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My First 24-Hour Fast

Today was the day that I completed my first 24-hour fast.  I know that Steve does lots of fasting, but for the most part, his is for dietary reasons.  While the dietary benefits are intriguing, my reason for fasting is for my spiritual growth.  By removing earthly sustenance (food), I create a need for fulfillment.  With fasting, my goal is to fill that need with God.  So today was my first attempt.  And I loved it!  Whenever I felt hungry, I prayed to Jesus.  When I worked out, I listened to silence in order to pray and wait to receive the Holy Spirit.  When I drove home, I turned off the radio just to have some more time with God.  I didn't hear anything.  But that's fine.  I didn't hear anything yet--that's the key.  God's not a light switch.  Or a vending machine.  He's my Heavenly Father.

For more information on fasting, here's one link from Campus Crusade's website that I thought was particularly interesting. 

I'm really glad that I've started to integrate fasting into my spiritual life.  I think I'll be adding it into my weekly goals.  A 24-hour fast a week.  But not on as a pharisaical practice.  But as a spiritual discipline.  

Thursday:
1- 25 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 15 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
1- 3 Mile Walk
30 sit ups
Read the Bible
Prayed
Went on another date with Anna

Total:
4- 25 minute sessions on the Elliptical
4- 15 minute sessions on the Treadmill
4- 10 minute sessions on the Stairmaster
3- 3 Mile walks
180 sit ups
3 sets of 2- 60 second planks
Read the Bible
Prayed
Went on 2 dates with Anna

Remaining:
1- 25 minute session on the Elliptical
1- 15 minute session on the Treadmill
1- 10 minute session on the Stairmaster
2- DVD workouts
30 sit ups
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily

5 comments:

  South Beach Steve

October 23, 2009 at 4:11 AM

Beej, I am happy to read you have done this. I know it has been on your mind for a while. Although I am fasting for dietary reasons, I don't downplay the spiritual side either. I would love to say that I pray instead of eating on the fasting days, but that is not true. I do, however, think that it does allow us to take our minds off of the earthly things (food) and put them on the spiritual things. That being said, I need a spiritual-based fast.

  Josie

October 23, 2009 at 9:49 AM

I so admire you for this!!

  Yum Yucky

October 23, 2009 at 1:09 PM

Yes, I sooo need to turn off the radio on the ride in to work and just "listen". Thanks for the encouragement!

Josie

  Anonymous

October 23, 2009 at 4:09 PM

I would pass out if I tried to fast. Glad you are incorporating this into your life. I am a big fan of doing whatever works for you.

Two dates!!! Wow! Anna must have been thrilled.

  beej

October 23, 2009 at 10:54 PM

Kimberley, I'm also a fan of finding whatever works for each of us. Fasting may work for me, and meditation may work for you. Whatever gets us to our goal--thanks be to God!