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.

At Grace Apostolic, (our church), Pastor Stephen has declared that starting January 2, 2008, the month of January a month of consecration. This means essentially we will be fasting and praying for 21 days. Now, I have yet to actually fast that many days in a row. I have fasted as many as 7 days before, but never beyond that.

The all-important thing for me now is to get over my obsession or pre-occupation with food. I’m told, and I’ve read in several articles, that food brings with it a variety of things OTHER than nutrition. There are the associated addictive properties and of course the bond that one can have with food. The one I wish to briefly touch on is the “comfort” factor.

Food’s Comfort Factor

I can’t believe I’m actually acknowledging this, but it’s true. I find comfort in food. What does that mean really? Just that I turn to food for emotional support when I have so many other avenues, cheifest of course is the Great Comforter Jesus. In Hebrews 13:5 it’s stated to, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” I don’t know about you, but THAT’S comfort. Whatever tie or pre-occupation with food that I have, I must render it ineffective in my life when compared to the comfort the Lord provides me.

The Right Motive for Fasting

I can’t overstate the importance of maitaining the right frame of mind and heart when fasting. I can’t escape the physical effects that fasting will have, but  I do not want them to overshadow the spiritual impact that I hope fasting will bring. Someone asked me yesterday, “with you planning on fasting the entire 21 days with just water (actually I am allowing myself 4-6 cups of herbal tea a day), did you weigh yourself to see what you started at?” My reply was simply no. My focus is not on what physical changes happen as much as spiritual changes that happen. That means downplaying whatever effects (good or bad) that arise with fasting and seeking rather to grow spiritually. John the baptist said it best, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

Bible References 

Some other scriptures I point myself to when I fast are here Isaiah 58 (the whole chapter) and Matthew 6:16-18.

How Do I Feel?

With Day 1 under my belt (or no longer under my belt depending on your view of fasting), I have to say I feel remarkably well. I only feel slightly weak physically, but spiritually I feel I am embarking upon something that is sure to reap far greater benefits for me than if I were to be eating physical food.