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ShortyLaRock_82
Guest
How long does one have to abstain from food in order for it to qualify as a legitimate fast?
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marty1818
Guest
I don’t think there is a definite answer to this question. As Catholics we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. We only have three meals that day so most people go without food for 6 or so hours throughout those days. That’s still considered fasting. If you are wanting to fast than do what you feel is reasonable for you without putting your health or wellbeing at risk.How long does one have to abstain from food in order for it to qualify as a legitimate fast?
God Bless,
Matt
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Mister_De
Guest
This doesn’t answer your question directly, but it might help you out…
Here’s a great online book called A Full Catechism Of The Catholic Religion by Rev. Joseph Deharbe.
books.google.com/books?id=_SkPAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=a+full+catechism
Just scroll down on the side, find where it says “Search in this book”, and type in “meat”. It will bring up all the sections that deal with fasting.
Here’s a great online book called A Full Catechism Of The Catholic Religion by Rev. Joseph Deharbe.
books.google.com/books?id=_SkPAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=a+full+catechism
Just scroll down on the side, find where it says “Search in this book”, and type in “meat”. It will bring up all the sections that deal with fasting.
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
A fast is a fast, regardless of how long it is. I can fast from lunch, or for a day. Both are fast, just to different lengths of time.How long does one have to abstain from food in order for it to qualify as a legitimate fast?
To abstain means to restrict the type of food you will eat.
Jim
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ShortyLaRock_82
Guest
Cool.A fast is a fast, regardless of how long it is. I can fast from lunch, or for a day. Both are fast, just to different lengths of time.
To abstain means to restrict the type of food you will eat.
Jim
I was worried that God would see a short fast as being a sign that a person isn’t very serious about it.
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
There are different forms of fasting, not just food.Cool.
I was worried that God would see a short fast as being a sign that a person isn’t very serious about it.
Fasting from TV
Fasting from talk
etc.
Sometimes, these are more beneficial for spiritual growth than fast from food, for often these things stunt our growth.
Jim
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ShortyLaRock_82
Guest
Is God more likely to take our prayers into consideration if we fast? It would certainly be clear proof that the person praying is serious and sincere if they are willing to carry out some action in conjunction with prayer.There are different forms of fasting, not just food.
Fasting from TV
Fasting from talk
etc.
Sometimes, these are more beneficial for spiritual growth than fast from food, for often these things stunt our growth.
Jim
P
puzzleannie
Guest
one should not be doing anything other than traditional prescribed fasting discipline of the Church, according to your rite. If you do that it qualifies as fasting for penitential purposes. anything beyond that should only be undertaken with advice and consent of a spiritual director or confessor.How long does one have to abstain from food in order for it to qualify as a legitimate fast?
L
LilyM
Guest
Well, Jesus refers to certain particularly stubborn demons that could only be cast out by combined prayer and fasting, this would seem to indicate that prayer can be more effective when combined with fasting.Is God more likely to take our prayers into consideration if we fast? It would certainly be clear proof that the person praying is serious and sincere if they are willing to carry out some action in conjunction with prayer.
To add a note of caution to puzzelannie’s, prolonged or drastic fasting can potentially be very damaging to physical health as well as spiritual health, so a doctor should be consulted beforehand in addition to your priest or spiritual advisor.
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
Fasting strengthens us spiritually. We are able to overcome temptations more easily, when we fast, because those who fast, align their will with God’s will.Is God more likely to take our prayers into consideration if we fast? It would certainly be clear proof that the person praying is serious and sincere if they are willing to carry out some action in conjunction with prayer.
Prayer and fasting go hand in hand, but either the two done without love, is useless.
Jim
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ShortyLaRock_82
Guest
But does fasting make God more willing to answer prayers?Fasting strengthens us spiritually. We are able to overcome temptations more easily, when we fast, because those who fast, align their will with God’s will.
Prayer and fasting go hand in hand, but either the two done without love, is useless.
Jim
Let’s say you want to pray for the safety or protection of another person. Will fasting make your prayer more acceptable to God - and thus more likely to answer the prayer?
D
DJgang
Guest
You should not look at fasting that way.But does fasting make God more willing to answer prayers?
Let’s say you want to pray for the safety or protection of another person. Will fasting make your prayer more acceptable to God - and thus more likely to answer the prayer?
I have not read in the Bible at all where God says that fasting makes Him happy. Or that He’ll listen to you if you do…Jesus talking about fasting as in casting demons, I think He meant that we will grow spiritually by fasting and thus our own faith to cast out those demons (now remember this is all types of demons…see it as a symbol as well)… will increase and grow.
The Bible also mentions that we should not fast with a sad face, complaining or saying, Hey look at me, I’m fasting …I would think that even includes God.
God bless.
S
ShortyLaRock_82
Guest
Is there anything one can do to make their prayer more fine tuned so that God will be more likely to answer it?You should not look at fasting that way.
