I’m so glad you’ve decided to take The Beautiful Womanhood Fast-for-Your-Marriage challenge!
In preparation for your fast, it’s important to decide what TYPE of fast to choose and your choice depends upon your circumstances. If you are diabetic or have health issues, please consult your doctor about what food(s) or drink you could eliminate without endangering your health. Call now, so you’re prepared to begin on April 1-21.
If you happen to be leaving for a Spring Break vacation (smile), you can still experience all the benefits of the fast while enjoying your vacation. When I was on vacation finishing up a 40 day fast, I decided to remove all meat and sweets from my diet. Removing one food or drink that you normally gravitate toward will remind you that you’ve set this time aside for a spiritual purpose–breakthrough!
For all others, there are many options.
- Complete fast (drinking only water–shouldn’t attempt beyond 3 days without Dr.’s approval)
- Juice fast (drinking any/all juices/broths + water)
- DANIEL fast (eliminating meat, sweets, alcohol, caffeine)
- Eliminate a particular food or drink you crave (it must cost you something)
I’ve tried each of these fasts so I’ll provide a bit of commentary below.
For the Complete fast, I would eliminate all food from my diet one day a week. Finding the best day is the trick and Mondays worked for me. It’s important to drink a lot of water on this fast–be intentional about this. Last year, I tried fasting all food for 3 days and my husband made me drink juice by noon of the second day as I became dizzy and was languishing on the couch. Drinking juice got me through the three days in one piece! A complete fast isn’t easy, no doubt about it, but it’s important to fast safely. Thanks honey!
As described above, the juice fast includes all juices or BROTHS. Make sure there is no added sugar in the juice. Also, soda pop is not on the menu!
My husband and I have completed a 21 day Daniel fast for the past 2 years with our church and it’s been a blessing to each of us and our marriage. It can be difficult knowing how to prepare food without meet, cheese, or sweets for 21 days so I needed help and Kristen Feola provided it. On her blog, www.ultimatedanielfast.com., Kristen includes recipes (the date honey was yummy!), menus, and devotionals to encourage your spiritual growth during the fast. Right now, she’s on a Daniel Fast until Easter. If you google “daniel fast”, you’ll find many helpful resources.
When I was on vacation, it was too difficult to remain on the Daniel Fast, so I simply ELIMINATED meat and sweets from my diet. When choosing this fast, select a food(s) or drink(s) that you rely on heavily. For example, if you crave soda pop, eliminate that. Every time you’re tempted to reach for a Dr. Pepper, you’ll be reminded about the purpose of the fast and the breakthrough you need (we’ll talk about the purpose of the fast in the April 1 blog). A friend of mine enjoys a glass of wine with dinner and decided to fast alcohol. Maybe candy is your weakness–whatever you eliminate, it should cost you something.
If anyone else has ideas for a particular fast, please share it on Facebook. Let’s Connect, Share, and Grow together for our spiritual break-through!
Sandy
I am ready and looking forward to joining the Beautiful Womanhood ministry for this time of fasting. This will be my first ever fast and how appropriate and ironic that it will be for a breakthrough in my marriage which is desperately needed (we really are at a crossroads and can’t seem to shake bitterness and forgiveness towards one another). I’m also hoping to experience something new in my relationship with my mother as a result as well.
I’m really happy to hear your goals for this fast Andrea. They certainly are in line with the Word and He WILL bless it! The first blog will post early Sunday morning. Then hop over to Facebook and we’ll interact and pray with one another e-style! So glad you’re joining in!
Andrea, this is my first fast also, and I too am facing trouble in my marriage due to our tempers and our trouble with trust and forgiveness. I too am looking forward to a breakthrough and I hope that every woman who participates truly sees improvement in their marriages.
Amen Jasmine! Watch for the blog early Sunday morning. I’m writing it now and it has helpful information about what a fast is and isn’t as well as practical instruction about what to do during the fast. On Facebook, I’ll be posting questions and videos so we can interact with one another and share our journeys together. So glad you’re participating!
lets go ladies, if we aint strong enough the devil will use us to destroy what God has endorsed.I am pleased that i am not the only one who will be fasting for the first time for my mariage.Thank you.
Gao, We can do this together!! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm. So glad you’re taking the Challenge!!
Looking forward to joining this ministry on the fast. I pray that God will do GREAT things in all the marriages that are going to be represented on this fast. I am trying to get a team of married woman I know to particpate in this as well so we can reflect together. Looking forward to God’s MIGHT work.
Tamesha, I’m so glad you’re joining the fast and inviting others!
I am glad to hear of this fast for marriages , I will Love to join ur fast and stand in agreement with all the woman that have faith in god for there ever needed change In the lives of our marriages. Let’s make a difference in our lives.
I’m glad you’re fasting with us Catalina! I’ll be posting a new blog each week and we’ll be discussing it on Facebook at Beautiful Womanhood. Welcome!
I am blessed to be a part of this fast and pray that God has His way in my family. I am going to most likely fast meats, sweets and try to stay away from cafeine. I am believing God for a miracle and deliverance from addictions for my husband. I am praying for his soul salvation and for God to give me direct word on what I should be doing that I am not. We don’t talk whatsoever as for my husband does not wish to so it’s hard but I am in it for his soul and I am thankful that God has taught me to love him as He loves him. I am in the Ruby Wives group on facebook and I am blessed to know that I am not alone….God bless Denise
I just found this website. Even though the “original” date has passed, i would still like to fast for my marriage. My husband just recently moved back home and i want to make sure we stay on the right path.
I’m impressed by your desire to humble yourself and fast for your marriage Nina! The timing of your fast makes no difference. Begin now (if you haven’t already) and read the series of blogs I wrote about fasting. Please keep me posted and feel free to ask any questions you may have. I rejoice with you that your husband is back at home. (Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I was on a sabbatical the month of July!)