Questions tagged [fasting]
The practicing of refusing food in order to focus exclusively on the presence of God
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What is a Protestant understanding of Jesus' fasting in the wilderness?
According to mainline Protestantism (Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, Methodist) what is the reason why Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11):
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into ...
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Can a Catholic drink ice water before mass?
Does water with ice cubes in it count as ordinary water, or is it different enough (because ice is not the same form as water) to count as breaking the eucharistic fast?
For clarification, this ...
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How did the fasting and abstinence requirements of Lenten Ember Days differ from other days of Lent in the United States?
I read from a little book called the Manual of Catholic Devotions (by Regina Press, with an imprimatur dated 24 July 1963) that the rules for fasting and abstinence in the United States at that time ...
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Can I drink water to which trace minerals drops had been added before receiving Communion?
Before going to communion I took a sip of water, realizing afterwards that it may have been water to which drops of minerals to prevent cramping had been added the night before. It was too late to ...
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Does "fasting" bring a Christian closer to God?
First, I want to clarify that I don't like using the word "fasting" to describe this concept because it is a novel term used for people trying to lose weight, but this is the term that ...
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Did Jesus abstain from all food and drink during his 40-day fast?
To the best of my knowledge, when Jews fast they either have
a minor fast, where they don't eat or drink anything at all, not even water, from sunrise until what they traditionally consider the next ...
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What other customary Catholic fasting periods are there aside from Lent?
Lent is presently the only period of fasting binding for Latin Catholics. However, I have come across other times for fasting that bind to one degree or another at various times (some being purely ...
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Early Christian Lent Fasting Practices
What information do we have about early Lent fasting practices? I saw an interesting reference to Ramadan having grown out of Syrian Lent practices, but aside from that, I haven't found any good ...
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If God required a fast - was it from food only? [closed]
Then Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he then became hungry. Matt 4:1-2
Jesus was hungry - ...
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Do any Christian groups or denominations believe that miracle-working faith can be cultivated through prayer and fasting?
I've been putting together an answer to my own question What is an overview of conditional Biblical promises for truth seekers that can be empirically tested in their lifetime?. While doing this ...
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How common is it to fast for 40+ days among Christians?
I recently watched a testimony that reports the results of a 40-day water/juice fast (no food). The individual claims to have been addicted to drugs for 22 years, including marijuana, cocaine, ...
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Obligated fasting in Christianity
Is there any Christian denomination which obligates its believers to fast (no drink no food) as the bible mentioned and in Jewish practice? I've never heard of obligated fasting in Christianity but I ...
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What did Clement mean when he said: "Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both"?
In his second letter to the Corinthians (16:3), the anonymous church father, believed to be Clement of Rome, wrote:
"Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both".
What did he mean by that?...
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How is Lent observance reconciled with Matthew 6:16-18?
Jesus says in Matthew 6:
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their ...
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Which is a greater sin - to eat meat on Good Friday or to spoil it
I'd cooked 4 meals on Wednesday and left two for today, failing to take into account the fast. I'm not sure whether the meals will be safe to eat tomorrow. Which would be a greater sin - to eat them, ...
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When did the Early Church begin and end their twice weekly fasts?
In the Didache, it tells us
"8:2 but keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation day (Friday)."
Obviously some actually did keep these weekly fasts, when exactly did they begin and end?
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What kinds of liquids can Catholics have while fasting?
There are times of the year when Catholics are obligated to fast, such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. During that time, what kind of liquids are allowed? Water only? Juice? Smoothies? Meal ...
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Are Catholics allowed to drink coconut water during the hour before they take communion?
I know they are not allowed to consume anything but water and medicine during the hour before they take communion.
In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Roman Catholics must also observe the ...
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How do Catholics observe Lent through a dignified and appropriate use of food?
Have you considered presenting menus for those fasting days for religious people to follow? If so, what foods to eat on which fasting season and why? Display pictures if possible. Many would ...
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I am fasting for 40 days [duplicate]
I am fasting for 40 days I was wondering if I can stop fasting every Sunday and eat normal food my mom said I can but I want to be sure
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Do orthodox Christians fast on Monday to exceed the righteousness of the pharisees and scribes?
This question regards Matthew 5:20:
"For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of ...
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Are those who have a history of eating disorders excused from obligatory Roman Catholic fasts?
Say that a person has a history of eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. Are they excused from obligatory Roman Catholic fasts like those on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? I've heard of ...
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Why were Catholic fasting obligations steadily relaxed?
It seems that since the Middle Ages, the fasts prescribed by the Catholic Church were gradually but steadily reduced. Much can be read about the history of these relaxations, but little is said about ...
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What are the reasons for fasting from midnight before Eucharist?
According to traditional Catholic rules (before Vatican the 2nd Council), as well as in Eastern Orthodox traditions, those who want to receive the Sacraments should fast, i.e. do not consume any food ...
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When did the Latin Catholic Church begin to generally require fasting only one hour prior to the Eucharist?
According to Wikipedia's article on eucharistic discipline, the Latin rite of Catholicism requires only one hour of fasting before the Eucharist (cf. Canon 919 §1), but that prior to 1955, the fasting ...
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Who are the hypocrites associated with fasting in the Didache?
