with God that doesn't need to be shared. > > * What if I break my fast in a moment of weakness? Weakness is > a natural part of the fasting discipline. It's a way to > understand your desires for the things of this world. Don't > kick yourself if you break the fast. You still accomplished > much and God is pleased with your heart's desire for more of > Him. > > * Is there ONE way to fast? There are many different kinds of > fasts: > > A. The complete fast is a total fast in which you eat and > drink nothing. The maximum time for this is three days and > nights. (Ezra 8:21; 10:6; Ester 4:16). > > B. The normal fast, which Jesus observed in the wilderness, > involves total abstention from food, but regular intake of > water. You could substitute an herbal tea or add a little > lemon or honey to your water. > > C. The Daniel fast or partial fast is when you eat "no > pleasant meat" but instead eat vegetables and drink water. > This is practical for people who have diabetes, hypoglycemia, > or anemia. > > D. The group fast or corporate fast is the kind that turned > God's wrath away from the wicked city of Nineveh. Certain > types of food are eliminated for several weeks by a group of > people. > > * What should I avoid? Acidic juices (orange, grapefruit) > because they can overwhelm your system. Dilute juices, > eliminate meats and desserts. You may want to eat only > fruits, nuts, and vegetables. > > * What's going on with my body? You may feel weak at times. > Don't abuse your body. Rest more, cut back on your schedule. > A fast gives you a chance to tell your body who is boss. > Every craving does not have to be honored. > > * How do I start? Start small and move toward longer fasts > slowly. The discipline of fasting is a flexible discipline > that is focused on intimacy with God. Don't begin with a 21- > or 40-day fast. It is just as scriptural to go on a one-day > fast. > > * What do I do besides not eating? Give time to Bible reading > and prayer. The time spent preparing and eating meals can be > spent in intentional prayer time. Expect mental attacks from > Satan, in the form of depression that manifests itself in a > sense of heaviness. > > * How do I end the fast? Treat your body kindly and with > respect. Don't go out and get the biggest steak you can find. > Gradually re-enter fruits, salads, yogurt - in small > portions. > >----------- > Mahesh Chavda is founder and senior pastor of All > Nations Church in Charlotte, N.C. An international > evangelist, Mahesh and his wife, Bonnie, have led > more than 700,000 people to Christ around the glove. > They oversee the worldwide Watch of the Lord prayer > movement. > > Materials from The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting > by Mahesh Chavda, copyright (c) 1998. Used by > permission of Destiny Image Publishers, 167 Walnut > Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA, 17257. ********************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] To know more about Jesus Youth, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org **********************************************************************
