Week 06 - Fasting (for real this time :-)

Yeah, so this time we are really going to talk about fasting :-) Below is the summary of the chapter:

Fasting is often looked down upon in our society for two reasons. The first is that is has the appearance of self righteousness. The second is that we are falsely told that it is physically harmful to us. Both of these reasons have no reality in true fasting as it is is a practice that awakens our sense of dependence on God and even has many health benefits.

We are reminded that fasting always centers around spiritual purposes - particularly it reminds us that we are sustained by God. Any other benefits must be considered secondary to this.

Foster suggests that during our fast we seek God through prayer, meditation, and study during the time we would normally eat our meals.

We must realize that while fasting is a wonderful means to experience God's presence it is not a command and those who fast are no more loyal to God than those who do not. Still, many of the greatest believers have made fasting a regular practice and have been blessed greatly though it.

Some questions to think about . . .

When you think of fasting is it a positive or negative idea? Why?

Have you ever fasted before? If so, why? If not, why not?

For those that have fasted what have you learned about yourself? About God? About the world?

Did anything significant occur during or as a result of your fasting?