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

Answers

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.