They were worshiping the Lord and fasting ….
Acts 13:2
In 2010, I started noticing examples in the Bible of people fasting as a community. Up until this point, I had viewed fasting as a top-secret solitary activity, (Matthew 6:16-18) and it was something in which I had no personal experience. During 2010, I had the opportunity to fast with some of my closest friends. The encouragement and support of my friends while fasting was invaluable.
I would like to invite you to find a group of friends to fast with or to join me in a fast as 2011 begins.
“Fasting is cleansing. It cleans out our bodies. It lays bare our souls. It leads us into the arms of that One for whom we hunger. In the Divine Arms we become less demanding and more like the one who holds us. Then we experience new hungers. We hunger and thirst for justice, for goodness and holiness. We hunger for what is right. We hunger to be saints. Most of us are not nearly hungry enough for the things that really matter.” Macrina Wiederkehr A Tree Full of Angels
For more information about the fast I will be doing see these links:
Fran and I are with you for 21 days! Though when I went to Amerigos yesterday for lunch I discovered the only thing I could eat was the Caesar salade! But last night cabbage, turnip greens, black eyed peas and lima beans. Hope those are not misbehaving! Rusty
In my church we have a monthly 24 hour fast(first Sunday of the month). We pay offerings and take the costs of those meals and donate them to the church who apply those funds to those who need food and other physical nourishment. We are sometimes called on to fast for specific things as a church, and I have participated in many family fasts for specific family needs. Its amazing to feel the spirit of the Lord fill those needs both personally and as a community. I would love to join you. The miricles are sometimes seen immediately, and sometimes they are not always shown. But spiritually, when fasting with pure intent, I have always felt growth. Bless you for your discovery and sharing it with others. I was so excited to see your blog post! I have missed you and your sweet spirit. The internet NEEDS you!
God is a very practical God and I think He designed our bodies to thrive while fasting. We cleanse not only our souls, but our bodies. I think the body is the allegory (right word?) that clues us into what’s going on in our soul.
@Rusty I am glad that you and Fran are also doing the Daniel fast. It has also been very encouraging to my Dad.
@Megan.
Thank you for taking the time to share your some of your fasting experiences. I like how your church has a regular time of fasting and sharing money saved while fasting. I have shared what your church does with my Dad who is a pastor.
I am glad that you want to join me on this fast. I think fasting is particularly challenging for headache patients.
Thanks for missing my blogging. Sometime I may blog about the things I have been learning.
Thinking about you also dealing with headaches, and also having three kids, has been an encouragement to me by reminding me I am not alone on this journey.
@Beth
Thank you for sharing the Daniel Fast with me. I love what you said about God being practical. Sometimes we think we are doing something for God by fasting when really He is doing something for us!