Has Anyone Fasted & Are We Christians Suppose to Fast??? Does JESUS Expect Us, that Believe in him to Fast?

When the Jews complained that Jesus' followers didn't observe the Jewish fasts, Jesus explained:

"And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast." Mat 9:15 (also Mark 2:19-20, Luke 5:35)

The Lord expected us to fast, but the NT doesn't really have much in the way of instruction. Jesus said not to make our fasting obvious, so that people could tell (Matt 6:16-18). But beyond that, there is little.

This is where the Tradition (literally, "that which is received) comes to the rescue. The Tradition of the Church is that we are to fast. Within Orthodox Christianity, there are set methods and times for fasting. It means laying aside excess, unnecessary and rich foods (not *all food), and adding more prayer. Typical Orthodox fasting is Wed and Friday, when no meat or dairy products (including eggs) are eaten, and no wine/beer or [olive] oil; shellfish is allowed. Lent is a longer period when these are not consumed (except wine & oil on weekends.)

These are not "works" to prove to God that he should let us into heaven; we do not believe in salvation by works, but by the grace of God. They are training periods for us.

Fasts are entered into carefully, with regard to health conditions, and under the guidance of an experience spiritual director, such as the priest.

Don't go off on your own and create a fast; it won't be in accord with the ancient practice of the Church, and you can do more harm to yourself and others around you than good.

Blessings.

/Orthodox

I asked my pastor this question today! lolz!

ps: I've fasted before

He basically said to fast with the expectation of I will get some reward from God "be it a vision, a realization, a blessing of some sort, etc." is the wrong motivation to fast. Fasting for this reason gets dangerously close to thinking that we as human beings can actually DO something to earn God's favor. Remember its salvation by faith alone, not by works.

He also said that fasting when practiced well, is supposed to be a giving up of the flesh desires in favor of getting closer to a person's spiritual desires. "i.e. man should not live by bread alone" "the idea that by eating the spiritual bread of Christ, you will never get hungry". Its a coming closer to your own personal spirit by giving up something that you value during the day, be it TV, food, or something else, to spend more time in the word, or in prayer, or connecting with your spiritual self. Its more in its right context a discipline. It can also be used as part of your personal relationship with God, say you sin at somepoint, and then you decide to fast as an indicator to God about how bad you really feel about the sin. Ultimately, God knows your heart, but he appreciates any communication he can get these days ya know?

Orthodox Christians do indeed fast in certain ways. On Wednesday and Friday, we are not supposed to eat anything that had a backbone, dairy, eggs, olive oil, or wine, as well as eat only two meals and no snacks. There is a total fast from midnight until Communion every Sunday morning. Holy Saturday is supposed to be a full fast day. Also, remember that fasting involves praying, so just "not eating" isn't sufficient, as that is just an invitation for demons (Orthodox refer to not praying while fasting the demon's fast).

Certain types of people are exempt from fasting in the Orthodox Church (those with health problems like diabetes, or pregnant women). Fasting is NEVER meant to put your health in jeopardy.

Jesus indeed expected us to fast (Matthew 6:16). He said "When you fast....", but left no further instructions.

I would advise not fasting without spiritual supervision. It is meant to bring you closer to God through self-control; it is not meant to show religious piety

There are references to Jesus saying to fast..When they asked Him why the pharisees and John the Baptist"s boys both fasted but not J's disciples..He responded about the bridegroom being with them for now..When the disciples could not cast out the demon from the one boy, Jesus ended the story saying that," this kind can only be cast out through fasting and prayer" E few others , I think..Isaiah 58 is the best reference to fasting that I found

Mat 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

Mat 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

I fast only when there is no food. Jesus would not want me weak. I don't know where this fasting stuff started or what it's supposed to do for you but really -- not eating when there is food? What sense does that make?

Haven't you heard of fast Sunday? First Sunday of every month is fast Sunday, or so I've been told. Then you take the money that you saved by not eating, and donate it to the...

To the...to somebody, I'm not sure though.

May some of the bible people on here would know that detail. Donate it to whom?

.

There is no obligation to fast. But there is no instruction against it either.

1 Corinthians 8:8

"But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do."

There are no verses that I'm aware of that command us to fast. That sounds like a church doctrine. Since we've been commanded by God, to come out of the churches and to be separate from them, I wouldn't waste my time with church theology.

I fast on Mondays....join me....its loads of fun, and it brings the presence of Jesus close in my life...Satan hates it, which really makes me happy.