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Angie_Rivas1
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| Location: | Downey, USA |
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| First Name: | Angie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 01:48 pm |
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A couple of friends and I would like to start fasting. I've only done it during Lent (Ash Wednesday). Is it fasting like a prayer? I've heard some people do it for different reasons. What does the bible say about it?
Blessings,
Angie
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"Be not afraid" JPII
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 04:06 pm |
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Is fasting like a prayer?
If you do it for God, it is like a prayer. If you do it to lose weight, it is just a weight loss scheme. Intent is everything.
The bible refers to fasting as useful for prayer, ascetic practice, mourning and expiation of sin. On one occasion, Jesus tells the crowd that certain demons can only be driven out by fasting and prayer. Jesus also spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying in preparation for his ministry, showing the ascetic usefulness of fasting. Again, Jesus replies to those who criticized his disciples that they were not fasting like John the Baptist’s disciples were accustomed to do that while the bridegroom (the Messiah) was with them, they could not fast, but on the day that the bridegroom was taken away from them (his passion and death, resurrection and ascension into heaven), they would indeed fast.
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 06:38 pm |
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It is also possible to fast from things other than food. This is what we do during Lent when we "give up" something we like for the season.
A teen might fast from cokes or french fries, or a smoker might give up cigarettes. I know people who fast from beer or chocolate, or just about anything else. Some people fast from television or go to the way of the cross instead of bowling.
Some people with health problems are unable to fast in the traditional sense, so I wanted to mention alternatives that can still be considered fasting for spiritual improvement, although fasting from bowling won't help you lose weight!
Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal. (Taken from American Catholic.)
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Angie_Rivas1
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 11th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Angie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 08:37 pm |
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Thanks David and Rick. This explanation is exactly what I needed. We wanted to fast and offer it to the Lord, but were not sure how to go about it. We also wanted to have a purpose/intention/petition every time we make this sacrifice.
David, you really made me laugh this time... it has nothing to do with losing weight! I almost dropped to 100 pounds after going through my journey. I can't afford to lose any more weight.
Blessings,
Angie
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 09:46 pm |
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I almost dropped to 100 pounds after going through my journey. I can't afford to lose any more weight.
On the other hand, I have known people to gain weight during and after a difficult time like a divorce because of compulsive eating. Truly, I was not thinking of your personal weight but the idea of fasting for reasons other than prayerful ones. This is not to say that losing weight will not help many of us Americans, who are certainly the most self-indulgent and perhaps the most obese society on the planet these days.
David
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Angie_Rivas1
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 11th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 110 |
| First Name: | Angie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Feb 1st, 2007 01:55 pm |
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David,
I hope my reply did not offend you. I always appreciate your wise advice and feedback. Perhaps, one of my statements was not clear: "I've heard some people do it for different reasons" I was not thinking about the losing weight reason. when I was writing, it did not cross my mind that some people fast to lose weight. See, one of my friends is having difficulty finding a job so I thought it would be a good idea to fast one day and offer it to the Lord. She is a single mom. I just wanted to make sure that the Lord would take it as a prayer. I needed clarification and you gave it to me.
Blessings,
Angie
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"Be not afraid" JPII
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Thu Feb 1st, 2007 04:21 pm |
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I don’t think we are misunderstanding each other. I took your original question exactly in the manner you asked it. My second post merely says that, while it may not apply to you personally, fasting to lose weight is not a bad idea, either, even though it does not fulfill the Church’s meaning of fasting.
I think Rick’s comment about fasting from things other than food is apropos, too. For instance, I do not watch television except an occasional program on EWTN, and I do not subscribe to cable TV for that, but get it off the internet. My original intent in this was to avoid the immoral programming (including commercials). It also has the effect of boycotting the medium until the industry cleans up its act, although this is very much a secondary motive, since I consider the possibility of a moral about-face very slim.
David
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