Just about everyone is waiting on God for direction in their lives, and I want you to know that fasting might be a way for you to hear God clearer than you ever have before.

Fasting can act like a re-set button to your spiritual walk.  When you don’t feel like reading your bible, you suddenly do.  Worship, and praying becomes easier.  Hearing from God becomes clearer, and more frequent.

My husband and I have been practicing fasting for several years, and still feel we have a LOT to learn on the subject.

If you ever wanted to try fasting, you should seriously consider it.  I have tried to put together some of the best tips from around the net which can get you started on practicing fasting.  I think you will find like me, that you will grow in your fasts, as there is always room to grow and learn, as every one of us need to hear from God.   We all need to draw closer to Him.  Fasting shouldn’t be a one time thing, but a lifestyle.

Fasting Just So Happens To Be Great For Your Health

CBN.com reported on a doctor who prays with his patients, but also suggests that fasting from food can be a way to maintain excellent health.

Dr. Chauncey W. Crandall IV, who is a doctor at the Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach, Florida, made headlines when his faith prompted him to pray for a man who collapsed from a massive heart attack, and 40 minutes later was declared dead.

“Before I crossed its threshold, however, I sensed God was telling me to turn around and pray for that dead patient.”

Crandall learned to listen to God even if he was embarrassed. “Father God,” he said, under his breath, “I cry out for this man’s soul. If he does not know you as his Lord and Savior, raise him from the dead now, in Jesus’ name.”

With that prayer he gave the one more shock from the defibrillator, and the patient came back to life, and remains alive and well today.

A Couple Facts That Will Put Away The Fears Of Missing A Meal:

Put Away The Fear That Your Body Is Going To Eat Healthy Tissue “During a fast, Dr. Crandall says the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. Starvation only occurs when the body is forced to use vital tissue to survive. A person fasting for 40 days on water will not suffer a deficiency of protein, vitamins, minerals or fatty acids. When the unhealthy cells break down, all essential substances are used and conserved. Get rid of that fear that fasting will eat muscle fibers.

A Person Can Live 50-70 Days Without Food – There are a lot of fears of fasting, but actually during long fasts, healthy cells may reduce in size or strength but remain perfectly sound. A well-nourished man can live from 50 to 75 days without food, provided he is not exposed to harsh elements. Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound. Ten pounds of fat are equal to 35,000 calories.

“Most of us have sufficient reserves, capable of sustaining us for many weeks,” Dr. Crandall says.

The body has several ways of eliminating toxins such as the lungs, the liver, kidneys and the colon. However overtime, these organs (food garburators) become overloaded and stressed, and when they are filled to the max, they use alternative methods to get rid of the waste. The body then uses boils, mucous, discharge, sweat, vomiting and diarrhea to expel the waste. Toxins are also pushed into fat storage. When this happens, a person may find their joints become sore, vessels become clogged, muscles are sore and other organs compensate but also find themselves bursting at the seams.

Fasting is a way for the body to eat up all those unwanted fat, and toxic deposits quickly and effectively.

Let me ask you this… how else would you get rid of the toxins that are stored in your tissues?

Fasting Can Be A Rapid Way For The Body To Reverse Bad Health-The body is built in such a way that the “information” that God has designed in our bodies tells itself what to conservative when food is no longer being taken in. During a fast, the metabolism is accelerated and tissue and bone healing proceeds at a maximum rate.

Fasting Can Be Tough For The First Three Days, But After That Point, The Best Healing Takes Place- During the few days of a fast are actually the most difficult.  A large quantity of waste passes through the blood stream, but after the  third day of the fast, there is a little desire for food. Then as the fast continues, the cleansing process becomes more thorough, and the last stage of the process cleans toxins which have been accumulating in your cell tissue from birth, and the microscopic elements which carry vital elements to the brain.

“To overcome a severe disease like cancer, Dr. Crandall says it is important to continue through a series of fasts to the point where the full scouring action of catabolism removes the disease from the tissue.

Would you say you are dependent on caffeine or sugar to get going or stay alert throughout the day? If this is the case, you may be overeating for your metabolism. It takes the body about 1/3 of your energy to digest food. Any food left over, often goes into fat deposits. What people don’t realize is that unprocessed food leaves toxic residues, causing a lot of internal wear and tear over time.

When you fast, digestion stops and your body basically “switches modes” from digestion mode to house cleaning mode; redirecting energy to where it is needed most. Imagine worker cells in your body saying “Well, no food to process today, let’s see what needs repair around here.” That’s essentially what happens. Instead of focusing energy on digestion, your body begins repairing damaged organs and tissues; breaking down and eliminate toxic deposits; and “resetting” internal processes that are functioning poorly like your metabolism, adrenals, hormones, brain chemistry, etc– Chris Beat Cancer

Fasting Can Make You Think Clearer – One of the benefits of fasting is the sharp mental ability that results from a fast. Large amounts of blood and energy has to be sent to digestive organs to digest a meal. The mental awareness usually doesn’t happen until after the first couple days because the body is busy cleaning out toxins.

Fasting Eats Up Bad Cells And Leaves The Healthy Ones Alone – During a fast, the body undergoes a rebuilding process of damaged cells.  Fasting basically eats up diseased cells and leaves healthy tissue.

Fasting has also been shown to “starve” cancer cells while simultaneously protecting cells from chemotherapy toxicity.– here

Fast 2 Days A Week For Great Results:

See more tips from Dr. Michael Mosley at fitness.mercola.com

Fasting Radically Reduces Cancer Cells- Dr. Colin Champ is a radiation oncologist, whose research involves studying ways to make radiation therapy work better to kill cancer cells with fewer side effects. Fasting has been discussed in the recent study entitled Fasting Enhances the Response of Glioma to Chemo- and Radiotherapy. In their study, Safdie and Brandhorst tested the effects of “starving” both cancer cells and normal cells without food for 48 hours. What they found was fasting resulted in significant killing of the cancer cells. See here

“An interesting twist to their findings is the fact that while fasting may sensitize the bad guys to treatment, it appears to spare our good cells from much of the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Other words, when they decreased the amount of available sugar available to cancer cells, cell death significantly occurred in these cells with no change in the normal cells exposed to chemotherapy. The fasted mice also experienced delayed tumor progression and lived significantly longer. Not a bad result from simply removing food for a couple days”

How Does Dr Colin Champ Fit In His Fasts?

“Every time I try an extended fast during a work day I end up running ragged. Though, I am still able to fast from dinner until the following lunch (14-16 hours) during my research days when I see fewer patients. In my opinion, the easiest and favorite time to fast is on the weekends. Most Saturdays and Sundays I do not eat until lunch starting at the dinner before. I do drink a cup of coffee in the morning and usually follow this with some sort of physical activity, or if it is 12 degrees in January in Pittsburgh, I walk on the treadmill while reading a book or listening to a podcast. These types of fasts are quite easy and enjoyable, and leave me with a great feeling of accomplishment on the weekends”

Research Shows Fasting Can Protect Against Immune System Damage- In the June 5 2014 issue of Cell Stem Cell by researchers from the University of Southern California concluded that fasting shifts stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal. Here

Fasting Reduces Brain Disease – Researchers at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore have found evidence that fasting for one or two days a week can prevent the effects of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease.

Chris Beat Cancer Suggests Fasting For 4-7 days

“Some folks go for several weeks, even as long as 90 days. This may sound funny but it’s true. The fatter you are, the longer you can go without food. Fat is the way your body stores energy, which is how our ancestors survived when food was scarce.I have a high metabolism and very low body fat so I can’t fast for more than 7-10 days”

Fasting For Biblical Breakthrough

The Scriptures Say Fasting Is Biblical – Jesus fasted and prayed, the disciples fasted and prayed after the resurrection. Many of the Old Testament believers fasted and prayed along with the followers of John the Baptist. We should be fasting and praying if we are practicing believers of the bible. Biblical fasting is going without food, not just “television“. Biblical fasting is also linked with serious seasons of prayer. Fasting and prayer coupled together can produce incredible spiritual breakthrough.

How To Get Great Results:

First, determine how long you are fasting for. Most people have to work, so weekend or fasting on your days off are ideal. If you get off Saturday or Sunday, start your fast at lunch on Friday and go through to Sunday evening.

The best foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Sin will hinder your prayers. Here are a couple tips to keep in mind:

Be Quiet, And Sit There- Pray For God To Reveal Your Sins And Write Them Down: When the Holy Spirit reveals them to you, write them down. When the Holy Spirit reveals them, acknowledge them, and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9)

Forgive Those Who Offended You, And Ask Forgiveness From Them As Well– If you are constantly thinking of an event in your mind over and over again, or thinking of a person on a consistent basis in a judgemental way, then maybe you have some forgiving to do. If there are some severe emotional hurts that have taken place, forgive them, and ask God to do the rest of the healing. The first step is to vocalize your forgiveness.

Forgiving Yourself Can Be Another Barrier To Seeing Breakthrough- Laying in bed, at the start of one of my fasts I believe the Lord had me go through a series of steps to forgive myself. I never knew I harbored resentment towards myself. I used my name as I prayed out loud every embarrassing memory, and sins I have felt that I was ashamed of. Micah 7:19 tells us that when God forgives us, He throws the memory of those sins into the sea. Who remembers them? Us!, Not God. I believe the Holy Spirit had me walk through these forgiveness prayers by using my name “Meranda, I forgive you for XXX” Hearing my name was a different experience, and through that, I was able to totally release myself from the bondage I placed myself in.

Expect Results- Go In With A Faith-Filled Heart– Begin your time of fasting and prayer with expectations that you WILL break through that obstacle (Hebrews 11:6). If you expect something to come to pass, that can be  considered to be faithful, or FAITH-filled. Be willing to fight for your break though. Go in with a heart full of expectation in your prayers.

Every man presseth into it, says Luke 16:16. What does that mean? They had the passion and drive to grab a hold of all heaven had to offer.

Do Not Underestimate Spiritual Opposition- There is a war that rages behind the scene when you enter into these things. Don’t be blinded by it, but when nasty things come up in your mind, remember you have the power to cast these things down and put them under your feet. Fasting can make terrific headway for something you are praying for, and only the ones who “press” on can be victorious.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)

Every kind of war is violent, and there is no exception to a battle like this. Determination and fight will allow you to win your battles. We wrestle not physically with our fellow humans, but spiritually with the powers of darkness. The apostle wrote:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

When you are entering into a fast, you are also entering into a spiritual battle. Are YOU resisting every dart the enemy is throwing for you? Are you praying for these enemies to get off your property, or are you allowing them to linger around.

“In Yeshua’s name, I cast out any power of darkness in my home, and command it to leave. I ask Lord to put a hedge of protection around my home”

I pray these prayers every night before I go to bed, and any time for that matter I feel like I am being attacked.

Meditate On God And His Power For The Breakthrough -How many of us know that we don’t focus on our thoughts on the enemy who has limited capabilities, or on ourselves, but on the KING of the Universe who governs and sets the rules? His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, are what we need to be reminding ourselves of (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13). Meditate on Him, PRAISE Him and He will show up.

Interact With God- Would we really go over to a friends house, sit there at the table, and say nothing? I suppose that would apply to our relationship with God. We picture Him in heaven, and not here with us. We need to view it differently. He exists inside us, so why not have a conversation with Him? Ask Him how to get over what you are struggling with. Ask Him, and remain quiet. Give Him the chance to answer. Sometimes He will answer by putting pictures in your mind, other times He answers with a still quiet voice, and sometimes He answers by giving you a dream. If you are wanting an answer, open your bible. I was woken up at 3 am for several days, and a friend of mine said he was experiencing the same thing. The difference was, he went into his word, and found the reason by Gods word. I didn’t, and learned for the next time, to open my bible. Ask, Listen then Wait.

When you fast, you will find yourself being humbled. Fasting and prayer will lead to an increase in the time you pray.  He might lead you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin; you will experience more interaction from God.

“The best part of it though, is that my relationship with God deepened and since that fast, I have had a better relationship with Him. That fast was a turning point in my spiritual life. I’m writing this now because I’m on day 6 of a juice fast. This time has been like the first. I tried it two other times, but did it with the wrong motivation. It makes all the difference to get spiritually and mentally prepared before you start a fast.” Keith Boswell freedomyou.com

Nicole Horton Says: “ Fasting is good for breaking strongholds and yokes…. For big stuff fasting may be required for longer periods of time or over time…. But don’t get discouraged… Every little step helps”

“ I definitely hear God’s voice more when fasting” Lindsay Figura Piper

Join A Facebook Fasting Group

Experience God’s Power Through Fasting – Facebook

Humble Yourself Before YHWH with Fasting– Facebook

Search What Others Are Saying About Fasting On Facebook

Great Fasting Advice

• Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast
• Avoid television, it sidetracks you of your fasting purposes.
• Avoid chewing gum or mints, they stimulate digestive action in your stomach making you feel more hungry.
• In cold weather, enjoy a warm vegetable broth instead of cold juices
• Limit your activity, rest as much as you can.
• Prepare yourself to experience being irritated and cranky.
• Expect some hunger pains, dizziness, or the “blahs.”
• Don’t quit coffee cold turkey during your first couple of fasts.  Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause bad headaches. Reduce your intake, than quitting cold turkey if you are a heavy coffee drinker.
• Know that every fast will be different.  Some will be easier than others.
• Begin eating gradually after your fast ends. Eating solid foods right away may have dangerous consequences. Start with a salad, soup or cooked veggies “

Big Disclaimer: Please do not attempt a multi-day fast without first researching it in depth. If you take medications, you doctor needs to know what you’re doing.

Don Colbert published a book called Fasting Made Easy.  Here are some tips from his book.

When You Should Not Fast- Do not fast if you are pregnant or nursing.  Don’t even consider fasting if you are malnourished, have cancer, aids or have severe anemia. Do not fast before surgery as your healing process may be put in jeopardy.  Do not fast if you are suffering from heart failure.  Do not fast if you have mental illness such as schizophrenia, or bio-polar or anxiety.  Do not fast if you are a Type 1 diabetic, or have severe liver or kidney disease.  Do not fast if you are on medication.  Contact your doctor before fasting if you are on any meds.

Water Fasting Isn’t That Much More Beneficial Than Juicing, So Go With Juicing– “The next strictest form of fasting is to eat no foods and drink no liquids except for water for a period of time. I do not usually recommend this type of fasting, either.The only exception would be for certain autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis or severe atherosclerosis, which usually respond very favorably to a short, water-only fast”

Juice Fasting Can Get The Same Results As Water Fasting -“Juice fasting can be even more beneficial because of its detoxification support, its effect of restoring the body’s alkaline level, and the support it gives to the liver. Juice fasting is also far less strenuous, usually not causing the typical weakness or hunger of a water-only fast; a person can actually experience tremendous new levels of energy during a juice fast. While water-only fasting can reduce inflammation in the body and actually cause the hardened arterial plaque of severe coronary disease to regress or melt away, juice fasting can produce a similar effect over a more extended period of time”

Don Colbert Reviews Typical Responses To Fasting:

• Lightheadedness. If lightheadedness does occur, lie down for a few minutes, and elevate your feet on some pillows.
• Cold hands and feet. Use an extra blanket at night and wear extra clothing for warmth.
• Changes in energy. While some people become fatigued during a fast, others actually feel more energetic. Either extreme should not alarm you. You may initially feel fatigued but gain new energy levels as your body begins to detoxify.
• A change in sleep habits. Your body may not require as much sleep as you are accustomed to requiring. Do not let this phenomenon alarm you.
• A coated tongue, This coating of the tongue signals a detoxification of your body.
• A problem with constipation. Especially during longer fasts, constipation can become a problem. To help prevent this problem, 1 recommend juicing pitted prunes or pitted plums along with apples.  If you still cannot have a bowel movement, strongly recommend using an enema at least once a day. Simply fill an enema bag with one pint to one quart of lukewarm water. Then follow the instructions on the enema box. After insertion, it is best to first lie on your back for a minute, then on your right side, then on the stomach, and finally on your left side. Gently massaging the stomach is helpful.
• Darker than normal urine. This indicates one of two things: either you are shedding large quantities of toxins through the urine, or you are not consuming adequate liquids. In either case, you need to increase your fluid intake.

Don Colbert’s Master Cleanse Recipe published a book called Fasting Made Easy. 

Stephen Brooks On Fasting & Prayer

If you are looking for more of book focused on faith experiences, consider getting this book.  Stephen shares his experiences with fasting, and how they opened him up to a passionate, personal relationship with God. 

Facebook Comments And Advice:

EASE Into Your First Fast Or Do A Number Of Small Ones Before Taking On A Long One (Facebook comment)“You should never do a fast that long cold turkey, ………………. Fasts need to be eased into or too many toxins will come out with no exit point (elimination organs being blocked) and it’s too big a shock for the system. …..Please become properly informed before deciding to go on a fast, do it properly” Lorianne Mariais

Water Fasts Should Only Be At Most 3 Days Long “Most recommend water fasts by experts are between 24hrs to 3 days” –Jimbob Coope

Consider A Juice Fast Over The 3 Day Mark “3 days is the amount of days recommended to eliminate all the food, before the body actually starts to detoxify. Making a 3 day fast is useless, because it is the period you suffer the most, having not been into ketosis yet” Elodie Carrel

“Don’t take anyone’s word on fasting. Research fasting yourself.” Jimbob Cooper

Rolando A. Zevallos comments on his water fast– “The process wasn’t easy. Day 1 was tough, Day 2 I was VERY short tempered, tense muscles in neck jaw, and head. Day 3 I vomited bile early in the morning, but the rest of the day I was cruising, as if I didn’t need food. Day 4 was fine until about 5pm. That’s when I had my first bite of food… and it was GLORIOUS!!!“

The Dangers Of “Just Water” Fasts – “If you’re considering forgoing food to try to lose weight or “cleanse” your body, be warned: You’re likely to do more harm than good by living on water alone. Fasting does not lead to lasting weight loss, and it can come with numerous unpleasant side effects. What’s more, evidence does not show water fasting or other cleansing methods to rid the body of toxins,” livestrong.com

“ In August September, we had access to tons of Concord grapes and did a 3 week – black grapes and fresh grape juice only cleanse.” Jenny Eshed

“ I’ve been doing this monthly for 3 years…people wonder why I’m never sick & look like I’m 20 lol. It’s that plus good diet” Melisah Bordes…She comments on what she does… (Raw juices, as water only means the body will release toxins that much faster and could make you very sick)