Fasting is a sacred time, when Christians don't eat, or don't do anything pleasant, and take time to focus more on God. If you want to focus your life on God, in addition to giving alms to the poor, deepen your faith -- keep reading and find out how!
For non-religious fasting, see How to Fast.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Before Fasting
Step 1. Have a strong will
Remember that fasting for Christians means humbling oneself before Him. This is a way to glorify God. Always keep this aspect in mind when you fast. Not to be confused with other reasons like fasting to lose weight, etc. Focus your fasting intention on Jesus.
Step 2. Pray before fasting
Pray, confess every sin, and invite the Holy Spirit to lead your life. Tell Jesus that you want to know Him more deeply. Believe that He lived without sin, died for you, on the cross to take away your sins and rose 3 days later, freed us from the penalty of sin, and gave us the gift of eternal life. Be humble to ask forgiveness from anyone you have offended; ask forgiveness from God. Forgive those who have hurt you. Don't fast but still feel irritated, jealous, arrogant, angry, or hurt. Enemies will use these things to distract you from the past.
Step 3. Meditate on the gospel, and the holy attributes of God
This includes the intention to forgive, the greatness of His wisdom, His peace, the ability to love unconditionally, and so on. Praise His attributes. Surrender your life and thank Him for everything He has done for you!
Step 4. Determine the length of time you fast, whether for one meal, 1 day, 3 weeks, or a week (Jesus and Moses fasted 40 days, but that doesn't mean everyone has to fast that long)
You can try fasting for shorter periods of time, and start slowly at first, if you've never fasted before. You can also pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how long you should fast.
Step 5. Pay attention to the type of fast you want to live
You may feel the Holy Spirit calling you to a certain fast. Abstinence or partial fasting means that you avoid certain types of food. A juice fast means that you avoid the pleasures of chewing solid food, but instead eat fruits and vegetables.
Step 6. Drink enough to keep you healthy, because it's not a food, considering these Important Warnings:
In a full fast, we don't eat any solid or liquid "foods" -- for example, fruit juices are food -- but water is as necessary for life as breathing, because it can cause floating consciousness, then coma and death only after 4 hours. or 5 days of dehydration.
Part 2 of 3: During Fasting
Step 1. Have morning worship
Perform worship services and praise Him for all His goodness. Read God's Word, meditate that God will give His wisdom to me, so that I can practice His words in my life, and I gain complete knowledge. Pray for God's will to be done, and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to guide you in spreading His glory in the world we live in.
Step 2. Pray while walking
Walk outdoors, get close to nature, while observing God's amazing creation. As you walk, be grateful for all the things He has created. Ask Him to encourage you to be grateful and express appreciation.
Step 3. Pray for the welfare of others
Pray for church leaders to convey God's Word according to His will, so that your friends and family members will draw closer to Him or accept Him in their lives; pray for the leaders in government, and pray for His will to be done.
Part 3 of 3: Breaking (After) Fasting
Step 1. Don't overeat, this is one of the recommended ways to get back into eating habits after fasting
Step 2. Gradually add raw vegetables on the first day of your iftar
Step 3. On the second day, add the baked potato, don't put fat or salt on the potato
Step 4. On the third day, add the steamed vegetables
After that, keep adding extra appetizers to your diet.
Tips
- Make time for personal prayer. Surrender all your worries to Him. Remember to pray about everything and not worry about anything.
- If you accidentally eat something while fasting, ask forgiveness and go back to fasting. This can happen because you eat according to habits.
- To start, you can try for a week or so, eat less and avoid sugar and caffeine to prepare for a full fast. The second day before you start really fasting, you can eat only fruits and vegetables, and only drink water. This prepares your appetite (physically) and your mind not to eat your favorite foods.
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For those who drink juice during fasting: Fresh watermelon, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery and green leafy vegetables are very healthy. Avoid citrus and juices that taste sour.
- Wake up in the morning to drink fresh juice or fruit juice that is frozen and not sour.
- Around noon, drink a glass of fresh vegetable juice.
- Around 3 p.m., try drinking herbal teas, making sure the juice doesn't contain caffeine.
- At night, drink vegetable juice -- let someone else eat the vegetables. To make vegetable cider, you can heat carrots or various vegetables in boiling water. Do not add salt or oil.
- Keep the Bible around the house as a reminder that you are fasting and why you are fasting. Replace main meals and snacks with prayers, which can make you feel better.
Warning
- Fasting should not be used as a way to control weight, it might lose its spiritual meaning and rewards.
- Make sure to get plenty of rest.
- Avoid overeating or eating until you are full after you finish fasting.
- You may get dizzy during fasting, if you are fasting by drinking only juice.
- People who experience various eating disorders should not fast.
- Be careful not to damage your body tissues and lose electrolytes. Follow your doctor's advice and instructions while you fast.
- Don't show off that you're fasting. Matthew 6:17 When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. So that people do not see that you are fasting, but only by your Father who is in secret. Then your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
