Sunday was Pentecost Sunday (if you don't know what that is Read Acts 2). We started our fast Sunday after morning church and go through the week then take communion next Sunday. So many people ask me about fasting because they don't understand it. We don't actually fast from all food for a whole week. Sunday-Wednesday we remove all caffeine and carbonation drinks from our diet. On Wednesday we add no sugar on top of that. Friday night we fast from everything except water and air. Sunday afternoon we break our fast and take communion Sunday night at church. So, no we aren't actually starving all week or anything like that! The reasons we fast are to humble ourselves to God, for remission of our sins (as we are to be pure when we take communion), to help us pray (it's amazing when you are making your flesh submit how much more you pray). Now onto kids. So many people think I deprive my children of food Friday-Sunday, that isn't actually the case. With Mikayla & Shaun (7&5) they chose something that is very important to them to abstain from (this time they chose all electronics Fri-Sun), they do however fast with the no sugar/soda/caffeine though, which isn't a bad thing for them anyway since they already bounce off the walls. The little kiddos have no concept what they are doing and don't understand so while they don't get sugar they have no idea why and don't seem to complain too much. Now before you get your panties in a twist about me forcing my kids to fast let's get something straight. I have heard "your kids need to decide for themselves if they are going to fast" I don't agree with that, if it was up to most people they wouldn't fast (no caffeine? ugh I hate that part it is the only thing that seems to keep me going) so I can't expect my kids to just chose to fast. I have to teach them and train them up in the way of God and by telling them this is fast week and this is why we do it (which they have understood for a while) that is me training them up in the way they should go in God.
Some more reading for you if you have more questions---
Unger's Bible Dictionary explains that the word fast in the Bible is from the Hebrew word sum, meaning "to cover" the mouth, or from the Greek word nesteuo , meaning "to abstain." For spiritual purposes, it means to go without eating and drinking (Esther:4:16).
King David wrote that he "humbled [him]self with fasting" (Psalm:35:13).
The Bible records that great men of faith such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul and Jesus Himself fasted so that they might draw closer to God (Exodus:34:28; 1 Kings:19:8;Daniel:9:3; Daniel:10:2-3
; 2 Corinthians:11:27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.; Matthew:4:2). Jesus knew that His true disciples, once He was no longer there in the flesh with them, at times would need to fast to regain and renew their zeal to serve Him (Mark:2:18-20
).
Some more reading for you if you have more questions---
Unger's Bible Dictionary explains that the word fast in the Bible is from the Hebrew word sum, meaning "to cover" the mouth, or from the Greek word nesteuo , meaning "to abstain." For spiritual purposes, it means to go without eating and drinking (Esther:4:16).
King David wrote that he "humbled [him]self with fasting" (Psalm:35:13).
The Bible records that great men of faith such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul and Jesus Himself fasted so that they might draw closer to God (Exodus:34:28; 1 Kings:19:8;Daniel:9:3; Daniel:10:2-3
; 2 Corinthians:11:27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.; Matthew:4:2). Jesus knew that His true disciples, once He was no longer there in the flesh with them, at times would need to fast to regain and renew their zeal to serve Him (Mark:2:18-20
).
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