January 16, 2023
Intermittent Fasting
“That your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:18)
Fasting must be important to God because it is mentioned seventy times in the Bible. Through many examples of people in the Bible who fasted, we can know that God grants supernatural revelation and wisdom through this practice.
Another type of fasting you may prefer is intermittent fasting, it’s my preference of fasting. What is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where people limit their food consumption to certain hours of the day. It is fasting where you do not eat for a period of time day or week. It is becoming the fast of choice by many. Some popular approaches include 1. Alternate-day fasting. Eat a normal diet one day and either completely fast a day or have one small meal the next day.
2. 5:2 fasting. Eat a normal diet for five days and fast for two days.
3. Fast from sundown to sundown, in Israel this is how the Jewish people fast. They eat a good meal just before sundown, and they fast until the next day to sundown, and just after the sun goes down, they eat. This is my favorite type of fasting.
4. Daily time-restricted fasting. Eat normally but within an 8-hour window each day. For example: Skip breakfast but eat lunch around 12 noon and dinner by 8 PM. Some studies suggest that alternate-day fasting is about as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss. It is also known as the 16/8 method. It involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 1–9 p.m. Then you fast for 16 hours in between.
There are many benefits of intermittent fasting such as it reduces your risk of sickness and disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, improves brain health, and heart health, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar, and manages your weight. It has become a popular type of fasting for spiritual and health and fitness communities.
Over the last week, I shared with you the different types of fasts. Choose the type of fast that is right for you. Several years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, ‘I want you to live a fasted life!’ I said, ‘What is that?’ I began doing research and discovered Intermittent Fasting. I choose two days a week and fast and pray from sundown to sundown. In order for me to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for my life I must be healthy and strong. This type of fast is ideal for me but you decide which fast is right for you. God will honor your sacrifice. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
