Florida Woman Dies While Fasting for Prayer
Local religion skeptics are eating this story up; recalling every incident ever printed, even not related to fasting, about religious parents who deny their children medical care. Oh, how bad those Christian fanatics are.
But the principal of Fasting and Praying is found in almost all religions. It's not a "Christian thing."
If we assume the reason given for Evelyn Boyd's death is true, it's easy to gloat over "religion's crazy practices." But something seems awry. Her husband has stated she fasted frequently, but this time took plastic bags with her to prevent coming out to use the bathroom. This seems questionable.
Are we sure she was locked in of her own free will? Or was she mentally imbalanced? Or maybe her numerous fasts led her heart into sudden cardiac arrest.
Why do non-believers assume this was the act of a fanatic? Maybe she didn't realize how unhealthy her body had become. This brings us to healthy fasting.
Fasting for Spiritual and Physical Wellness
People fast for reasons other than spiritual. Safely fasting can detoxify our bodies of many everyday toxins, residue from chemical medicines, and just to keep the bowel healthy. The toxins being released into Evelyn Boyd's body from an unsafe fast, without proper expulsion, could have killed her.
The Bible does mention fasting in many books, including Esther, Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel (Old Testament); Matthew, Luke, Acts and 2 Corinthians (New Testament) to name a few. It's used in conjunction with prayer to give oneself over to God when in dire need of His answers, understanding a situation or to discern proper action.
But fasting doesn't need to be from food. It can mean giving up anything that has a hold on you, to show that you can sacrifice something for a decided period of time. It could be computers, TV, shopping, smoking-whatever. This can be a type of "cleansing."
It doesn't have to be done in secret. Matthew 6:17-19 is often misinterpreted:
"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (NKJV, bolding added). You aren't supposed to call attention to your fasting. But you don't need to be locked up in a room. Sometimes, it's perfectly fine to let people know as long as the attitude is not "look at me, I'm such a martyr for fasting.
Fasting Safely from Food
Most importantly, there are many books, including Bible-based, that teach how to fast healthily and safely. Here are some tips:
-If you are spiritual, pray before the fast that your body is prepared.
-A plain water fast is not ideal for more than several days. Juices & electrolytes are needed.
-Prepare your body for about a week by adjusting your diet in anticipation of the fast. Eat foods that will pre-cleanse your system, like fibrous vegetables and beans.
-Exercise. Don't lay around. Go to work as usual or do other activities while fasting.
Two books I've run across on Healthy Fasting:
Get Healthy from Detox and Fasting, Don Colbert, M.D. (Siloam Press, 2006);
Good Health God's Way, Dale Boyll (Scriptural Nutrition Press, 1999).
(DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0 - This writer has not received any compensation from, and has no material connection to, the books mentioned herein.)
Sources:
Tampabay.com Report: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/research/polk-woman-who-died-alone-while-fasting-was-following-gods-call-husband/1079553;
Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/13/1527671/bartow-woman-55-dies-during-lengthy.html.
Published by Sheryl Young - Featured Contributor in Politics
Freelance writer since 1997; Featured Political Contributor for Yahoo!; Tampa Tribune Community Columnist/Blogger; Chicken Soup for the Soul; Amy Foundation National Writing Award; happy wife, proud step-mom... View profile
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78 Comments
Post a CommentI fast every first Sunday of the month...and you're right, fasting can be more than food, it can be temporarily refraining from anything you love, and it is a great way to reconnect with God...shame that the media took one outrageous incident to blast religion...fasting is a personal thing for everyone, for many reasons
Read and commented, but just wanted to shower you with some page view love! LOL
Interesting story. Well-written.
Oh the Media.. Sad story, must be more behind it, but leave it to the "Mainstream media" to not get all the facts, and leave a doubt in people's minds about "Religious freaks". I agree with the people who say fasting doesn't have to be totally without food, though it's how I most often do it. It's also about removing whatever is hindering us from the glorious presence of God! Love ya!
Great story! I fast frequently (usually for religious purposes) but fast from everything from my TV to eliminating certain food groups, my personal belief is when GOD leads you to a fast you do it safely and can physically handle it, but this story sounds a lil crazy I never heard of fasting like that. Something sounds fishy. Oh how sad that the media is quick to point fingers at Christians and bring up things that are not even relevant to "prove" something!!
Has to be the most ironic story of the week
Look at the comments on this one - and thanks for the reminder that fasting can be for any reason, not just for prayer.
Oh that is so sad. I've fasted from sleep before and about lost my mind. Anyway, lots of people fast. I'm with some of the others about it not sounding right. My husband would have jumped in for sure.
Interesting. I hadn't heard about this. I wonder what really happened.
Fasting from food is not just for religious purposes. I used to use it before tests to keep my brain free from sludge. Many professional poker players fast before big games. Christ taught us to fast as a cleansing technique for the brain. It does cleanse. The body sends all the blood to the brain because none is necessary for digestion. If used properly, it reteaches the body to maximize the use of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals and gives the organs a rest. I think there's a need for water however and hubby should have known this. Something is rotten in Denmark.