From "Greater Health God's Way" by Stormie Omartian
Please note: Children and pregnant women should NOT fast. If you are on medication, consult your doctor before attempting to fast.
If you have decided to fast, please take a look at the following guidelines so that you can get the most out of your fast while staying as healthy as possible.
Decide beforehand how long the fast will be. Seek God to know specifically when to start, when to stop, and what is to be the main prayer focus.
Make certain you have a good supply of pure water before you start the fast. You need enough to last through the fast without running short.
Drink plenty of water throughout the entire fast. Some people recommend drinking one-half cup of water every hour. If you can’t remember to do it that often, drink two cups upon arising, two cups before noon, two cups late in the afternoon, and two cups before bedtime. We are all individuals, so do what works best for you.
Be very strict about your diet for a day or two before the fast begins. Concentrate heavily on fresh fruits and vegetables and be strict about avoiding foods on the “foods-to-avoid" list (e.g. refined sugars, white and brown, flour, caffeine, red meat, and processed foods). This will make the fast itself much less problematic and the benefits far greater. The body will not be clogged with over processed junk and the elimination system will work much more efficiently.
Don’t hesitate to drink a laxative herb tea when you feel the need for it. It is very natural, mild, and beneficial. If you have a problem with constipation, drink a nice warm cup of herbal laxative tea as the last thing you have before beginning your fast.
Don’t feel the fast is ruined if you happen to eat something by accident. Just receive what you ate in the name of Jesus and return to the fast. Pastor Jack Hayford says of that, "God isn't counting calories, He's looking on your heart."
Don’t wander into the kitchen about four o’clock in the afternoon just to see how the pantry is doing without you. You are setting yourself up for problems right there.
Exercise lightly while fasting. It helps you to breathe well and it generally aids the cleansing process. You should not exercise strenuously, however.
Get plenty of rest. Getting too few hours of sleep, working strenuously for long hours, or running all over without a moment to spare makes fasting difficult. If you're feeling especially weak or tired, or have badly mistreated your body for some time, go to bed during your fast or take frequent naps.
Read Isaiah 58 during every fast. God talks about fasting in this chapter of Isaiah. He describes the kind of fast He had chosen, what fasting is intended to accomplish and what the promise is for those of us who fast.
Live peacefully. Reduce sources of stress in your life.
Bathe daily. Many poisons will be coming out of your pores and daily bathing is a necessity. Especially important and beneficial at this time is the daily use of a loofah or dry brush.
Be very cautious about taking a sauna or hot Jacuzzi while fasting. Going into a sauna or whirlpool that is too hot at a time when you might be having a weak period during a fast could be dangerous. Among other things, you could get light-headed and faint, causing injury.
Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into your drinking water if bad breath is a problem. Use fresh lemon only — no synthetics.
Avoid reading cookbooks and magazines with wonderful pictures and recipes of food. Television commercials can be even more dangerous. If you must cook for others during a fast, freeze meals beforehand (like soups) so the preparation is easier and less tempting for you. Don't prepare your favorite dish.
Avoid extremes of hot and cold. (i.e. water, baths, air temperatures, etc.)
Drink warm water while fasting if you feel chilled. A good herb tea like rosehips, chamomile, or peppermint helps a great deal.
Don’t take vitamins or medicine while fasting unless you absolutely must. Pills of any kind on an empty stomach are not good for you. If it is absolutely necessary, grind the pill into a fine powder and stir it into a glass containing equal parts of water and fresh juice.
Never, never, never have alcohol, tea, coffee or soft drinks during a fast and do not smoke. These substances are slow killers and incredibly dangerous — especially during a fast.
Stand firm and resolve to continue your fast to the very best of your ability. You will feel so much better about yourself if you do.
