Just three more days before the start of our week of fasting and prayer begins on Sunday.  Some of you may be grocery shopping in preparation for the fast.  Here's what you'll want to buy based on the kind of fast you're doing:

Water Fast:  If you will be doing a water only fast, you may need to purchase bottled water if the drinking water in your home isn't good.  Otherwise, you won't need to buy anything.  If you don't fast regularly, I would advise against a water only fast for your first week-long fast.  Unless the Lord has directed you specifically to undertake this type of fast, you will want to do one of the other fasts listed below.

Juice and Water Fast:  This fast adds fruit juices to the water diet for the week.  Remember to purchase natural juices rather than those high in artificial sweeteners and coloring.  High fructose corn syrup, which we read so much about these days, isn't beneficial.  Removing all nutrients except for juices is going to impact you in a number of ways:  You may have headaches because of spiking and dropping blood sugar levels.  If you are a diabetic this type of fast is inadvisable unless you are under a physician's care, and one who is acquainted with fasting for spiritual reasons (most are not.).  You may also experience fatigue as a result of having little or no protein in your system.

Daniel Fast:  The Daniel Fast, so called because it was used by Daniel and other young Israelites when they were being trained to be leaders for Babylon.  While the "diet" for the men was supposed to include rich foods, meat and wine, the young Israelites ate only fruits and vegetables and drank water.  When following a Daniel fast, some will use the vegetables with a broth as a soup for the evening meal, while others will stay exclusively with fruits, vegetables and water.  This is an excellent choice for a week-long fast, if you are used to fasting as a spiritual discipline.  I will be using this type of fast during the week. 

Modified Fast:  This type of fast can mean many things, but typically means that you eliminate some component of your normal diet such as meats, desserts, bread, etc...  You may or may not experience hunger with this type of fast, depending on how you modify your overall caloric intake.  The advantage of a modified fast is even if you are not used to fasting, you will be able to participate without as much to your body.  A modified fast may be necessary for those with special health concerns, particularly diabetes.  The key to remember from a physical standpoint is we are not fasting to lose weight.  We are fasting to focus on God.  With any of the first three types of fast, you WILL become hungry, and your body will react to the lack of the food in various ways.  During those times the key is to focus on God, to pray, read Scripture, worship, or anything else that will allow you to "feast" on God rather than focus on your hunger.

Alternative Fast:  For those for whom fasting from food is inadvisable dure to health concerns, it is always possible to choose an alternative fast, which means fasting from activities such as watching television, playing video games, or other leisure activities.  Then substitute time focusing on God in place of the activity.  Remember, that you may combine the alternative fast with any of the fasts from food as well!

Final Thoughts:  Remember as you're preparing physically for the fast that if you are a caffeine user or a smoker, or if you have a high intake of "junk food" and you eliminate all of those during the fast, your body will most likely respond in negative ways at first.  I have experienced moderate to severe headaches when fasting for the first couple of days, which is most likely a combination of eliminating caffeine AND blood sugar changes. I have been cutting back on caffeine as the week has progressed to minimize some of those challenges.  One final thought, since I have been mentioning likely negative effects of fasting during these "final thoughts," by the third or fourth day of the fast I typically feel better physically than normal, and also have a heightened sense of God's presence.  The experience of fasting, when done for the right reasons--to focus on God, to give Him glory, to dedicate ourselves to His will and work, and to call on Him for deliverance WILL be a blessing, even as we experience some bodily changes that may not feel great at first.  I encourage you to keep praying for God to show you how to carry out your fast, and to commit the time to Him!

Tomorrow:  Anticipating The Fast--God's Blessing!