The JuiceArtist

TYPES OF SPIRITUAL FASTS

 

 

 WATER FAST 

 

The consumption of ONLY WATER for a set period of time. Shoot for 100 ounces a day. No food or liquids of any kind, other than water may be consumed. No vitamin waters, Smart waters, Gatorade, etc. The healthiest water to buy at a store if needed are Fiji water or water that is alkaline. Brands such as Dasani (produced by Coca Cola), and other bottled waters often contain flouride and other additives not condusive to healthy purification. Ideally, one would only drink purified water at home from a reverse osmosis or Kangen system. Occasional organic herbal teas and squeezes of organic lemon may be consumed when energy is low or digestion has slowed. I prefer the organic Smooth Move tea by Traditional Medicinals. Be sure to lick a small amount (a pinch) of pink Himilayian sea salt each day to keep your electrolytes in check and to ensure absorbtion of the excess water you will be drinking. Lack of proper salt unbalances the homeostatis of mineral absorbtion. This will also help to subside any headaches from detoxification or from abstaining from caffeine. 

 

 

JUICE FAST

 

The consumption of only liquids, consisting of juiced, organic vegetables, herbs, spices, fruits and water, for a set period of time. Fresh, organic juices are a supplement to the 100 ounces of water you drink every single day! 100% completely vegan with no juiced grains, nuts, seeds or dairy. Coconut water is acceptable if it is organic and fresh. NO juices that are processed or from a can. Fresh juices made daily from HEB or juice shops are suggested if cannot be made at home, however without your own juicer this may become expensive if fasting for more than a few days. Limit amounts of pure grapefruit and orange juices, as they are very acidic and may upset the stomach. Unlimited amounts of organic herbal teas are acceptable, as well as squeezes of organic lemon. Be sure to lick a small amount ( a pinch) of pink Himilayian sea salt each day to keep your electrolytes in check and to ensure absorbtion of water. Lack of proper salt unbalances the homeostatis of mineral absorbtion. This will also subside any headaches from detoxification or from abstaining from caffeine. 

 

INTERMITTENT FAST  

 

The habitual consumption of food or drink only within a specific window of time of the day or night. It can also be the conscious decision to skip certain meals each day / week. For example: Only eating food between the hours of noon and 9 PM, or fasting every Thursday and Sunday.  This practice is becoming increasingly common in health circles, and historically is prevelent in Islam during Ramadan and Christianity during Lent. Christians historically have set aside Wednesdays and Fridays as fasting days, however this practice has fallen out of favor within the last hundred years or so. Look under the Jewish Fasting References for the extensive descriptions of Jewish practices. Intermittent fasting is an excellent way to ensure the discipline of fasting into one's life and by dedicating time each day / week, it sustains us and focuses us to reflect on our human frailty.

 

So a water, juice and intermittent fasts are the basics of what people usually choose to follow on their fast. However, there are numerous guidelines or types of structured fasts following references from Scripture. So one may do a water fast and an Cornelius fast together, or a juice fast in their Paul fast. Personally, I rarely ever do a pure water fast because keeping the body nutritionally sound and reducing any metabolic damage are essential, while not effecting the spiritual nature of the fast. In other words, one will go through all the struggles and growing edges of spiritual bondage / deliverance even though they choose to drink a green juice several times a day. Use the precaution that those who embark on strict water fasts are usually very experienced in this discipline. Often one can chose a strict water fast intermittently, hence breaking up the time.

 

CORNELIUS FAST

(Acts 10 - Acts 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The references to Cornelius' fast are nuanced. However, upon a depth of study, this is what I have interpreted it to mean. Cornelius' fast is a complete one day fast from 3 pm to 3pm the next day.  Scripture states that he fasted "about the 9th hour" (Acts 10:3). The Hebrews had three times of the day in which they dedicated to prayer which were the first hour, the second hour and the third hour.  The second hour of prayer is held at the 9th hour of the day in Jewish time. It is the 9th hour from sunrise (6 AM), making it 3 pm. The Hebrew word is Minchah, meaning gift-offering, also known as the hour of confession.  

 

The Roman time started from 12 midnight, not sunrise, making the Roman 9th hour, 9 AM.  Cornelius was the Centurian for the Italian regiment and he was an uncircumcized Gentile. He was recognized and honored by God, "He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" (Acts 10:2). For the writer of Acts to make the connection to the 9th hour of Hebrew time,  the hour dedicated to gift-offerings for a Gentile military officer shows the depth of his servitude. 

There are no references to what he ate or drank. Often people interpret his fast as four days, however at the complete of the first full day of fasting, he was visited by a angel / had a vision. The second day Cornelius' messangers went to Joppa to contact Simon-Peter. The third day, Peter began his journey to Caesarea. The fourth day he arrived at the home of Cornelius, the Centurion. When Cornelius begins talking with Simon-Peter, he says, "Four days ago I was fasting..." (Acts 10:30). Joppa is about 30 miles south of Caesarea. There is no reference to the Centurion continuing to fast after he is visited by the angel. 

 

 

Descriptions of these Fasts coming soon!

 

PAUL FAST

 

 

 

ESTHER FAST

 

 

 

EZRA FAST

 

 

 

DANIEL FAST

 

 

 

DISCIPLES FAST

 

 

CORPORATE / GROUP FAST

 

 

OPEN-ENDED FAST