How to Start Fasting for God in a Way That Works скачать в хорошем качестве

How to Start Fasting for God in a Way That Works

Learn how to fast biblically. This beginner’s guide explains fasting in the Bible with key examples, the purpose of fasting, how long to fast, and how to start fasting with prayer and humility—so you can draw near to God and build spiritual strength. Biblical fasting is a powerful spiritual tool God has given us to humble ourselves, to draw near to Him, and to seek His will in our lives. Add a new level to your biblical fast when you apply these principles of biblical meditation. Watch next:    • How to Practice Biblical Meditation: 3 Key...   Browse our full library of resources at https://www.tomorrowsworld.org | Learn more about our church, the Living Church of God, at https://www.lcg.org View our full sermon library ‪@mylcgtv‬ 00:00 What Is Fasting in the Bible? 00:26 Examples of Fasting in the Bible 01:02 Biblical Fasting Defined 01:58 How to Fast Biblically 03:36 How Long Should You Fast? 04:13 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting 07:00 What Is the Purpose of Fasting? 08:00 What to Do During a Fast 09:05 How to Prepare for a Fast 10:00 Summary of Biblical Fasting We will show you how to start fasting for God in a way that works. First, let’s see how the Bible defines fasting. Every year on the Day of Atonement, on what is considered to be the holiest day of the year, God instructs His people to “afflict” their souls. In Leviticus 23 26-32, this is mentioned three times. The same Hebrew word translated as “afflict” in Leviticus 23 is used by David in Psalm 35, where he says: I humbled [afflicted] myself with fasting (Psalm 35 13). Christians and Jews still fast on this annual Holy Day. Fasting is a practice of afflicting oneself—temporarily denying the body its basic needs. It is NOT penance, self-inflicted punishment, meant to make God feel sorry for us, or an attempt to force our will on God. No, the point of fasting is to humble ourselves. Fasting is a tool to bring humility and the proper perspective in our approach to God. Biblical fasting means abstaining from both food and drink for a period of time. When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai, he fasted forty days and forty nights—neither ate bread nor drank water (Exodus 34 28, Deuteronomy 9 9). Esther was in desperate need of God’s intervention, so she and the Jews with her fasted 3 days and nights (Esther 4 15-16). When Jesus was battling Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, He had fasted 40 days and nights, afterward He was hungry (Matthew 4 2). David reflects on the effects of fasting: My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness (Psalm 109 24). A spiritual fast involves going completely without food and drink, including water, for a specified period of time. Now, how long should you fast? Fasting for 24 hours is a good place to start. But what’s most important is using this tool regularly and with the right attitude to achieve the right results. When Jesus was teaching His disciples on proper fasting, He said, “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites” (Matthew 6 16). Jesus didn’t say, “if you fast” but “when you fast,” indicating that this is a practice to be used regularly by those who walk in His footsteps. Christians need to fast on a regular basis. He went on to explain that fasting is not done for show. In Isaiah 58, God condemns the people of ancient Israel for their superficial show of religion. They fasted, but not for the right reasons. Instead of fasting to humble themselves, seek God’s will, and put off their sinful behavior, they fasted only to appear righteous before God. God wasn’t pleased. God will not be pleased and will not reward our fasting if we aren’t truly seeking humility, His guidance, His power, and His will to be done in our lives. The purpose of fasting is to grow in humility, draw closer to God, and submit to His will in our lives. If we aren’t doing it for the right reasons, the fast will be ineffective. So when we fast, we need to spend the majority of our time in prayer, bible study, and meditation. When Daniel was seeking understanding, he “set [his] face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9 3). Daniel’s example gives us much to learn from. We don’t want to let the things of this world distract us and divert our attention away from God. We need to guard our minds from Satan, from the carnal society around us, and from the selfish desires of our own human flesh and self-will. Practical tips for biblical fasting: Devote your time to God (prayer, bible study, and biblical meditation) Take time away from work Avoid fasting on busy days with scheduled activities Keep a spiritual focus throughout the fast Prepare your body physically Stay hydrated the day before your fast Avoid over-exerting yourself Don’t eat heavy, salty, or spicy meals right before fasting Consider your current state of health and personal circumstances. #biblicalfasting #fastingforbeginners #christianfasting #atonement