I fasted today during lunch. I was surprised that Alicia did too, a fellow Sister in Christ journeying with me. :) But I have to say that mine was not good at all. Allow me to share in more detail. In contrast to Alicia's, mine is a BAD example that you SHOULD NOT follow. This is as follows (pardon the pun):
I decided to fast from lunch, duration being 12-6pm today. At 11.30, I decided to eat something so that I wouldn't feel angry as I had lessons in the afternoon. Into the 12th hour of the day, I started to question whether the eating at 11.30 was already considered lunch (cos it did feel like it). 12-1: read the bible, including Isa 58 and recited memory verses. 2-3.30: had lessons. I reached home at 5 or so. By then, I was hungry and tired. I became short-tempered and grouchy and affected my grandma and mum. In order to stave off food, I watched shows on my computer until 6pm. After that, I ate happily, relieved that it is over. At 6.30 or so, my stomach felt uncomfortable, probably due to the milk I drank on an empty stomach.
Yes, it is a totally bad example. I did not read Mr. Chiang's post on fasting before fasting, so I did it the totally worldly and wrong way. There was no focus on God at all. Instead, I relied alot on my own strength.
Some questions I have:
1. Was the setting aside of time (eg 12-6) that i will fast correct? Is it right to eat just before that, say 11.45am?
2. If we have lessons for most of the afternoon, how is there time to meditate, focus on God etc?
3. In my case this afternoon, was I to do an ETWG for the whole 6 hours?
Perhaps if you guys have some advice, I'd appreciate it. Feeling guilty now. Guilt aside, I plan to do it again, probably tomorrow afternoon or next week after new year. Please pray for me? Even in the absence of knowing how to do it properly, that I will still do it in the way that best makes my Father happy.
I will share again when I have done it the right way, the God-glorifying way. :)
Regards,
Yin Ting
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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2 comments:
Hi YT,
These are just my thoughts ... but I dare not say they are Biblical injunctions as such:
1. I think it is fair to set aside a period of time to fast. Eating just before or after that would not violate the fast. Remember though that practically, an extra heavy meal would not be helpful to your body.
2. If you had to eat early anyway because you have classes in the afternoon, and consequently there would be minimal time for prayer and seeking God despite "fasting" at your usual meal time, I would simply say practically speaking, it would an inappropriate time to choose to fast, especially if it were effectively a 1-meal fast. If it were an extended fast lasting several days, the converse is true, that it would be impractical to not continue in life's usual routines during that period. For example, someone doing a 3-day fast may continue studies and work but simply retire to a quiet place to pray during the usual meal times. A supernatural fast (eg 40 days), I may recommend taking leave or doing this during vacation time.
3. You don't HAVE TO spend all 6 hours in prayer or meditation. If you can, GO AHEAD! But I think the key is to use the time redeemed from your usual eating patterns to devote extended time to God. Thereafter, I personally find that a useful tip is to use the hunger pangs to remind me of my commitment/desire to focus on God through this period of fast. I use the hunger pangs to stay conscious of God's grace and sufficiency during the fast.
I hope this helps. As always, thanks for your very honest questions that also help me clarify my thinking around the subject.
May His presence abide with you today.
Wen-Wei
Personally my sacrifice was more of time than food or what-nots because these are earthly things that distract us from God. I think fasting is removing such distractions in a disciplined way and instead taking that time to pray/read bible/praise etc, basically being with God.
My lunch break was between 12 to 3 that day and so I was able to take 12 to 2 for my fast and then take the remaining hour to do my editing assignment as scheduled. So I didn't exactly fast 100% of my lunch break but I just decided to move away from food and people to spend time alone with God. So even if it's just an hour or so, as long as that is quality time with God, it works.
It also helped that I had something to focus on. Like I had decided what I wanted to do and that was praying for the youths. Maybe it'll help if you could think about something you would like to spend the time doing with God (e.g. praying for your family members' salvation, praying for exams, thanksgiving, lectio divina, etc). It does make it more exciting and you'll find yourself looking forward to it more. Personally it has never helped when I go for ETWG or into any fasting plan aimlessly.
These are just my personal fasting practices, not quoting from any scripture.
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