Why I feel the compulsion to log this fast I have no idea. I just feel like it’s such a rare experience fasting for this length of time, I wanted to capture and learn as much as I could from it.
No REAL Hunger Pangs Yet
As I write this I’m midway through the day and have had minimal hunger pangs. I’m sure they’re coming mind you, and I’m sure with a vengeance. One thing physically that I’ve avoided while fasting this time is anything like breath mints, gum, or even any flavored beverages (other than tea). Some people I know that fast, still drink juice, coffee, and even pop. I’m not trying to rationalize my use of tea but the warm light beverage soothes me only ever so slightly. What I’ve noticed when I’ve tried to fast and still drink those other beverages, they actually increase my cravings for food. Eliminating them, at least for me, is the only way to go.
The Workman’s Fast
One thing our pastor has instituted was the Workman’s Fast. On this fast one would avoid food and drink (other than water) until 5 p.m. at which time they would eat, and then fast for the remaining time until 5 p.m. the next day. This fast is an excellent option for those that cannot fast for extended periods of time, or for those who may have a strenous job, but would still like to participate.
More on Motive
I think here the overall intent is to spend less time eating and more time in prayer. Simply avoiding food, from a Christian perspective, is not fasting. We must accompany our fasting with prayer and Bible reading/study. The intent is to sacrifice the appetites of the flesh in favor of pursuing God and becoming more spiritually in-tune with His will and design for your life. Not that food interferes with that necessarily, but hitting the flesh where it hurts the most can certainly bring about a sobering sense of reality. Plus, I think there’s a beautiful sense that we are looking to Jesus for our Daily Bread as it were versus looking to our refrigerator for sustenance.
John 6:47-51 – 47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48I am that bread of life. 49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
How Do I Feel?
Aside from dealing with my pre-occupation with food, I’m feeling a tenderness well up in my spirit. A soft wooing as it were to come closer. I feel a part of me stripping away, and yet another part of me growing stronger. I know, I know, it’s only been 2 days, but much like I get when I’m about to go on vacation, I have an excited anticipation about where this will lead me. The only difference with this trip is, the less baggage the better!
Biblical Fasting
I wish I could take credit for this excellent resource on fasting but I can’t. Here is a link to some very valuable information about Biblical Fasting.
Rodger's Rants, Writings, and Rambles 
Another good passage to read is Isaiah 58. It is amazing how much time we spend thinking about food, planning our next meal, planning where we will eat and even preparing the “perfect” meal.
What if you spent some of this time feeding the hungry? I know it sounds crazy. I have a friend Charlie (one of the pastors at the Promiseland in Austin) who knew I was on an extended fast (he was the only person who knew) and he asked me to make him a sandwich. I was so tired, I just wanted to sit down (we were at some type of singles meeting at the time). He told me if I would make him a sandwich while I was fasting I’d be blessed. (lol-I think he just wanted a sandwich).
As the matter of fact, I have been reading Isaiah 58 everyday. I find it important to align my view of fasting everyday so I remain on par with what God intends for me to experience. Your reference to feeding the hungry is not crazy at all Sis. In fact in that passage of Isaiah God instructs the person on a fast to deal their bread to the hungry –
v. 10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
v. 11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
So essentially, it’s not enough to just avoid food, we need to seek the opportunity to distribute our food in some way to those who are hungry and poor. The return on this is far more powerful than the sacrifice if you ask me. Thanks again and God bless.