Seeking a more meaningful Lent: Seven tips for fasting

3) Prepare PhysicallyAlthough fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. You, therefore, should not fast without specific physical preparation.If you plan on fasting for several days, it may be helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether. Resist the urge to have that "last big feast" before the fast. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast signals your mind, stomach, and appetite that less food is acceptable.Some health professionals suggest eating only raw foods for two days before starting a fast. Another recommendation is to wean yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast. Some people experience severe headaches two to three days after ceasing to drink caffeinated products or those with high concentrations of sugar.Dr. Bill Bright’s Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer was a valuable resource for completing this tip.2) Prepare SpirituallyIn preparation for this special time with God, those who fast should examine their hearts and confess any sins knowingly or unknowingly committed. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers, just as David declared:Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love. (Psalm 66:16-20)As you seek guidance, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended.  As you humble yourself before God and pour out your soul, you are preparing to receive an abundance of His presence during this time.Use the time to commune with God, listening to praise and worship music, praying, reading and studying the Word of God.Information for this tip came, in part, from Fasting Guidelines supplied by Essandoh Ministries.1) Plan Your FastStart your period of fasting with some clear, specific goals in mind. Determine the reason for the fasting. Are you seeking direction, healing, restoration of marriage or other relationship issues? Are you facing financial difficulties or other challenges for which you are fasting? Are you seeking a closer relationship with God? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.Fasting  is also a time for studying God’s Word, meditating and praying. To help with this, plan a specific Bible passage or topic you want to study during your fast. Look for verses related to the subject about which you are fasting.  Memorize and meditate upon these scriptures. Spend time talking to God and allowing Him to reveal Himself to you in His Word.Part of planning your fast is to educate yourself on different types of fasts and some of the various reasons for fasting. It is also important, not only to know how to begin, but also how to break your fast in the proper way. This is especially critical with fasting for longer periods of time.Take into consideration your schedule during this period. Although fasting, by nature, is inconvenient, it should not be an inconvenience to others, so you may need to consider the possible impact of your fasting upon to those around you.Some medical conditions are prohibitive to fasting. Get the advice of your physician if you have a medical condition. These conditions include diabetes, hypoglycemia, and heart disease, and others. Pregnant and nursing mothers also should not fast because toxins will be passed on to the baby. Also, some medications need to be taken with food so use discretion.Information for this tip came, in part, from 10 Tips for Fasting: A Christian Guide. View the list »
During the Lenten Season, many Christians undergo a period of prayer and fasting.

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In the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter known as Lent or the Lenten season, some Christians observe the season by Prayer and Fasting, described as two of the most powerful Spiritual Disciplines. During a period of focused devotion to developing a closer relationship with God, those who fast can receive benefits, particularly in a spiritual way. For those desiring to know more about how to undertake a fast, the following list offers seven tips for those desiring to practice fasting.

