helpful hints for fasting brenda smith helpful hints for fasting

							              Helpful Hints for Fasting                                            Helpful Hints for Fasting
I wanted to write a little note for those who are endeavoring to     I wanted to write a little note for those who are endeavoring to
fast & pray - for strengthening the spirit & spending precious       fast & pray - for strengthening the spirit & spending precious
time with the Lord.                                                  time with the Lord.
                                            Brenda Smith                                                        Brenda Smith
During some teaching we received a few years ago, it was             During some teaching we received a few years ago, it was
mentioned to use boiled water & orange juice during a fast.          mentioned to use boiled water & orange juice during a fast. I’ve
I’ve found this extremely helpful. Boil your water, put in your      found this extremely helpful. Boil your water, put in your
favorite cup or thermos & let it cool just a little, then add        favorite cup or thermos & let it cool just a little, then add
regular orange juice. Not too much, maybe a teaspoon for 1 cup       regular orange juice. Not too much, maybe a teaspoon for 1 cup
water. (orange juice goes a bit sour if you put in boiling water     water. (orange juice goes a bit sour if you put in boiling water
too soon.)                                                           too soon.)

A juice fast also can be just fine. When fasting, we do need to      A juice fast also can be just fine. When fasting, we do need to
keep lots of liquid in our system. The little boxed juices are       keep lots of liquid in our system. The little boxed juices are
great - ones WITHOUT sugar !                                         great - ones WITHOUT sugar !

We need to do what works well for our situation. Fasting one         We need to do what works well for our situation. Fasting one
meal is just fine but still drink lots of water. The Bible says      meal is just fine but still drink lots of water. The Bible says
we’re to put oil on our head and wash our faces.                     we’re to put oil on our head and wash our faces.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for         “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for
they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell      they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell
you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when     you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when
you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will   you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it
not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your         will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your
Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done        Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done
in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18                         in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18
                                                                    In the back of one of Amy Carmichael’s books “ Learning of
In the back of one of Amy Carmichael’s books “ Learning of          God” she has a list of helpful things for fasting. The third item
God” she has a list of helpful things for fasting. The third item   on the list caught my attention:
on the list caught my attention:
                                                                    3. Don’t feel it necessary to pray all the time; listen. Solomon
3. Don’t feel it necessary to pray all the time; listen. Solomon    asked for a hearing heart. It may be that the Lord wants to
asked for a hearing heart. It may be that the Lord wants to         search the ground of your heart, not the top layer, but the
search the ground of your heart, not the top layer, but the         ground. Give Him time to do this. And read the Words of Life.
ground. Give Him time to do this. And read the Words of Life.       Let them enter into you.
Let them enter into you.
                                                                    Regarding the enemy’s onslaught against us. She suggests
Regarding the enemy’s onslaught against us. She suggests            quoting scripture, “…or sing, for the devil detests song.
quoting scripture, “…or sing, for the devil detests song.           ‘Singing …in your heart’ , ‘singing … to the Lord’ - either or
‘Singing …in your heart’ , ‘singing … to the Lord’ - either or      both are too much for him.”
both are too much for him.”

                                                                    May the Spirit lead you as you spend time with Him.
May the Spirit lead you as you spend time with Him.                 “ … a setting of the will God ward is never a vain thing.”
“ … a setting of the will God ward is never a vain thing.”