Reading Report 3

Inner Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting in the 21st century

The Discipline of Fasting for Everyone (Not just Catholics at Lent.)

As we approach Easter and having been a Catholic in my youth, it is not uncommon for Catholics to give up certain food or food groups altogether for Lent. The modern opinion on fasting today is that it is rarely practiced but scripture emphasizes fasting as an extension of prayer and meditation, a group or community fast had power in times of deep concern. Richard Foster identifies fasting as one of the inner spiritual disciplines practiced first by Israel and then also by Christians as is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Fasting was common globally in the first century as peculiar as that may sound, but all of the major religions that existed in the first century including the Greeks whom were known to practice fasting. Today due to advanced testing and monitoring tools for doctors and research, it is now known that fasting has such benefits as:

·         Alternate-day fasting reduces triglyceride levels.

·         Alternate-day fasting results in steady weight loss.

·         After a fast of several weeks, the brain is fueled primarily by ketones.

·         Alternate-day fasting reduces LDL cholesterol.

·         Over time, fasting reduces insulin levels more effectively than calorie restriction.1

1.         Moore, 2016, pgs., 62-74

At my age and due to some troubles with my digestive system I have elected to incorporate the methods suggested by Dr. Jason Fung in his book, “The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting. These methods will be incorporated for a sensible way of fasting, that is safe yet along with prayer and meditation, will hopefully reveal the spiritual benefits of the discipline of fasting with prayer, with meditation.

            Dr. Fung details a 24 hour fasting protocol, a 36 hour fasting protocol and a 42 hour protocol, of which I will provide brief descriptions. The 24-hour fast begins: from lunch one day to lunch the next, or from dinner one day to dinner the next, three times a week. It also includes a sixteen hour daily fast (skipping breakfast and eating only within an eight-hour window on non-fasting days.1 This method seems sufficient and Fung also suggests fasting only twice a week, and for those with medical needs, one meal a day is still a qualifiable fast. Recalling this is an inner discipline, let us remember what 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 reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18, NIV).In these verses, Jesus is emphasizing the point that a fast is a spiritual and inner discipline between the man and God. For Fung’s 36 hour fast: one will fast for the entire day at least three days of the week. Unlike the twenty-four-hour fasting protocol, no meals are taken on fasting days, and on the 42 hour fast for the entire day at least three days of the week and skip breakfast every day, regardless of whether or not you are fasting.2  Fung provides

1.        Fung, 2016, pg. 2

2.        Ibid., pg. 3

recipes and great detail but borrowing slightly from his diagram partial fasting during mediation and prayer times will be ideal for engaging in fasting as a discipline.

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Breakfast	FAST 4-6am prayer and meditation	FAST 4-6am prayer and meditation	FAST 4-6am prayer and meditation	FAST 4-6am prayer	FAST 4-6am prayer	FAST 4-6am prayer	FAST 4-6am prayer
Lunch
	FAST		FAST		FAST
Dinner	6pm Supper	4pm Dinner	6pm Supper	4pm Dinner	6pm Supper	4pm Dinner	6pm supper

As a part of my existing daily meditation and prayer time, I already do not eat at those hours. I will plan to fast from coffee as well in those hours until the mealtimes, only drinking water for thirst. The health benefit for me in this is obvious, less coffee is and caffeine. Arguably, when I wake up earlier than at 4 am versus 5 or 6 am, it is not likely I will brew or drink coffee then as well. Fasting and partial fasting then will make its way into daily meditation.

Practicing the Disciplines Reading Report 3

Recap: Practicing the Disciplines Reading Report 2, February 18, 2025

This assignment requires us to choose three disciplines, one each from the three sections in Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline.1 For this assignment, we will practice these disciplines, authoring a paper every two weeks on the disciplines; three disciplines I chose were as follows:

1.         From Part 1: Meditation from The Inward Disciplines

2.         From Part 2: Simplicity from The Outward Disciplines

3.         From Part 3: Guidance from Corporate Discipline

This report then will include fasting as the emphasis on an inward discipline, while writing sections on Simplicity from The Outward Disciplines, and Guidance from the Corporate Disciplines. Briefly, I found my 14-day meditation on Psalm 119 to be quite rewarding. It will be a concept I will continue to use and develop in prayer and in humility. I do have to confess that there have been days where early rising did not happen, but usually this is not the case. Then, there are those days when I am feeling grief, a process I am still working through and if I am to grieve, I am grateful I can do it with Jesus in my life.