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  1. As with any endeavor, planning is essential for a successful outcome. Before you begin your fast, you should “Plan Your Fast.”
  2. Preparation is key, first of all, in a spiritual context, for many of the benefits obtained from fasting are spiritual, and those who fast should be spiritually prepared before beginning the process.
  3. Going without food can dramatically impact the body. Preparing your body physically beforehand can be helpful when undertaking a fast.
  4. With a variety of types of fasts to choose from, those who choose to fast should be aware of some of the options in order to determine what is best for them.
  5. In addition, there is a wide range of time periods for fasting: from one or two days to more extensive periods of time. The length of your fast is another consideration.
  6. When undertaking an endeavor such as fasting, one can expect to see noticeable effects--spiritually, emotionally, as well as physically.
  7. Just as one makes plans before beginning a fast, one should determine beforehand how to end a fast.
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  • 1) Plan Your FastStart your period of fasting with some clear, specific goals in mind. Determine the reason for the fasting. Are you seeking direction, healing, restoration of marriage or other relationship issues? Are you facing financial difficulties or other challenges for which you are fasting? Are you seeking a closer relationship with God? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.Fasting  is also a time for studying God’s Word, meditating and praying. To help with this, plan a specific Bible passage or topic you want to study during your fast. Look for verses related to the subject about which you are fasting.  Memorize and meditate upon these scriptures. Spend time talking to God and allowing Him to reveal Himself to you in His Word.Part of planning your fast is to educate yourself on different types of fasts and some of the various reasons for fasting. It is also important, not only to know how to begin, but also how to break your fast in the proper way. This is especially critical with fasting for longer periods of time.Take into consideration your schedule during this period. Although fasting, by nature, is inconvenient, it should not be an inconvenience to others, so you may need to consider the possible impact of your fasting upon to those around you.Some medical conditions are prohibitive to fasting. Get the advice of your physician if you have a medical condition. These conditions include diabetes, hypoglycemia, and heart disease, and others. Pregnant and nursing mothers also should not fast because toxins will be passed on to the baby. Also, some medications need to be taken with food so use discretion.Information for this tip came, in part, from 10 Tips for Fasting: A Christian Guide. 
  • 2) Prepare SpirituallyIn preparation for this special time with God, those who fast should examine their hearts and confess any sins knowingly or unknowingly committed. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers, just as David declared:Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love. (Psalm 66:16-20)As you seek guidance, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended.  As you humble yourself before God and pour out your soul, you are preparing to receive an abundance of His presence during this time.Use the time to commune with God, listening to praise and worship music, praying, reading and studying the Word of God.Information for this tip came, in part, from Fasting Guidelines supplied by Essandoh Ministries.
  • 3) Prepare PhysicallyAlthough fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. You, therefore, should not fast without specific physical preparation.If you plan on fasting for several days, it may be helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether. Resist the urge to have that "last big feast" before the fast. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast signals your mind, stomach, and appetite that less food is acceptable.Some health professionals suggest eating only raw foods for two days before starting a fast. Another recommendation is to wean yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast. Some people experience severe headaches two to three days after ceasing to drink caffeinated products or those with high concentrations of sugar.Dr. Bill Bright’s Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer was a valuable resource for completing this tip.
  • 4) Decide What Kind of FastThe type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.There are various types of fasts as well. Some people fast with only water for short periods, while others maintain multi-week fasts with juice and broth maintaining a strict liquid diet. Both are valid. Prayer and fasting, even when done corporately within a group, is an individual experience that is custom designed for that individual.The late Dr. Bill Bright in his book Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer discusses “How to maintain nutritional balance and health from beginning to end (including specific juice and broth recipes)” Other examples of fasts include:Water, Honey and Lemon - This is considered a cleansing fast. Squeeze 1/2 lemon in a cup of hot water and add honey to taste. Drink water throughout the day. This can be used for an extended fast.Juice Fast - This is self-explanatory. No food, coffee, soft drinks, etc. Juice only--fresh carrot juice is excellent. For those who are hypoglycemic, consider using a 50% water mix with the juice, especially if using bottled or canned juices. Fresh juices, however, are best. They may be purchased from a health food store or from using a juicer.Daniel Fast - Fruits, vegetables and water. This is a good fast for those who have physically demanding jobs.Another valuable resource in completing this tip was a discussion “About Fasting” from Morningstar Ministries.
  •   5) Determine the LengthYou may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. If you have never fasted before, it is advisable to start of slowly, with one to three days initially. You certainly don’t want to leap into a 40-day fast as your first experience.During this period of fasting, take time to rest but this does not mean you should do nothing. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Enjoy a walk in God’s creation. Outside of His Word, His creation is one of the best ways that God has revealed Himself.Jentezen Franklin offers this advice in Fasting: Quick Tips.
  • 6) What to Expect When you fast, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. Other possible side effects from toxins may include bad breath, headache, nausea, hunger, weakness, and leg cramps.Be aware of your emotions while fasting. Some people experience vast mood swings during a fast. One moment they are totally focused on God and the next they are wallowing in pity. Knowing that this is likely to happen will help you react properly. Learning to refocus on God and His goodness during this tough emotional time will help when your fast is over and you experience similar emotions.Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God’s face.Information for this tip came, in part, from 10 Tips for Fasting: A Christian Guide.
  • 7) Determine How You Will EndDon’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks. Some recommend end your fast with raw foods, such as grapes or melons. Break your fast with grape juice, fresh fruits, such as grapes or melons, and steamed vegetables, adding other foods in a day or two. Avoid meat, bread, and fats for several meals or days, depending on the length of the fast. Keep in mind your stomach has been inactive and it takes a while to restore essential digestive enzymes and acids. Fasting is a very healing process for your body, so do not undo your efforts with unhealthy foods.Dr. Bright offers specific advice on how to “break your fast” in a healthy way. He concludes his most insightful and helpful guide with these remarks:If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.
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, Western Religions Examiner

Having been blessed with a diverse life, Lonnell Johnson has worked as pharmacist, poet, professor, pastor, and publisher, among other careers. He seeks to observe life from a spiritual perspective and enjoys sharing his observations and insight. Check out his blog, Dr.J’s Apothecary Shoppe or...

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