Fasting

[M_T_E]

So, I have been convinced to try fasting tomorrow.

Wanted to hear your experiences with this.

I know it's a spiritual thing and is supposed to bring you closer to God, are there any other important aspects of fasting I am not aware of? I was told to pray tonight, pray several times during the day and when I finally do eat dinner to say prayer then as well.

I don't eat much in my normal daily life, often I skip dinner and half of the time do not even eat lunch but I always eat a decent sized dinner. Stress often contributes to my ability to miss meals and not be bothered, I am sure others have felt the same on this.

But yea.. Input is welcome! The missionary said she will be fasting with me (even though she is in Utah), and praying for me as well.

[pam]

I would have something in mind that you are needing help with. Something to fast and pray about. Whether it be that someone you know who is ill recovers quickly. Or perhaps even being able to have an open mind to all that you are now learning. Or even to have an understanding of the words you are reading in the Book of Mormon.

[M_T_E]

I am experiencing tough financial times and am in need to transistion back into the semiconductor field again rather than working in food.

A set schedule would be appealing, and important to make attending a Sunday service easier as well.

[BadWolf]

I ditto Pam's "intent".

I only eat once a day, usually.

(IRONICALLY -aaaargh- it tends to be "fast Sunday" that I wake up and go all Betty Crocker and make a huge brunch. And then a perfect light lunch. And then get to sacrement and go "Again?!?!?!" Face. Palm.)

What Ive found, though, is that there is a big difference in not eating, and fasting. Even not eating for a variety of reasons (forget, stress, laziness, no money, etc.)

That difference is intent.

Even if we're out of Ramen, and I wouldn't be eating... Or I get bad news and know even if I made myself eat Id throw up... CHOOSING to not merely not eat, but to actually fast is a different breed of animal.

Along the same lines, Ive chosen TO eat while fasting (like my son makes me breakfast, or my neighbor comes over with banana bread all hot and buttered as an excuse to visit/nosh/chat.). I've found the days I CHOOSE to break my fast out of kindness (and bump it to the next day, or whenever, as long as I do it)... I get 2 amazing days instead of 1.

Again, I think its the INTENT.

I'm choosing to be kind (to my son, or my elderly neighbor), instead of focused on my own wants.

Which to me, is part of fasting. Fasting is giving up something that I want. Which may sound weird, since I don't really "want" to eat, per se most days, until I give it up. (try it, its hard to explain). Being kind is VERY different from being tempted. I think my sister goes inside my head and times her cheesecake baking to my personal fast days. Girl!!! Don't make me choke you!!! There are a LOT of temptations. Totally different from a kid pouring their heart into scrambled eggs, or a lonely old woman who would never be so rude as to eat in front of you. Temptations can be skirted ("THANK YOU!" ... Gush about said cheesecake. Praise said cheesecake. Put said cheesecake in the fridge to STARE at me until tomorrow. Through the door.). Kindness? I think never should be.

[pam]

Here is a great talk about fasting from one of my most favorite Church General Authorities. I was so sad when passed away:

The Law of the Fast - general-conference

[Anddenex]

Read Helaman 3: 35, one of my favorite scriptures.

Fasting is an opportunity for mortals to set aside their personal appetites to increase our individual temperance.

My experience with fasting, when I was fourteen I began fasting, on my own accord. It wasn't until I was on a mission that I realized that I never fasted with a purpose. In other words, my fast never began with a prayer, or for any important reason.

However, this was according to the knowledge I had at that time and the Lord still blessed my fasting.

This Sunday I will be ordaining my oldest son to the office of a deacon, within the Aaronic priesthood. I will be fasting. This will allow my heart to turn to God while thinking upon my son.

We can fast for many reasons.

[skalenfehl]

For me, fasting brings heaven closer, thins the "veil" that separates us from divinity and strengthens my relationship with Jesus Christ. Fasting intensifies prayer, subdues the flesh, and invites the Holy Ghost into our lives. The more we focus on purifying ourselves by keeping all of God's commandments, the more our eyes become single to God's glory, which is to bring to pass our eternal life (life WITH God in heaven).

The more we leave Babylon (the world and all worldly things), the greater and stronger our relationship with the Lord becomes. I know this to be true. As we align our desires and our will with God's, the more clearly we will be able to see his purposes in our lives. It makes asking the right questions in prayer easier. I promise you that God answers ALL prayers. They may not always be the answers we want, but they are the answers we need to come back home to Him after this life is over. This is what matters most. Here is another really good article about fasting, which will be helpful.

Fasting with Power - Ensign Apr. 2009 - ensign

[LilyBelle00]

I have no advice for you because I honestly don't think I've ever fasted with a purpose before. I was raised in the church but I was always just told "it's fast Sunday, so don't eat". I'm just now starting to learn how to fast.

I was just going to share something that struck me as funny last Sunday. Our branch is newly opened and super tiny. We don't have a piano player and every Sunday they have been playing a cd on a little boombox. It skips, gets put on the wrong song, plays faster than the singing... Awful.

Anyway, last Sunday at the beginning of our sacrement meeting, I was reading the back of the program with the upcoming events and it said "February 3rd - Fast Sunday" and underneath that it smaller letters said "Fast for a pianist to move into the ward". Lol. I don't know why I thought that was so funny but I was giggling like a little kid and my husband was shushing me. :)

[M_T_E]

I'd have to say that so far this has been a very positive experience mentally and spiritually.

Thanks Pam for posting the link, I enjoyed reading that. Seems I don't utilize the website lik I should since a majority of the time links get sent its to there.

How often do you all fast? Im collecting atleast once a month?

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

How often do you all fast? Im collecting atleast once a month?

Generally speaking, once a month, but more often if a need arises. My husband and I fasted weekly for a time when one of our children was struggling. Or someday you might have a big decision to make, and decide to do an extra fast. It is a personal decision.

I have found fasting to be a great strength in my life. At times where I could not do a full fast for medical reasons (medical reasons could be pregnancy, nursing, diabetes, medication...etc) then I do a "modified" fast. I still get great benefit from that as well.

Good luck with your fasting.

[M_T_E]

For my first time fasting, I'd have to say that it was a very positive and enlightening experience in its entirety.

And an unexpected act of kindness happened during as well.

At my complex we have a community key that is $100 to replace, my old car got broken into and the key stolen from it. We intend to move out this year and that would have been money out of our deposit. Thanks to the kindness from the lady in the office we got a free new key and we should expect a full refund after we move somewhere else.

Edited January 25, 2013 by M_T_E

[skalenfehl]

How often do you all fast? Im collecting atleast once a month?

Sometimes only once a month on what our church calls "Fast Sunday," but more often as the Spirit prompts and sometimes up to several days at a time, depending on my desires and the circumstances. In the Book of Mormon, members of the church fasted very often for others who struggled with faith, for others who were ill or had passed away or often simply to rejoice.

D&C 59

10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;

11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;

12 But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.

13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.

14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.

15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance...