How to Fast for a Religious Occasion
Prepare yourself physically., Limit your fast appropriately., Make the fast an opportunity to step-up your spirituality., Pray before, during and after your fast., Close your fast with prayer.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Prepare yourself physically.
Fasting can actually be a cleansing opportunity for the body, but you don't want to make yourself sick.
Eat a good meal prior to beginning your fast.
Don't gorge yourself, but don't go into it on nothing but a snack-size meal. -
Step 2: Limit your fast appropriately.
If there is not a specific limit already set by your religious tradition, limit the fast yourself to 12-24 hours.
Anything less is not much of a fast, and anything more could lead to serious physical problems.
Remember that your fast should be a good experience, not a dangerous one. , Set aside time to study scripture or other inspirational writings, and meditate on their meaning. , Whatever your purpose for religious fasting, it can be a great opportunity for spiritual growth when accompanied by prayer.
Pray with purpose, expressing gratitude and articulating both your needs and the needs of others.
Pause to reflect and meditate on your prayer and your fast. , If you were fasting with a specific purpose, take the opportunity again to express your purpose.
Express gratitude for the opportunity to fast, and for being able to complete it! -
Step 3: Make the fast an opportunity to step-up your spirituality.
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Step 4: Pray before
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Step 5: during and after your fast.
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Step 6: Close your fast with prayer.
Detailed Guide
Fasting can actually be a cleansing opportunity for the body, but you don't want to make yourself sick.
Eat a good meal prior to beginning your fast.
Don't gorge yourself, but don't go into it on nothing but a snack-size meal.
If there is not a specific limit already set by your religious tradition, limit the fast yourself to 12-24 hours.
Anything less is not much of a fast, and anything more could lead to serious physical problems.
Remember that your fast should be a good experience, not a dangerous one. , Set aside time to study scripture or other inspirational writings, and meditate on their meaning. , Whatever your purpose for religious fasting, it can be a great opportunity for spiritual growth when accompanied by prayer.
Pray with purpose, expressing gratitude and articulating both your needs and the needs of others.
Pause to reflect and meditate on your prayer and your fast. , If you were fasting with a specific purpose, take the opportunity again to express your purpose.
Express gratitude for the opportunity to fast, and for being able to complete it!
About the Author
Dennis Clark
Brings years of experience writing about practical skills and related subjects.
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