Facts About Fasting

Most people will be able to go without food for 24 hours without any negative effects. However, it is not recommended for:

• children under the age of 12
• the elderly
• women who are pregnant or nursing
• people with specific medical conditions including diabetes, reactive hypoglycemia, other medical conditions that are associated with or could precipitate hypoglycemia, or eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)

If you have any health-related questions about fasting or are regularly under a doctor’s care for any of the above medical conditions, you are strongly advised to consult your family doctor before taking part.

What is fasting? Fasting is the act of abstaining from food. There are various types of ways to fast. The one that we suggest you use for FASTForward is a juice fast. This fast means that you go without food for 24 hours, but do drink plenty of juice to keep your body hydrated.

Fasting is a way for you to focus your thoughts, prayers and efforts as your body goes without food. This is a way to draw near to God by focussing on spiritually nourishing your body. It is also a way for you to experience what real hunger feels like, so that you can empathize with the many people around the world who are hungry.

There are many scriptural references to fasting in the Bible. The following is not a complete list but is a good place to start.

Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 9:16-17
Matthew 17:20-21
Daniel 9:3, 20
Ezra 8:21-23
Isaiah 58
Judges 20:26-28
Psalms 35:13
Mark 9:29

If you have additional questions about fasting, why not read up on it at your local library or talk to your pastor or other theologian to see what they have to say?