[..] A bit unrelated, but I absolutely liked this blog post [..]

[EDITED: Hey Craigslist. Thank you. I see your website is quite new and deals with people who offer fake jobs on the internet - people can report these to you and you. Good idea. I hope people do that http://www.besafeonthe.net A good mention would be these 'survey websites'. Glad you liked me post. I had a good laugh creating it.]

I uderstand fully what you mean.

As I have learned and understand, the way it is being done is not sound or biblical . Fasting is a very personal thing. These People make in a public affair for the congregation and that is what bothers me.

Blessings

YET, my question was pointed at the fact that the prophets in America (NAR, Rick W, Elijah List, etc)(then proclamated (viewed over the air) on TV programs such as TBN and others) frequently are the “leaders” in calling out fasts, prayer-days/weeks etc. and then people worldwide follow what they say because so many watch these programs and adhere to the teachings and suggested actions, so I was wondering whether this was one of those that is trying to make us equal to a herd of cattle or wild animals: the leader says this way, and all turn that way! (hope I’m using the right wording to explain what I meant…).
please understand I am NOT AGAINST fasting. but then pastors must say, it came from here or here… because it might not be “called by the LORD” for all christians everywhere for that exact time…
cecilia

Sorry for the long posts here. It should have been under a article.

I just had to answer Cecilia.Quickly, it might just clear up the matter and bring clarity to this subject.

Blessings

Thank You. Very interesting.I was not aware this is going on so wide!!!

This verse below comes to mind. Reference to fasting in the back of my Bible. I carry this verse very close to my heart. It was the closest to these happenings.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.Matthew 6:1

Also

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

“could be interesting to know if it was first called out by one of the “prophets” (in america)? anybody know?”

When one considers the detailed explanation of Matthew 6 : 16-18 it seems pretty irrelevant who have suggested this method of fasting originally.

Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary (http://biblecommenter.com/matthew/6-18.htm )

Verses 16-18

“We are here cautioned against hypocrisy in fasting, as before in almsgiving, and in prayer.

I. It is here supposed that religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, when God, in his providence, calls to it, and when the case of their own souls upon any account requires it; when the bridegroom is taken away, then shall they fast, ch. 9:15. Fasting is here put last, because it is not so much a duty for its own sake, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Prayer comes in between almsgiving and fasting, as being the life and soul of both. Christ here speaks especially of private fasts, such as particular persons prescribe to themselves, as free-will offerings, commonly used among the pious Jews; some fasted one day, some two, every week; others seldomer, as they saw cause. On those days they did not eat till sun-set, and then very sparingly. It was not the Pharisee’s fasting twice in the week, but his boasting of it, that Christ condemned, Lu. 18:12. It is a laudable practice, and we have reason to lament it, that is so generally neglected among Christians. Anna was much in fasting, Lu. 2:37. Cornelius fasted and prayed, Acts 10:30. The primitive Christians were much in it, see Acts 13:3; 14:23. Private fasting is supposed, 1 Co. 7:5. It is an act of self-denial, and mortification of the flesh, a holy revenge upon ourselves, and humiliation under the hand of God. The most grown Christians must hereby own, they are so far from having any thing to be proud of, that they are unworthy of their daily bread. It is a means to curb the flesh and the desires of it, and to make us more lively in religious exercises, as fullness of bread is apt to make us drowsy. Paul was in fastings often, and so he kept under this body, and brought it into subjection.

II. We are cautioned not to do this as the hypocrites did it, lest we lose the reward of it; and the more difficulty attends the duty, the greater loss it is to lose the reward of it.

Now, 1. The hypocrites pretended fasting, when there was nothing of that contrition or humiliation of soul in them, which is the life and soul of the duty. Theirs were mock-fasts, the show and shadow without the substance; they took on them to be more humbled than really they were, and so endeavored to put a cheat upon God, than which they could not put a greater affront upon him. The fast that God has chosen, is a day to afflict the soul, not to hang down the head like a bulrush, nor for a man to spread sackcloth and ashes under him; we are quite mistaken if we call this a fast, Isa. 58:5. Bodily exercise, if that be all, profits little, since that is not fasting to God, even to him.