The early Christian teaching Didache states that Christians should not fast like the hypocrites:
Your fasts must not be identical with those of the hypocrites. They fast on Mondays and Thursdays; ...
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What are the first references to a tradition of fasting before partaking of the Lord's Supper?
I recently learned that in Roman Catholicism, it's expected that partakers of the Eucharist will fast for at least an hour. Canon 919, §1 reads:
A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist ...
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According to Roman Catholicism, is a person required to fast?
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted ...
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What are common ways for contemporary Christians to fast? [closed]
Which ingredients are being left out? (Besides meat, maybe spices? How about salt?) Are there different fasting dishes / cooking approaches in the various denominations?
user34271
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What did the early Christian twice weekly fasts consist of?
Other than what is mentioned in the Didache regarding the days for fasting, what did early Christian "twice weekly fasts" consist of? What I'd like to know more about is what they fasted from. For ...
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Which Episcopal Conferences set alternatives for abstinence on Fridays?
The canon law requires Catholics to hold every Friday (except certain solemnities) as a abstinence day (e.g. abstaining from meat), but also grants the episcopal conferences the possibility to require ...
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According to the Catholic Church, can you cook food while you're fasting?
Can you cook food while you're fasting? And eat it afterwards? I have often made dinner for others during a fast. And I have also made dinner for myself but waited until the fast was over to eat it.
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Did the Catholics or Orthodox suspend the Lenten fast during times of war?
It would make sense for an enemy nation with knowledge of the Catholic or Orthodox systems of fasting to attack during the fasting seasons, when the faithful were not well fed. As a corollary, it ...
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Is there a medical dispensation formally allowed from Lenten fasting in Catholicism?
Today, 10 February 2016, begins the observation of Lent in the Catholic Church, and indeed in much of Western Christianity. Catholic rules for the observation of Lent include the requirement for ...
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How does washing your face and anointing your head hide that you are fasting?
How does washing your face and "anointing your head" hide the fact that you are fasting?
But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; (Matthew 6:17)
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What are the reasons for the Catholic Church's law regarding the Communion fast?
We know from scripture that the institution of the Eucharist was during supper with the taking of the cup being after supper. And it appears from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians that there ...
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May Christians work while fasting? [closed]
Is there a Christians (preferably protestant) viewpoint that you may not work while fasting?
A while back I talked to a guy that told me you may not work while fasting and quoted a few verses to make ...
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What was the Original Purpose of Fasting from "Wine" and "Olive Oil" in the Orthodox Tradition?
The Orthodox are required to fast from "wine" and "olive oil" most Wednesdays and Fridays, for Lent, the Dormition of the Theotokos, the Nativity, and other fasts.
Nearly all ...
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How do Roman Catholics interpret 1 Timothy 4:3
In it's context in the NRSVCE (including section title):
False Asceticism
4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and ...
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What are the dietary restrictions for Lent in Catholicism?
There are some things that I've been told since I was kid that I'd like to ask about regarding fasting. I'm a of Catholic Maronite Rite and I'd like Catholic answers.
Are we allowed to eat whatever ...
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What do Christians do on a Fasting day besides worshipping?
While Christians fast, do they only focus on worshipping God (such as bible reading and praying)? If they involve in any other activity besides worshipping God, would fasting be inefficient? What did ...
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Do these Scripture say that prayer along with fasting is more powerful than either alone?
I am aware that Jesus placed much emphasis on both prayer and on fasting. And I am not really sure that the following Scriptures call for doing both at the same time, but it can be taken to believe ...
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When Did Catholics Cease to Fast as the Orthodox Do?
From what I understand, the Western and Eastern churches fasted identically for a long time: Wednesday and Friday, and the entirety of Lent. Is this untrue?
If not, when and why did the Catholics ...
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When were the Fasting Patterns of the Eastern Orthodox Church Established?
I am under the impression that the fasting patterns of the Orthodox church were established over the course of several centuries. I am interested in some sources that would clarify when the pattern ...
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How does fasting affect violent situations not under my control?
I read an article yesterday about Pope Francis announcing a day of fasting on Sept. 7th for the situation in Syria. According to Catholic/Orthodox/Anglican doctrine, exactly how does my fasting affect ...
user5286
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Was regular weekly fasting a widespread, formal tradition in the early Church?
In The Story of Christianity,* author Justo Gonzalez offers the following:
There were indeed times set aside for sorrow for one's sins, in particular during the two weekly days of fasting, which ...
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Why does any Archbishop get to decide if alligator is okay for Lent?
NPR ran an interesting piece about the saga of whether or not Catholics could eat alligator on Fridays during Lent. According to the story, an alligator merchant by the name of Jim Piculas advocated ...
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How long, and in what cases did Catholics participate in the Black Fast?
I ran across the term "Black Fast" and looked it up. The articles I'm finding indicate that it's extreme, and give some information about the types of foods allowed during it, but I keep expecting to ...
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Did the modern LDS idea of fast offerings have extra-Mormon roots?
[LDS] members are encouraged to fast once a month on Fast Sunday and to give the money they save by not eating two meals to the church; those who can afford to be more generous are encouraged to give ...
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How do Christians exercise self-control in the abstinence of food during fasting?
I am aware of the Lord teaching us to pray, detailing how and how not it should be done, but the only thing he said about fasting was
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad ...
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