BEFORE YOU START FASTING
BEFORE YOU ENTER INTO A FAST of a week or more, it is best that you prepare your body a few days (3-5) in advance with a cleansing diet of fresh vegetables and fruits ending with days of liberal amounts of pure fruit juices. This will help greatly in easing the transition from stimulation (the average daily diet) to detoxification (rest, repair and healing process or a fast).
GOD DIDN’T TELL ME TO FAST? God will sometimes call you to fast and at other times we must humble ourselves or just be used by God to intercede, Mark 2:20 says…”Then shall they fast in those days” Remember you are fighting against spiritual forces of darkness (Satan) and he will come in many forms to defeat you if he can, so fast from food and “eat the Word”; study, search, meditate, declare on the Word and let the Word dig deep inside your inner man. There will be a craving for food and discomfort. Be aware that some of these things may occur, especially when rising from a sitting position too quickly, such as; “weakness, dizziness, sharp pains, vomit- ing, hot flashes, fever, insomnia, foul breath and etc. This is considered normal and will pass usually in 7-10 days.
How can we neglect so Many Promises?
We hope you will be inspired to seek God after reading just a little of what God has provided to us who believe through proper fasting and prayer. Our families and our Churches and this nation need believers who are willing to intercede on their behalf and destroy the strongholds that have been developed over generations. We at Christian Life Center have made up in our minds that “ordinary just won’t do” and we want all that God has for San Diego, this Nation and the World.
Now let us Pray:
Repeat these Words:
HOW DO I START FASTING?
Each day you should maintain a great attitude in all you do, while prayerfully grooming yourself so as not to appear to be fasting. Drink at least two quarts of water every day of your fast. Drink water that is not too cold. IF POSSIBLE, DRINK DISTILLED WATER ONLY, AS REGULAR FAUCET WATER IS HEAVILY
CHLORINATED. Water is vital to keep the channel of elimination (bowels and urinary tract) functioning properly. Bowels should move every few days, but if not, do not be alarmed but do continue drinking good amounts of pure water (distilled). DO NOT USE LAXATIVES, PURGATIVES, OR SUPPOSITORIES DURING
A FAST. Your bowels will move as often as they need to.
DURING YOUR FAST
The skin is the largest organ of elimination of the body and when fasting, as with all the other organs of elimination, it is really burdened with eliminating poisons. When one fasts, the pores excrete poisons and are covered with toxins, so it is important to keep your body clean and free of toxic buildup. This is done by thoroughly cleansing the skin daily with a loofa or skin brush. Unless one has deep-seated ailments, most wastes, poisons and toxins, will be oxidized and passed off in approximately seven to ten days.
EXERCISE AND REST
You must get adequate rest (mentally and physically). You should participate in light exercise every day. During your fast use wisdom when exercising. While some form of exercise is needed, you must not participate in strenuous exercise. Just don’t go beyond what your body can bear. Get some sunshine each day if possible. Walking and small periods exercise allow your pulse rate to increase and the blood to circulate which will expel and move toxins and poisons out of the body. Remember if fasting is new to you, be aware that insomnia can take place because of all the changes in the body so find a good book or whatever can bring you to a restful state. Don’t be alarmed at those late nights, (I am a witness) just remember that fasting and prayer go together.
FUNK PATROL
IF YOU ARE MARRIED,
You should consider 1 Cor. 7:5, “Do not deprive one another (of your due marital rights) except with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not tempt you (to sin) because of your lack of self-control” One should seek the Lord for knowledge, wisdom and harmony, especially if their spouse is unbelieving. (James 1:5)
Every couple should understand the benefits and warnings of fasting. My wife and I have had nothing but benefits as two believers seeking God’s face. But there are times when my wife will ask for my consent on a longer fast and I will request for her to fast during another time frame. God gave us this advice so the enemy would not have his way with our marriages. My wife always submits in this area because she understands God Word. When prayer and fasting are entered into by a couple in one accord (watch out!) because they will defeat the enemy and their relationship will become more intimate and you know there will be no problem with mutual consent (smile).
FASTING IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE CLEANSING FROM SIN, BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CLEANSES FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (1 JOHN 7:1)
BREAKING YOUR FAST
MODERATION IS THE KEY
Always break a fast slowly and by gradually adding things back to your diet. Eat light breakfasts (juice and fruit), light lunches (salads), and maintain very light dinners for several days following the fasting time. This is a great time to begin wise eating decisions. Any meal you eat after the fast will be the “break-fast,” whether morning, noon or night. Eat as little as possible, don’t go back to the garbage gut lifestyle (smile) WHEN BREAKING THE FAST EAT SLOWLY AND CHEW THE FOOD THOROUGHLY. This helps in proper digestion. Don’t break your fast with spicy meals because they stress the digestive system that has been in a state of relaxation. Again do not overeat! Always take several days (one day of fresh juice for every five days of fasting) to gradually transcend to a vegetable diet. Whether you have fasted three days or 24 days, THE FIRST THREE DAYS AFTER YOUR FAST ARE THE MOST
IMPORTANT. No matter how long you fast, if you do not break it right you could do more harm to your physical body. It takes just as much (maybe more) discipline to break a fast than to start a fast.