2. They proclaimed their fasting, and managed it so that all who saw them might take notice that it was a fasting-day with them. Even on these days they appeared in the streets, whereas they should have been in their closets; and the affected a downcast look, a melancholy countenance, a slow and solemn pace; and perfectly disfigured themselves, that men might see how often they fasted, and might extol them as devout, mortified men. Note, It is sad that men, who have, in some measure, mastered their pleasure, which is sensual wickedness, should be ruined by their pride, which is spiritual wickedness, and no less dangerous. Here also they have their reward, that praise and applause of men which they court and covet so much; they have it, and it is their all.

III. We are directed how to manage a private fast; we must keep it in private, v. 17, 18. He does not tell us how often we must fast; circumstances vary, and wisdom is profitable therein to direct; the Spirit in the word has left that to the Spirit in the heart; but take this for a rule, whenever you undertake this duty, study therein to approve yourselves to God, and not to recommend yourselves to the good opinion of men; humility must evermore attend upon our humiliation. Christ does not direct to abate any thing of the reality of the fast; he does not say,”take a little meat, or a little drink, or a little cordial;” no, “let the body suffer, but lay aside the show and appearance of it; appear with thy ordinary countenance, guise, and dress; and while thou deniest thyself thy bodily refreshments, do it so as that it may not be taken notice of, no, not by those that are nearest to thee; look pleasant, anoint thine head and wash thy face, as thou dost on ordinary days, on purpose to conceal thy devotion; and thou shalt be no loser in the praise of it at last; for though it be not of men, it shall be of God.” Fasting is the humbling of the soul (Ps. 35:13), that is the inside of the duty; let that therefore be thy principal care, and as to the outside of it, covet not to let it be seen. If we be sincere in our solemn fasts, and humble, and trust God’s omniscience for our witness, and his goodness for our reward, we shall find, both that he did see in secret, and will reward openly. Religious fasts, if rightly kept, will shortly be recompensed with an everlasting feast. Our acceptance with God in our private fasts should make us dead, both to the applause of men (we must not do the duty in hopes of this), and to the censures of men too (we must not decline the duty for fear of them). David’s fasting was turned to his reproach, Ps. 69:10; and yet, v. 13, As for me, let them say what they will of me, my prayer is unto thee in an acceptable time.”

Blessings

Rom 14:17-18 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.”

Something else I am currently working on (which will be send to Deborah for posting) is “The 100 year lie – an expose of the “truths” of food supplements.”
Me and my wife went through a horrific 9 months because of these so called “truths” of supplementation BUT we learned oh and how we learned.

Interestingly – in the “Huisgenoot” (so I suppose it will be in the “YOU” also), of 14 Jan 2010, “Dieet vandag, eet môre”. being the same as the 2nd point on the list by Nevil.

last week when the pastor of the church which I attend, called out the 21 Day Fast, I thought it was a good thing. But then I started to read and hear it’s world-over.

could be interesting to know if it was first called out by one of the “prophets” (in america)? anybody know?
cecilia

The note:

Every year we have a time of prayer and fasting at Living Word. This year it will be from Monday, 18 January to Sunday, 7 February. During this period you fast and pray about that which you are trusting the Lord for in terms of answers, breakthroughs and problems that you face (whether finances, health or anything else).

Any form of prayer and fasting can be followed, for example:
* Only water or fruit juice for 21 days.
* Eating every second day or eating two meals per day.
* A Daniel’s fast – only vegetables, fruit and water.
* Maybe you should only fast your favourite soap opera or TV.
* Maybe you should not fast at all, but only spend more time in prayer.
Pray about this and the Holy Spirit will lead you.

There will also be prayer meetings at Living Word’s Auditorium:
* Friday evenings 22 Jan., 29 Jan. and 5 Feb. from 19:00 – 24:00.
* Saturday morning prayer meetings will continue as normal from 06:00 – 07:30.

Jesus’ love,

Nevil

I suppose this is all a trial and error process. As we go along I will amend the article with easier instructions.