Friday, May 9, 2014

Fast Days

For the Amish certain holidays are observed by fasting. In the community I grew up in January 6th was the first day of fasting in the new year. We'd sleep in, and after getting up everything was somber, no singing, laughing, or anything fun. We were expected to sit and silently read prayers in our little black prayer book, or the rules of a Godly life.

At noon Mom and I would make breakfast, while Daddy read a few chapters from the Bible to everyone. Afternoons were much more fun, we could read for pleasure, play games, and anything else we would do on an in between Sunday.

Good Friday was the next fast day, followed by Ascension Day, and Whit Monday.

Twice a year the Sunday before communion was designated as a day of fasting in preparation to be considered worthy of partaking. A sort of cleansing any sin from your life.

Occasionally when the church hopes to intercede for someone that is struggling with something in their life they will ask for a day of fasting in hopes God will have mercy and change that person's heart and life.

9 comments:

  1. Fasting of course ........ I believe fasting to be good for many reasons, for short amount of times, for different reasons ....... I know of friends that do this quite frequently when praying and searching for an unanswered prayer, and have wonderful, BLESSED results from doing so ......... I have to admit tho, I've never done this. Something to consider I'm thinking. Have a blessed day, and a happy Mothers day to you xo

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    1. I too think it can be a good thing. If your heart isn't in it, I don't think it does any good though.

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  2. does that mean fasting all day or only in the morning? even for little children? just curious. again, I love reading your posts every day. it's wonderful to learn how other people live, and you always write so beautifully. thanks!

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    1. The fast ended at noon, and only members of the church participated.

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    2. As children we ate, but were still expected to treat that time as extra holy and not for our own pleasure.

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  3. forgot to wish you a blessed Mother's Day! :)

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    1. Thank-you! Hope you have a very happy Mother's Day as well!

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  4. We have Communion every week (we must get into more trouble than you do!) and I never eat beforehand. But don't get in my way when it comes to coffee hour afterward!

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  5. The best churches we have been in (we moved around a bit for a few years) would have random days of fasting for specific reasons and never as a ritual - we didn't include the children and it was always stressed that it was voluntary; we weren't to talk about it amongst ourselves since it was a time between the Lord and our own hearts; and it was ALWAYS accompanied by prayer. It would last all day, but when I was pregnant with my 3rd child, our pastor without any prompting from me, came to us and suggested if I chose to participate, that it be a "fast fast" :-) and I was to eat my dinner! I agree that fasting for the sake of fasting does no good.

    Thanks for all your good posts!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.