If you don't do this, start now!

Discussion in 'On prayer itself' started by PurpleFlower, Sep 22, 2021.

  1. PurpleFlower

    PurpleFlower Powers

    Fasting! I have struggled on and off with trying to do real fasting instead of just a bunch of little sacrifices here and there. I had not been very successful for a while.

    But then a couple weeks ago I was praying, asking God what can I do further to get my brother back into the Faith? My sister and I had brought him to Mass a few times but he was starting to resist...and when my sister said he no longer would even do the Sign of the Cross at her house, and he started refusing to even go up to get a blessing from the priest, I knew we needed to get even more serious in our prayers.

    I felt God tell me, "Fast." So that is what my sister and I began doing. No more excuses. We fast on Wednesday and Friday and add further sacrifices throughout the week. We haven't said one word to our brother about anything, just are secretly fasting for him.

    And guess what? He decided only a few days after that that he would start going to the Latin Mass with my family every Sunday. He has been so reverent and even asked my husband about when he should genuflect and such (he wasn't sure if some things were different at the TLM.) Just the fact that he cared to ask about that is amazing. Then, last Sunday, he asked how to pray the Sign of the Cross in Latin and went off memorizing it quietly to himself over and over.

    Another amazing thing is my dad, who was going to take the Covid shot in order to keep his job, changed his mind and is choosing to retire right before the deadline to be vaccinated instead. This is a HUGE deal, because my dad LOVES his job (triple digit salary and his favorite thing to do by far) and had just found out a month ago that they had permitted him to extend his retirement by at least a year. He had been telling everyone and was so happy. So, the fact that it seems God moved his heart to give up his beloved career over this vaccine is very telling, I think.

    Yet again, I'm seeing how tenderly God cares for us, how all is in His hands, and how powerful fasting/prayer is. If any of y'all have been wanting to start or resume fasting, go for it! It is spiritual dynamite and we need more of that right now!

    What a privilege it is to be alive in this time, to take up our weapons (rosary, fasting, Holy Face devotion, etc.) and fight alongside Christ, Our Lady and the angels in this epic battle for the souls of the world!
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2021
  2. Mario

    Mario Powers

  3. ellen

    ellen Ellen


    Totally agree PF... The rosary and fasting are equivalent to using CANONS as weapons in the spiritual battle. I too fast on Wednesdays and Fridays ...have been doing so for 15 years or more!

    I wholeheartedly recommend this practice to all our MOG members !!
     
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  4. AED

    AED Powers

    Do you mean bread and water or no food until dinner or just straight up no food?
    I have done the no food til dinner. It was rough but easier than the bread and water. Bread messes with blood sugar in my case.
     
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  5. ellen

    ellen Ellen

     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2021
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  6. Adoremus

    Adoremus Powers

    In the past I've tried to fast but allowed myself coffee in the morning, otherwise what's the point of getting out of bed or even being alive :D but I always ended up with a splitting headache and in foul mood by late afternoon. Last week I decided to skip the coffee and have herb tea. Much better result, no headache or bad mood. I'll be doing this from now on. Coffee for me is the biggest sacrifice.
     
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  7. HeavenlyHosts

    HeavenlyHosts Powers

    It sounds do-able. Thank you.
     
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  8. miker

    miker Powers

    I think you do what makes most sense for you - we all are in different ages and stages of health. Personally, I think what matters is your willingness to sacrifice , to deal and overcome with the temptation to do what you want and offer it in Union with the sacrifice Christ made. I think for those who for health reason cant fast from food… they “fast “ from something else they enjoy. Perhaps, fast from the internet , TV, or in my case … fast from using bad language (a tough one for me- need lots of prayer :)).

    But as PF said up front, it’s a privilege we are given to fast. In the end, it’s not God who needs our fasting, but rather us who in fasting and prayer become closer to God.
     
  9. ellen

    ellen Ellen


    Exactly..Miker!! Well said!
     
  10. Indy

    Indy Praying

    Fasting is so important and so powerful, I try but am bad, but I know God wants me to try. I find Wednesday the best day for me and a good opportunity to go unnoticed at home fasting.
     
  11. AED

    AED Powers

    This is helpful. Thank you.
     
  12. AED

    AED Powers

    Yes coffee would be a huge sacrifice for me. Maybe I will start with that. Once I fasted for 30 days from coffee and TV. I was preparing for a retreat. I actually did it. Hard to believe looking back on it. Now it would be internet and coffee--except for Mog. Hmmm. Maybe on Wednesdays and Fridays. Its a start.
    (What a baby I am!)
     
  13. Michael Pio

    Michael Pio Archangels

    Dear Purple Flower,
    It is always with great joy that I read your posts, along with those of many others here. It gives me strength.
    God bless your dad! I admire his decision.
    Would you mind to share specifically how you fast on Wednesday and Friday?
     
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  14. ellen

    ellen Ellen

    AED..... Coffee withdrawal can give one an ...off the charts ....Headache!!
    It happened to me. :eek:
     
  15. AED

    AED Powers

    I know. Its funny. When I did the retreat fast I did not get a headache. I was just immensely tired for about a week.
     
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  16. PurpleFlower

    PurpleFlower Powers

    I'm doing bread and water for 2 meals a day, and nothing fancy for my 3rd meal. No sweets. I'm breastfeeding my 1 year old and trying to conceive another baby, so I'm not sure if I should try nothing but bread and water all day!
     
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  17. AED

    AED Powers

    PF i think your baby and your health comes first! Find another thing to give up. Maybe don't season your food or eat things you don't like. But truly your first responsibility as a mother is your health and your children's health. Eat a nutritious diet every day. Please don't do bread and water right now. I cannot believe that Our Lord would want this.
     
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  18. PurpleFlower

    PurpleFlower Powers

    Don't worry! I make a very nutritious homemade bread with buttermilk, oats and whole wheat! It is filling and I have no headaches like I used to when I was younger and would fast on store-bought bread. :)
     
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  19. Beth B

    Beth B Beth Marie

    Thank you PF…you are a amazing example! Bless you!
     
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  20. Beth B

    Beth B Beth Marie

    Ohhh boy, you are a real warrior!15 years! Ok…I’m floored! God bless you!
     

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