Woman's Guide to Fasting

E. Nelson Lisa

Description

Christians often give up on fasting, or don't try it at all, because they lack thorough advice. Most fasting books explain the biblical reasons to fast, but they provide inadequate practical guidance. This concise book shows women the essential steps to successful fasting. Key topics include how to prepare physically and spiritually, what to expect during the fast, and how to reintroduce food. Whether the reader has never fasted before or has tried it occasionally, or wants to fast for one meal or for several days, this unique resource will equip and encourage her to grow closer to God through fasting.

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 01 août 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441232335
• Langue: English

Extrait

Start Reading
© 2011 by Lisa E. Nelson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3233-5
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Emphasis in Scripture shown by italics is the author’s.
The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen, or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well-being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The information and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the author. However, readers who rely on information in this publication to replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
Cover design and photography by Andrea Boven Nelson
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION,® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations identified AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.lockman.org )
Scripture quotations identified NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE,® Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.lockman.org )
Scripture quotations indentified NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
1: What Is Fasting?
What is biblical fasting? What kind of fasting is acceptable in God’s sight? How long is a fast? What is prayer and fasting?
2: Why Fast?
Reasons to fast may include: spiritual growth, intercessory prayer, spiritual warfare, in obedience to a call, and in response to a crisis.
3: Should You Fast?
Do you have a medical condition? Are you pregnant? Are you bargaining with God? An honest look at fasting limitations.
4: Getting Ready to Fast
What is the physical preparation for fasting? What foods should you avoid? How long should you fast? Should you follow a plan? What spiritual preparation is helpful?
5: (en)During the Fast
What might you expect to feel physically and spiritually during a fast? What are some tips for busy people? How do you spend more time in prayer and the Word during a fast?
6: You Did It!
How do you break a fast? What foods should you eat—and avoid? How do you apply your new spiritual growth after the fast?
7: Preventing Fasting Fiascos
What are the physical and spiritual lessons from fasting flops? How do you pick yourself up after a fast that went wrong?
8: The Sacrifice of Praise
What are the lasting benefits from fasting? How does fasting help us worship God? How does fasting help us persevere in prayer?
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography/Resource List
About the Author
Back Cover
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
—John 10:10 nkjv
Fasting is amazingly powerful. It is simple, but not easy. Most people can fast successfully with just a little information and encouragement. Let’s not make fasting into some impossibly difficult practice reserved for a select few.
The aim of this book is to equip you with practical information about the physical and spiritual aspects of fasting. Why? Because fasting satisfies the desire of our hearts: to know and walk intimately with God.
I was raised Catholic. Because of my strong Catholic faith, I knew that Jesus was the Savior; I just didn’t understand that He was my Savior. When I was in college, I was invited to an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Bible study on my dorm floor. As I studied the Bible, my eyes were opened and I came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Catholics fast. While I was Catholic, I fasted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and I fasted from meat on every Friday during Lent. When I stopped worshiping in the Catholic Church, I stopped fasting.
Fifteen years went by and I was steadily growing in faith. I was teaching women’s Bible studies and leading prayer. I was a stay-at-home mom with two small children. One day I received a letter from my old boss. We had served together as army JAG officers. I thought the world of him: great leader, good man, excellent officer. He wrote that he had just been diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer. Forty-eight years old, he had retired only two years previously and had never smoked a day in his life. He knew I was a Christian and asked me to pray for him. He was a lapsed Catholic.
I was getting ready to eat lunch when I got that letter. I was so shocked by the news that I had to read it twice. Tears filled my eyes. Immediately the Lord impressed upon my mind, “Fast and pray.” I left the table and walked to my bedroom and started to pray. I understood the Lord was asking me to fast and pray for the rest of that day. I fasted from lunch and dinner. I prayed. I emailed other Christians and asked them to pray. I put him on every prayer chain I knew.
I wrote back and told him I was praying. A few months later he wrote again and thanked me for praying. He said he had reconciled himself with God and regretted neglecting the church. He had surrendered his life to Christ. He especially regretted that his children were not raised in faith and asked me to pray for them. As much as I had prayed for his physical healing, I desired his soul’s salvation most of all. I was overjoyed and praised God over and over.
He died a few months later. When I attended his funeral Mass, I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me, assuring me, again, that my boss was now in glory. Outwardly I was calm; inwardly I was floating with joy.

When I could look back and analyze that whole experience, I realized:
God initiated the fast.
God empowered my prayer in that fast.
The fast was for only two meals, yet it was powerful and effective.
My faith in God exploded.
I began searching for more information on fasting. I sensed the Lord was leading me to incorporate fasting into my life, but I wasn’t sure how. Should I wait for another clear invitation from Him? Should I set up a certain day to fast? I was at a loss. I found Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline and read the chapter on fasting. He wrote about fasting regularly for twenty-four hours each week. Then I came across a passage that has been a useful guide to me ever since: “If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical benefits, success in prayer, the enduing of power, spiritual insights—these must never replace God as the center of our fasting.” [1]
I began to fast once a week over a three-month period. My faith grew. And all these years later, fasting is a vital part of my faith walk with Jesus.
This may sound weird, but fasting is a joy. It reveals my motives and the true condition of my heart. The Word of God nearly leaps off the page when I’m fasting. I hear God so clearly and know His will so plainly that my prayers are powerful and effective. I forgive others and ask for forgiveness. But as useful as fasting is, I don’t forget it is merely a tool. I don’t love fasting; I love God.
Since that first fast in 1997, God has invited me to fast repeatedly. He has used this simple practice to mature me, to grow me in grace and truth. I have learned to fast for anywhere from a few meals to forty days. I have made mistakes in fasting, and I have had amazing victories in fasting.
I am convinced the Holy Spirit is calling us to a holy and deeper walk of faith. He is inviting us to fast.
Fasting Is a Discipline
Many of us have come to salvation through Jesus Christ by faith, and we know we’re supposed to walk out this salvation by faith. Yet many of us are wondering exactly how to do that. We may have been taught that “faith in action” is believing in and obeying God, but we’re just not sure what that looks like in real life. We soon realize we can’t overcome sin in our own strength, and at the same time we know that we can’t just sit back and wait for God to wave a magic wand, and poof! all our sinful desires are gone. How do we live and walk by faith and not by guilt, wearying works, and failed self-control?
Unsure of what to do, we try a lot of everything: teach Sunday school, help with hospitality, attend prayer services . . . the list grows with our busy Christian activities. We