I have not read in the Bible at all where God says that fasting makes Him happy. Or that He’ll listen to you if you do…Jesus talking about fasting as in casting demons, I think He meant that we will grow spiritually by fasting and thus our own faith to cast out those demons (now remember this is all types of demons…see it as a symbol as well)… will increase and grow.
The Bible also mentions that we should not fast with a sad face, complaining or saying, Hey look at me, I’m fasting …I would think that even includes God.
God bless.
M
MarieVeronica
Guest
I agree with everyone. I don’t think there’s any rule about length of time for fasting. Just offer to Our Lord, whatever amount of fasting you can. If the fast is offered to Him, with love… I’m sure He accepts the sacrifice.
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puzzleannie
Guest
fasting does not change God, it changes the individual who fasts. the purpose of fasting, prayer and penitential acts is to lead us to conformity to God’s will, humility and obedience. Yes God is pleased by whatever his children do for him, but he is not manipulated by it.But does fasting make God more willing to answer prayers?
Let’s say you want to pray for the safety or protection of another person. Will fasting make your prayer more acceptable to God - and thus more likely to answer the prayer?
if you go without food for a period beyond the time you would ordinarily eat, that is fasting. whether or not it is penitential or spiritually beneficial depends on your attitude, intent and prayer accompanying the action, and its fruit in charity.
C
Chris_LaRock
Guest
I think shorty asking if praying and fasting for someone else will have any effect at all.fasting does not change God, it changes the individual who fasts. the purpose of fasting, prayer and penitential acts is to lead us to conformity to God’s will, humility and obedience. Yes God is pleased by whatever his children do for him, but he is not manipulated by it.
if you go without food for a period beyond the time you would ordinarily eat, that is fasting. whether or not it is penitential or spiritually beneficial depends on your attitude, intent and prayer accompanying the action, and its fruit in charity.
S
Scanner
Guest
I am happy to see this subject being discussed and am listening intently.
I am currently talking about co-authoring a book, from a medical perspective on fasting with a MD. In fact, we are both considering opening a “medically supervised fasting clinic” and are thinking of integrating in a spiritual advisor/chaplain to the practice.
(he would like a swami. . .I would like a priest/minister or rabbi - all major religions have fasting in some form)
We are struggling with many parts. . .mainly, we want to avoid “medicalizing” it. That being said, there are real risks, esp. for individuals with metabolic diseases like diabetes and if you are on meds.
I appreciate the forum’s caution.
Anyway, I am rambling about myself. . .sorry.
Fasting, I have found for me, to be
a. Difficult to contemplate
b. Easy to execute.
There’s nothing to a fast. You just rest, pray, reflect, and meditate and just drink water. Hunger disappears after about 24-30 hours. And be serious about the rest part. . .going about your daily routine is not to be condoned.
Breaking the fast, if it’s extended, requires some concentration and know-how.
You shouldn’t break your fast with an Extra Value Meal from McDonalds.
Just an opinion. . .but I think the Church has overstressed praying and good works and understressed fasting as our society has become a land o’ plenty. I think they are missing an opportunity for healing more people.
Just an opinion. I may offer to give a talk at the Catholic Church group as I know one of my patients teaches CCD and has been fascinated by the extended fasting I have partaked in.
(actually to some. . .a 72 hour fast isn’t that “extended.” She says, “I could never do that.” and I know she could. . .it’s just difficult to contemplate)
I am currently talking about co-authoring a book, from a medical perspective on fasting with a MD. In fact, we are both considering opening a “medically supervised fasting clinic” and are thinking of integrating in a spiritual advisor/chaplain to the practice.
(he would like a swami. . .I would like a priest/minister or rabbi - all major religions have fasting in some form)
We are struggling with many parts. . .mainly, we want to avoid “medicalizing” it. That being said, there are real risks, esp. for individuals with metabolic diseases like diabetes and if you are on meds.
I appreciate the forum’s caution.
Anyway, I am rambling about myself. . .sorry.
Fasting, I have found for me, to be
a. Difficult to contemplate
b. Easy to execute.
There’s nothing to a fast. You just rest, pray, reflect, and meditate and just drink water. Hunger disappears after about 24-30 hours. And be serious about the rest part. . .going about your daily routine is not to be condoned.
Breaking the fast, if it’s extended, requires some concentration and know-how.
You shouldn’t break your fast with an Extra Value Meal from McDonalds.
Just an opinion. . .but I think the Church has overstressed praying and good works and understressed fasting as our society has become a land o’ plenty. I think they are missing an opportunity for healing more people.
Just an opinion. I may offer to give a talk at the Catholic Church group as I know one of my patients teaches CCD and has been fascinated by the extended fasting I have partaked in.
(actually to some. . .a 72 hour fast isn’t that “extended.” She says, “I could never do that.” and I know she could. . .it’s just difficult to contemplate)
C
CRB
Guest
Yes. Pray according to God’s will.Is there anything one can do to make their prayer more fine tuned so that God will be more likely to answer it?
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