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In another thread we touched on fasting, so I have a couple of questions:1. Should Christians fast?
2. How often should Christians fast?
3. How should they fast, i.e. should they eat nothing, bread and water, nothing but fruit, etc?
-- James (stinkcat_14@hotmail.com), May 06, 2004
Hi James,1. Yes!
2. As they feel moved, but regularly (and for the right reasons) is a good idea.
3. It depends, but as long as it involves some form of real sacrifice.
The key is, I think in fasting for the right reasons. Someone already warned about fasting (or sacrificing) with the idea of "earning" our way to salvation. I don't think this would be a good reason.
But to fast in order to glorify God (for penance, for humility, and to aid prayer) would be a good reason.
I like Isaiah 58, Joel 2, Jonah 3, and Matthew 6:16-18 for a good perspective on what our intentions should be when we fast. Just my humble opinion.
Anyone can do a quick word search on "fast" or "fasting" on Biblegateway.com and see how often fasting is mentioned as a good thing to do, but for the right reasons and with the right attitude.
-- Andy S ("aszmere@earthlink.net"), May 06, 2004.
On passover and Rosh Hashanah.These are days marked thoroughout history when one's sins are brought before God.
The Christian Yahwist
-- Elpidio gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), May 06, 2004.