Simplicity: An Outward Discipline That Must Have an Inner Foundation

For all intents and purposes, one must first seek the Kingdom of God; the imperative command in the Biblical Greek is firm.

ζητεῖτε δὲ πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ

καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ,

καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν.

Which states “ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV).

Seeking The Kingdom of God in the 21st Century

Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline was originally published in 1978, technically in the late 20th century. It would be fair to say that there are many late 20th century and early 21st century pastors, church leaders, world leaders and national heroes such as athletes and celebrities that in the 21st century (most of all) place high emphasis on wealth and materiality. Practicing Simplicity with true humility is likely far more crucial to an outward discipline that will be observable by others, not as a boast but as an example one who accepts his place humbly in creation below the incomprehensible Glory of God. We as humans being created in His image are embracing His Glory for it is pure goodness and he calls us to Holiness as He is Holy. But creation itself is Holy and a reflection of God’s Glory, but truly we are incapable of knowing the full Glory of God, therefore we seek Him daily, we seek Him in the Bible, we seek Him in our academic pursuits.

Simplicity of “usefulness.” This is practicality, what works versus what clearly reflects a selfish impulse to please oneself. Albert Einstein practiced simplicity with his clothing in that he owned 7 of the same brown suit. He simply did not have time to give the thought of “fashion” or of using thought for trivial things. He also did not drive. Second, Foster  suggests relinquishing anything that produces addiction, this would and should include things that we crave impulsively. In this sense, this is addressed in the concept of fasting. But it is far more than that. Once again it is taking steps to give up sense thing that is impulsive and selfish, if it is it is likely not good for us! This is the fallen nature within all humans, we always crave something that is singularly “ours.” For me, it isn’t just coffee, it is creamer. I am particularly partial to International Delights creamer flavors such as “Almond Joy,” and “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.”

When I experienced my “Holy Ghost” experience, the Holy Spirit made the desire for many things just go away, but not the coffee. I chose to keep coffee as my “one thing.” I do love coffee. It is time to make severe changes, it is truly affecting my health. It can only be good to surrender this craving. Third, Foster suggests one develops the habit of giving things away, “De-accumulate!”1 Truly, we must “increase in Him and we must decrease-(John 3:30). This is also a work in progress in that as I have followed God’s lead into The School of Christian Thought, there is far less clutter in our lives as we have simplified everything material, living in an humble apartment in West Texas, this commitment as well the commitments to my household are made manageable by keeping things simple. I am as focused as I can physically be at this moment. I am grateful beyond the capacity of words to express joy and feel deeply honored for this opportunity and to be a student in these classes. Foster’s following suggestions ring similar to the third. The tenth is the most important of all: “Shun anything that distracts you from seeking the kingdom of God.”2 This stipulation is the summary to the chapter and this discussion on the outward discipline of Simplicity. Simply, do not let anything come between you and the Kingdom of God, stay focused!

III. Guidance: Spirit-Rule and The Spirit Director

A faith of any kind (but assuredly for Christianity) requires a faith in the spiritual, in the metaphysical. We believe in a Trinitarian God, a Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and The Holy Spirit. This emphasis is often instilled in us by way of the Apostle’s Creed, in which we declare “I believe in The Holy Spirit.” “The Trinity lies at the heart of our faith and worship”3 and it reveals God is a relational God, he has “eternal relations within Himself.”4 

1.        Foster, 2018, pg. 91

2.        Ibid., pg. 95

3.        Tenant, 2013, pg. 53

4.        Ibid., pg. 55

Believers in a community will agree in “spirit-rule,” that is in two or more praying on a difficult issue, and discerning God’s answer “by the Spirit.” Foster gives an example of a model for corporate guidance in the Spirit, titled “meetings for clearness.”1  In the Baptist tradition, congregational churches often meet to make decisions and vote while invoking the Holy Spirit for discernment/to have God’s plan revealed in the plans a church is making.

The Spirit ruled life is common among people of faith who look to God for discernment in business, family and church.

1.        Foster, 2018, pg. 180-181

Works Cited

Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. HarperOne, 2018.

Moore, Jimmy, and Dr Jason Fung. The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting. Victory Belt Publishing, 2016.

Tennent, Timothy C. This We Believe: Meditations on the Apostles’ Creed. Seedbed Inc, 2013.