Can I fast on another person's behalf?

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The_New_Sage

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If you’ve read the prayer intentions thread recently, you’d find a topic on my ex-boyfriend’s foray into transgenderism. I’m praying for him like crazy - hours every day. I’m not sure if it will do any good, due to his free will, but I’m gonna try!

I asked my priest if I could fast on his behalf. He said he wasn’t sure but I’m not sure if he understood the question. Basically, if I fast for my ex’s conversion and acceptance of his male self…well, can I do that? Or is fasting only a spiritual discipline to strengthen one’s own faith?
 
Yup, you can fast with the intention of helping another. The priest’s reticence was probably because you question could be understood in two ways. The first is you could me fast so as to offer it up for the other benefit, that is fine and holy. The second is you fasting in the place of another when they have an obligation to fast, which you can’t do.

So…yup you’re fine doing it. Just don’t go over board where you start to medically harm yourself.
 
We can enter into fasting for causes outside ourselves such as prayer and fasting that the nation turn back to God.

Where it might get into tricky territory when it is focused towards an individual is the motive behind it. If the purpose is to somehow spiritually control them through ingratiating ourselves to God, and therefore God will do our will for that person, it might not be the best intention.
 
The_New_Sage said:
If you’ve read the prayer intentions thread recently, you’d find a topic on my ex-boyfriend’s foray into transgenderism. I’m praying for him like crazy - hours every day. I’m not sure if it will do any good, due to his free will, but I’m gonna try!

I asked my priest if I could fast on his behalf. He said he wasn’t sure but I’m not sure if he understood the question. Basically, if I fast for my ex’s conversion and acceptance of his male self…well, can I do that? Or is fasting only a spiritual discipline to strengthen one’s own faith?
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I think fasting is a form of prayer. I personally have fasted in prayer for others. I’m curious to see the responses.

Yes, free will, but you can pray/fast for the graces needed to follow Christ.
 
You may do so, but be careful! Don’t harm your own health in the process.
 
You can. You do have to use common sense. Skipping one meal, eating light meals, all for intermittent periods. Always a good idea to run things past your confessor / spiritual director.
 
You might look into the book the fasting prayer by franklin hall. Or the atomic power of fasting
 
Jesus fasted for 40 days. Our culture has a bias against fasting, but it used to be practiced frequently.

If you are pregnant, under 18, or very thin you should not fast. But otherwise, eating small amounts throughout the day will make your metabolism slow down. But eating nothing for several hours will energize you.

Praying for your friend.
 
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