“Fasting, abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious, or ethical purposes.
The abstention may be complete or partial, lengthy, of short duration, or intermittent.
Fasting has been promoted and practiced from antiquity worldwide
by physicians,
by the founders and followers of many religions,
by culturally designated individuals (e.g., hunters or candidates for initiation rites), and by individuals or groups as an expression of protest against what they believe are violations of social, ethical, or political principles.”
Isaiah 58 , HCSB
True Fasting
“Why have we fasted, but You have not seen?
We have denied ourselves, but You haven’t noticed! ”
“Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast,
and oppress all your workers.
You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist.
You cannot fast as you do today,
hoping to make your voice heard on high.
Will the fast I choose be like this:
A day for a person to deny himself,
to bow his head like a reed,
and to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
Isn’t the fast I choose:
To break the chains of wickedness,
to untie the ropes of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free,
and to tear off every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
to bring the poor and homeless into your house,
to clothe the naked when you see him,
and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
CHaRA Cares in Zanzibar
photos by Dr. Aletha during a volunteer trip to Zanzibar to assist CHaRA with their humanitarian work
Fasting for the body and the soul
Observed by Catholic , Orthodox, and Protestant Christians, (although the dates may differ) Lent is a time of spiritual reflection, contemplation, renewal, and commitment.
Exploring the HEART of faith, hope, and love
1 Corinthians 13:13
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watercress words by Dr Aletha 