First Fast

I'd never tried fasting before. It wasn't even on my radar screen until a few years ago. I can not remember any teaching about it during all my time growing up attending church. I have had some teaching on it in the past few years, and certain circumstances led me to a first attempt. I still don't have a completely clear understanding of fasting, but I am slowly coming around. I was always confused about how not eating would give me more time to read the Bible or pray- I mean, I can dedicate more time to that and still eat a good meal. I didn't know what good would come about in me or in my relationship with God just by skipping meals. The whole thing sounded counter-productive. Won't I just sit around thinking how hungry I am? I'll be too weak to pray or do anything.

I have to say that it did not play out exactly as I had imagined in my mind. I ate dinner one night and did not eat again until 24 hours later. During that 24 hours I slowly saw a shift in my thinking. At first I was wondering what my body would do. When would I feel hungry? I felt a bit of pride as I thought about how I was attempting something new. I went through the morning as always with the kids, not thinking too much about spiritual things. Then at lunch time I felt hungry. I started thinking about all those that feel hunger and have nothing to eat. It made me so thankful to God for providing food for our family. I started thinking of all the things God provides for us so easily. I thought about how much he cares about me. I started feeling thankful for my children and praying for their futures. By dinner I had even a new shift in thinking. From thankfulness to repentance. I thought about all the things I let fill me besides God. I am a want it now- get it now kind of person in the way I think about food, money, relationship, etc. So often I turn to these things in search of comfort instead of giving my heart to God. I eat when I'm hungry, but I also eat when I am bored, or lonely, or hurting. Why do I eat then instead of praying and listening to God. This was opened up to me during my time of hunger and I was thankful to see it.

I did feel a sense of spiritual growth during my time of fasting and will most likely do it again sometime. I had actually intended to fast longer than 24 hours, but at almost exactly the 24th hour my body became very ill and I had to break the fast. It was difficult to eat when I broke the fast, even though I was hungry- my body was rejecting the food after not eating for 24 hours. I think I have a sensitive system. I felt physically bad and went to bed early. When I woke in the morning all was back to normal. I think fasting becomes easier on the body after practice.

If considering a fast- I recommend reading the section on fasting in Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster or other literature before trying.