John Mee – Some programmer in Sydney

It’s quite an experience. It is not as hard as I’d expected to go without food everyday. I haven’t died, or staggered about, or had difficulty speaking, reading, or talking. I don’t even have a horrible pain in my belly. There’s been no greater discomfort then when I’m really hungry after a long surf. I’m marveled to find even the fact I am fasting can be completely forgotten with any half decent distraction.

It’s not completely without impact. I’ve avoided all exercise. I am hit with a curious new form of tired: moving slowly, meditatively, conservatively. It’s not like depression-tired or illness-tired or exercise-tired or even lack-of-sleep-tired. I venture to suggest its even like the ‘zoned’ feeling I’ve experienced, in a former life, when coming down from uppers like ecstasy. At points I’ve felt euphoric in myself and strangely sensitive and empathetic toward others; that touchy-feely sensation of being comfortable to reach out and touch others, or like a child who is over-tired and can’t stop giggling.

I know my next meal is only as far as the fridge. I seriously doubt it’s anything like having no idea where your next meal is coming from.

I do have a whole new appreciation of how the body can survive on just a meal here or there. Does our body really need three whopping big meals a day with snacks in between? I’m sensing a resounding “no”! A lot of those trips to the fridge are habit, a break, a reward, a comfort, nothing to do with hunger and kilojoules.

But why would you bother fasting?

I’ve never, in my entire life, voluntarily attempted to not eat, for any period of time. Sure, I been hungry, but I’ve never held back any longer than the time required for the mere logistics of getting food to my face. Indeed, western hunger is measured by how particular we are about what to eat, rather than how long since food was available.

What I have gained from this experience (so far) is learning that the very concept is even possible. Fasting has made it into the toolbox of ways to communicate with God. I confess I approached this with fear: of the unknown and a question of purpose. Next time I can approach with confidence, to a purpose, with intent and commitment. Something like: “God, you are, you rule. This is how fragile and feeble I am; how mighty your gift of life truly is”. We’ve all heard mountain climbers state something like “only when I am close to death do I really appreciate life”.

If you want to focus on God I gotta say this is a pretty good way to do it. I have been asking myself why, and there are a few reasons. Sometimes prayer alone just doesn’t cut it: I drift off topic; or get distracted and simply decide that prayer time is up after a few “God can you give me this” requests. I’m not convinced I’ve accumulated a lot more time in prayer during this fast but the prayer I am doing has been more vastly more relaxed, fluid, and sincere. I don’t feel it has been at all pointless and I think, although I am unsure about the correctness of this thinking, that next time I really need to focus on a bringing specific prayer, or praise, fasting will really help me knuckle down and show God I’m serious about it.

So I was walking around the city and felt unusually detached from the rush of business about me. I felt willing to engage with people and experienced genuine desire to make more than a passing connection. I found myself praying for specific individuals who crossed my path. Chatted to some length with a street seller and an elderly lady on the ferry; reaching a surprising depth with brief conversation. When I met up with friends I felt an unusual sense of love and appreciation for their friendship. A realization that friendship is immensely valuable but dynamic and temporal; waxing and waning in response to care and nourishment.

I suspect overdoing it would lead to self-righteousness, but in moderation my eyes are opened, I totally recommend it.

I’m doing with the rest of my church and the community spirit as a result has been wonderful. This is the pamphlet our minister, Bruce Clarke, prepared for us in the lead-up…

A week of Seeking God through…

Prayer and Fasting

Many people have asked me what’s this week of prayer and fasting about? Here are a few thoughts to help you on your way. By following these eight basic steps to fasting, you will make your time of fasting more impacting and spiritually rewarding.

What the Bible Teaches

In the Bible, the regular way appointed for seeking God is by prayer. As the Apostle Paul says we are to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 4:6-7). However there are times in the life of a believer or a church when the concerns and needs assume serious or significant proportions. Situations become urgent. The Bible is full of examples of people who when faced with such critical points fasted and sought God in fervent prayer over a period of time in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus and Moses both fasted for 40 days in their ministry for spiritual power and wisdom. Daniel fasted for 10 days in response to the needs of his people. David spent a week in prayer and fasting as he mourned over his sin.

Although fasting is not commanded in the Bible, it appears to be expected of all believers as a part of their Christian walk, for Matthew 6:17-18 says “when you fast”. Jesus when teaching on fasting did not say “if you fast” but rather “when you fast”; he does not command us but rather assumes it will be a part of our life. This is what we see in the church when at key times we see people fasting and praying (Acts 9:9, 13:1-3, 14:23). As a church – we commence a new year of ministry. I believe it is vital that we dedicate ourselves to the Lord and call on him to do great things in us and through us as we fast and pray.

