Fasting, the voluntary, willful, abstinence from food, or the depriving of one’s body of food and certain drinks for a few days or weeks, has the primary benefit of allowing man’s spirit to dominate man’s flesh! Approached correctly, fasting is highly beneficial physically, and spiritually. It is interesting to know our Lord Jesus taught His disciples saying, “when ye fast”, implying fasting should be a normal, periodical event. Matthew 6:16. Some practical guidelines follow to make fasting a safe experience one would want to repeat.
Water, to remain fully hydrated for body cleansing during the fast, is vital! Pure, (distilled) water is recommended for the best results taking care to avoid Water Intoxication, taking too much water, for the kidneys to process. The rule of thumb is that the kidneys can process one liter per hour, and normal human consumption is 2 to 3 liters during the course of the day.
The health benefits of fasting include cleansing the body of toxins accumulated in the body cells, resting the body organs that deal with food, improving the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, enhanced mental performance, and improved fitness. Fasting is known to reverse certain chronic diseases, and promote longevity. Spiritual benefits include a more effective prayer and intercessory ministry, and spiritual empowerment to withstand temptation in times of trial. Fasting with prayer is essential to liberate and spiritually heal some spiritually afflicted, and oppressed persons. Matthew 17:14 to 21.
Comprised on average of 65 percent water, the human body cannot be denied water for longer than three days. The normal human body can survive without food for 40 days, but without water, not much more than three days! Denying the body food and water in a Total Fast is extreme, and should only be embarked upon in the most extreme circumstances. To be safe, a Total Fast, where food and water are refused the body for a short period between 12 and 48 hours, should under no circumstances exceed two and a half days! Total fasting without water beyond three days, will cause organ damage, and the fast could quickly prove fatal through organ failure!
A normal fast is a no food fast where one simply ceases to eat for a predetermined period no longer than 40 days. Drinking pure water in the right amount to cleanse the body during the fast, enhances the experience immeasurably. The right amount of water is sufficient to satisfy one’s thirst, and one stops, until one feels thirsty or hungry. A spoon of apple cider vinegar once a day, and lemon in one’s drinking water, can make fasting very enjoyable.
A Partial Fast where one denies oneself one’s favorite foods can also be considered. Daniel set his face to eat “no pleasant bread, neither flesh, nor wine for three weeks”, nor did he anoint himself in his quest to fully understand the vision. Daniel 10:3 and 14.
Fasting for the first time, may, dependent on one’s lifestyle prior to the fast, result in a headache. It is well to be prepared for this understanding that toxins begin to leave the body with fasting, and this can manifest as headache. It is best to drink a glass of water, and then lie down to rest. When fasting for the first time, usually the first three days prove to be the most difficult, after which the stomach shrinks, the bowel completely empties, and one begins to feel physically in top form. It is best to prepare the body for fasting by eating decreasing portions for a few days leading up to the fast. This has the effect of shrinking the stomach, and acclimatizing both body and mind to eat nothing during your fast. The body should be in Ketosis after the 4th day. This means the body begins to access nutrients stored in your body’s fat cells. Be aware you may have a degree of halitosis, and take precautionary measures such as regular teeth brushing.
As a final word of caution, when breaking your fast, depending on how long you fasted, a slow return to eating normally is desirable. Taking a day per week of fasting to get back to normal is a good rule to follow. Start eating again with a weak vegetable broth, or one small mouthful of soft fruit like banana or avocado, then gradually increase meal portions at the normal times of eating. Do not go out and have a big celebratory meal!
Fasting for solely health purposes can be done as often as one wishes. Some folk fast daily by skipping one of their meals, or by having only one meal a day. Others use Monday as fasting day every week. It is entirely up to the individual.
Fasting for spiritual reasons is a little different from normal health fasting. Firstly, the reason we embark on the fast should be sound. Secondly, no one must know about this fast, only God, who will see you in secret, and reward you openly. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites of sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly”. Matthew 6:16 to 18.
Scripture is abundantly clear on the right, and wrong reasons for fasting. “Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here am I. Isaiah 58:3 to 9.
By Lester Oliver Thomas Flock © 2020