Fasting

[Bokhard]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering who all here in the Lutheran forums fasts on a regular basis?

What does "fasting" mean to you exactly; i.e. why do you do it, and what benefits does it have?

To those of you who do not fast, what are your reasonings for not fasting?

Thank you,

Greg
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[ByzantineDixie]

Greg,

Maybe you have seen these before but they are excellent resources regarding instruction and application of the church fast.

(Caution...the following are .pdfs)

http://www.ziondetroit.org/publications/whenyoufast-rev2005.pdf
http://www.ziondetroit.org/publications/fasting.pdf

(These are not .pdfs)

http://www.ziondetroit.org/publications/church-fast.php
http://www.ziondetroit.org/publications/lenten-fast.php

If you have any questions...feel free to PM me.

As far as benefits to fasting...well there are many. But I'll just quote one of the referenced documents.

Christians fast not to imitate Jesus, to better themselves, to lose weight, or to break old habits. And Christians fast not to get a feel for what Jesus went through or to do some sort of religious self-sacrifice. Instead, Christians fast to discipline their bodily cravings and desires, so that their heart’s desire is on the benefits of Our Lord’s Passion and Death given in the preaching and Sacraments.

[Music4Hym777]

I agree with Rose and fast every once in awhile....I always have to get doctor permission before I do though because of a health condition

[MORTANIUS]

Obstaining from certain creature comforts and certain foods, and sometimes if possible, complete fasting for a day or two. Accompanied by praying for forgiveness to God Almighty.

As Jesus mentions, man cannot live on bread alone.

Fasting isn't just an action, but by depriving ourselves of something we are all familiar with (gluttony) we allow the body to be tested and purged of the physical for the sake of the spiritual.

[RedneckAnglican]

"The Celebration of Disipline" by Richard Foster also has a excellent section on fasting...

[LilLamb219]

I fasted regularly a few years ago but haven't had the willpower to do so in recent years ;)

Fasting is never done to try to "earn" some sort of approval or favor from God.

I do like to skip breakfast before heading to church before taking communion though. That is a small fast I would think but it's not something I force myself to do every time before church (no legalism for me!) and it gets embarrassing when my stomach growls in the middle of pastor's sermon LOL

[filosofer]

I like fasting better than slowing, especially the older I get. ;)

Okay, seriously I usually fast before preaching. Yep, Sunday's it's a long time between wake-up and my first meal. But my mind is much better focused for preaching/teaching.

[Melethiel]

Usually just on Sunday mornings, if I'll be taking communion.

[VeryTiredGirl]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering who all here in the Lutheran forums fasts on a regular basis?

What does "fasting" mean to you exactly; i.e. why do you do it, and what benefits does it have?

To those of you who do not fast, what are your reasonings for not fasting?

Thank you,

Greg
<><

To take 'fast' to mean complete abstinence from food and certain drinks (say, all but water), no, I don't, because I take medication three times a day that must be taken with food. I did do it once before the medication, and I found it quite helpful with my meditations for that day (it was a Good Friday.

To take 'fast' to mean partial abstinence from certain food groups or drinks, that I have done, but don't find it to be as effective as a full fast. Since I can still eat/drink, it doesn't feel the same as if I'm only drinking water.

To take 'fast' to mean abstinence from a behaviour or creature comfort like TV, I do that on a more regular basis.

[MORTANIUS]

To take 'fast' to mean complete abstinence from food and certain drinks (say, all but water), no, I don't, because I take medication three times a day that must be taken with food. I did do it once before the medication, and I found it quite helpful with my meditations for that day (it was a Good Friday.

To take 'fast' to mean partial abstinence from certain food groups or drinks, that I have done, but don't find it to be as effective as a full fast. Since I can still eat/drink, it doesn't feel the same as if I'm only drinking water.

To take 'fast' to mean abstinence from a behaviour or creature comfort like TV, I do that on a more regular basis.


I agree with you about complete fasting as opposed to partial (or obstainment). Everyone is spiritually fighting the good fight, and one should attempt not what is easy for them to do, but what actually challenges them spiritually.

Obstaining should be part of our weekly process prior to communion (maybe a couple of days before) and for those who can, fasting in full should be practiced.

These are not tests of the flesh and passions, but our struggle against the flesh and the passions that dampen our souls.

I find that obstaining is sometimes difficult for people, but as with all things in Church life, it is not an occasional thing to be practiced. It must become part of a regimental routine.

We don't pray to God only in Church, but in our day to day lives as well. Fasting/Obstaining should be no different.

I noticed that some people speak against fasting, but not against obstaining from pre-marital sex. Both have much to do with our Passions (the deadly sins) and as where Lust is controlled by obstainment, so too must gluttony.

Prayers are meaningful when we overcome the things that make us slaves to our flesh which causes us to sin.

We can't neglect one thing while paying attention to something else, especially when these things have much to do with each other.

Many of the early Church Fathers long ago wrote about how these things are related to one another. Lust, Gluttony etc. are not independant from each other, but each feeds the other.

Its alot to consider but worth it, so that fasting becomes meaningful and not some robotic process that has no meaning.

It used to be that way for me before I understood the significance of fasting, and shamefully I don't fast as much as I would like. I suppose I still have to pay more attention to my dedication in my faith and not get Lazy (coincidentally another deadly sin "sloth" LOL)

[Jenna]

I was wondering who all here in the Lutheran forums fasts on a regular basis?

I do fast, but not on a regular basis. I should make a point to devote more time and attention to God through fasting though.

What does "fasting" mean to you exactly; i.e. why do you do it, and what benefits does it have?
I fast by giving up all food and drink aside from water. I do it that way because it is what sacrifice that has me relying on the Lord the most, and spending the most time in heartfelt prayer.

To those of you who do not fast, what are your reasonings for not fasting?
When I choose not to fast, it is usually because I am being lazy. Hey, at least I am honest. It doesn't neccessarily feel good to be stretched, and to be put in an uncomfortable place. It is difficult to go through it physically, and very difficult to go through it spiritually. Choosing to embrace both at the same time can be like being broken into a million pieces, and put back together again. For those who are wondering- Yes, it is ultimately a wonderful thing.