Why should we fast?

When we think of fasting, there are two essential ideas that we should keep in mind.

First, fasting is an act of dedication. It is recorded of the prophetess Anna, “And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers” (Luke 2:37b). She unreservedly dedicated herself to the Lord. As we being ministry this year we need to do this as a church – dedicate our whole lives and bodies to God (Romans 12:1-2).

The second essential idea about fasting is that it is an act of self-humbling. Fasting levels a strategic blow against our pride. It is in our humility that God hears us. David prays in Psalm 35:13-14, “Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.”

Fasting is the outward expression of inner submission and brokenness. When we engage in fasting we are declaring that we cannot help ourselves, and that God is our only resource. It is an observable crying out to God.

Types of Fasts

• The Normal Fast involves abstaining from all solid and liquid food except for water.
• The Partial Fast involves abstaining from just certain foods. You can live on just certain foods during the duration of this fast such as bread and water; or you may choose to fast certain meals each day.
• The Daniel Fast consists of fruits, vegetables, and water.
• The Juice Fast consists of fruit and vegetable juices only.

There are other types of fasts where we abstain from other things besides food. Things such as television, radio, casual mobile phone or internet use, shopping for non essentials, magazines, entertainment, and movies may be objects of our fast. Any activity that has begun to be too important in our lives is worth fasting from. As we seek the Lord in prayer and fasting for a week, we ask people to work out themselves under the Lord what type of fast they will undertake depending on their individual needs and conditions (some people for medical reasons e.g. diabetics, shouldn’t fast from food and responsibilities parenting work etc).

Steps to Fasting

STEP 1: Set your Objective

As a church, we are praying and fasting for a number of reasons.

• Repentance – we need to seek God about growing holiness (Daniel 9).
• Wisdom – we need to seek God for the future directions of the church (Acts 13:1-3).
• Renewal – we need to seek God for him to renew our first love of him (2 Chronicles 7:14 & Revelations 2:4-5).
• Spiritual Power – we need to seek God for him to fill us by his Spirit so that we are empowered for ministry (Luke 4:1-14).

Work out what your key objectives are.

STEP 2: Make your commitment

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Decide the following upfront:

• What type of fast will you undertake for the week? Will it be for a normal or partial fast?
• What physical or social activities you will restrict (Movies, TV, video, games). This week is a time to spend special times in prayer as we fast. Aim to have a quiet week free from some of the normal weekly activities you engage in.
• How much time each day you will devote to prayer and bible reading? Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare yourself spiritually

The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Things such as unconfessed sin will hinder the effectiveness of your fast. Here are several things you can do to prepare heart:

• List and confess your sin and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
• Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25, Luke 11:4, 17:3-4)
• Ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, 1 John 5:14-15)
• Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your fleshy nature (Romans 12:1-2)
• Have an expectant heart as to what God will do (Hebrews 11:6)

STEP 4: Put yourself on a Schedule

For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with God. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. Structure a daily routine for yourself including such things as beginning your day in praise and worship and reading God’s word, taking prayer walks, meeting with others to pray, etc.

STEP 5: Prepare yourself Physically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions, consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer:

• Do not rush into your fast
• Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting the week-long fast. Avoid high-fat and high-sugar foods. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting.

STEP 6: During the Fast

The importance of the following factors will obviously depend o the type of fast you undertake, but there are some helpful hints to consider once your fast has started:

• Do not stop taking medications
• Limit your activity
• Exercise only moderately. Rest as much as your schedule will permit. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness and anxiety
• Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second and third days. You may have fleeting hunger pains or dizziness. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may also include weakness, tiredness or sleeplessness.

The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually, however, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

General tips on Juice Fasting

• Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar energy. The taste and life will motivate and strengthen you to continue
• The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, carrots, celery or leafy green vegetables.
• Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach’s sake
• Avoid caffeinated drinks
• Avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad! They stimulate digestive action in your stomach.

Precautions

Drink warm water instead of cold and do not drink too much water at one time. Take a bath or shower regularly during your fast because fasting causes many impurities to be secreted through the pores of your skin thus causing an odour. Do not engage in excessive work or exercise. Walk, read, pray, and worship during mealtimes to overcome temptations.

STEP 7: End your fast Gradually

Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.

STEP 8: Expect Results

If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray and seek God’s face; if we consistently meditate on His word, as a church we will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21) the Lord will give us fresh, new spiritual insights. Our confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. We will feel mentally, spiritually and physically refreshed. We will see answers to our prayers.