During a fast, especially the first few fasts, the body is still quite toxic and certain cleansing and healing sensations can be experienced. It is best to know about this in advance so as not to become alarmed or discouraged if and when they occur.
Sometimes when a fast is improperly broken, many uncomfortable conditions can arise. Bloating and other conditions can be corrected by spacing your meals at longer intervals, going on a partial fast again, and then proceeding to break the fast properly.
“If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speak- ing wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
More things He expects you to do during your Fast
- Take away the yoke from your midst
- The pointing of the finger
- Speaking wickedness
- Satisfy the hungry and afflicted soul
More Promises concerning proper fasting
- Light shall shine in Darkness
- Your darkness shall be as the noonday
- The Lord will guide you continually
- The Lord will satisfy the drought in your soul
- The Lord will strengthen your bones
- You will be like a well watered garden
- Like a spring that never stops flowing
- Those from among you shall build waste places
- Your shall raise up foundations for many generations
- You shall be called “Repairer of the Breach”
- Restorer of Streets to dwell in
Proper way of Fasting
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I Am.”
These are some of the things God has commanded us to do while humbling ourselves before him:
- Loose the bonds of wickedness
- Undo heavy burdens for others
- Let the oppressed go free
- Share your bread
- Open your house to the poor and outcast
- Do not hide from your family
These are some of the Promises:
- Your light (renewal) will come out
- Healing will come quickly
- Righteousness will go before you
- Glory of the Lord shall protect you
- When you call on the Lord He will answer
“Here I AM!”
IF YOU ARE NOT A REGULAR FASTER
or find it difficult to fast and carry on your daily work or activity, you can begin with “partial” fasting by abstaining from one or two meals daily. Some days you may choose to forego all three meals. YOU CAN OF COURSE BREAK THE FAST PROPERLY AT ANY TIME YOU FIND THE EXPERIENCE TOO UNPLEAS-
ANT. Successive fasting becomes easier as we flush out our system of poisons. We quickly become more sensitive and susceptible to spiritual awareness and renewals.
Fasting as a lifestyle choice is a trying experience. Your body does not want to fast, your friends may not want you to fast, and certainly the devil does not want you to fast because he knows that THE POWERS OF HEAVEN ARE UNLEASHED AGAINST HIM WHEN YOU FAST AND PRAY.FASTING CAN BE YOUR KEY TO HEALTH
because it purifies every cell in your body. Even a two-day weekly fast will cleanse out the accumulation of toxic debris from your circulatory system and vital organs. One cannot starve themselves and become healthy, but by prayer and reasonable periods of fasting one can provide critical health benefits. Again, Remember that breaking THE FAST IS THE MOST CRITICAL POINT OF THE ENTIRE FAST. Sipping juices can help greatly in most cases.
The stomach and intestinal tract go to sleep after a few days of fasting. When wrong food is placed into them suddenly, and in the wrong manner and quantity, they REBEL. They cannot awake suddenly. To receive real benefits from fasting, a nutritious build up diet of natural foods must be taken. This will help supply the regenerative process initiated by the body during the fast. Strength and energy should be conserved more during the fast because great strain and labor is required to enable the stomach to receive food again.
PLEASE BE PATIENT AT THIS TIME! Also do not become anxious because your strength is at a minimum. It will pick up as soon as the stomach can readjust suf- ficiently to assimilate the heavier food soon to be received. During the “breakfast,” meals should be spaced 4 to 5 hours apart. Be sure to complete all eating by 8 PM. This allows the body to perform at its best because it can follow the normal digestive outline that follows
AFTER A FAST OF 3 – 5 DAYS:
First day: Three or four meals of fresh citrus fruit or juices. Lots of Water.
Second day: Light soups, fresh fruit, vegetables, and salads. Lots of Water.
Succeeding days: Gradually work in a regular diet leaving off any unhealthy “habit formed” indulgences, etc. Lots of Water.
AFTER A FAST OF 6 – 13 DAYS:
First 2 days: Break the fast on fresh fruit juice. At the next meal eat fresh citrus fruit moderately. For the balance of the two days you may eat three or four meals of fresh citrus fruit only. Lots of Water.
Third day: Light soups or skim milk, buttermilk, or yogurt. Lots of Water.
Fourth day: Green salad or steamed light vegetables. Lots of water.
Fifth day and after: Three meals of fresh fruit, green salad, yogurt, or some nuts may be eaten. Lots of Water.