Dale,
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are supposed to Fast once a month, and then also for other specific reasons that come up, like Haiti.
I asked my Bishop a long time ago about this, and he said that the Lord KNOWS the intent of our heart, and because of my medical condition, I would be excused. So, medical problems, such as my Type II Diabetes, are given a ‘pass,’ but we still have to pray about the Church, and for those other specific reasons. I can not see why a loving Father in Heaven, would require us to Fast, when it COULD cause us great illness or death. Christ already did that…
Take care, Chaplain ET
As well, a “fast”…need not be food related…it’s meant to be a sacrifice.
Dale, I had the same concern when I was diagnosed in 1986. I talked with my bishop (I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Mormon]), and he told me where my body would not tolerate me not eating, that God understands that, and excuses you from fasting. In our Church, we fast one Sunday a month, and donate the cost of those meals donated to the Church Welfare Fund. So, it was really important to me to find that out. Your pastor should understand that, as well, and probably has already informed you of that.
Chaplain -
Thanks for your comments. I haven’t fasted since the episode in October that I related above. I received a pass from my pastor with the suggestion to give up something else instead. While it all went OK when I did it, I found that I was so distracted trying to monitor by bgl and body reactions that it really took something away from the purpose behind the fast.
And, nearly a year later, we are well underway with the site work on our church expansion, and will start going vertical in the next month!
Take care!
Dale
When we fasted for spiritual reasons, we did a Biblical fast. A full 24 hours, from sunset to sunset, with no food, and no beverages or candy, nothing. Not even water.
At the time I did not have diabetes, but did develop reactive hypoglycemia, which made it pretty tough. I really dreaded fasting after that.
Now I’m on two types on insulin and I do not fast. My husband who is on metformin, still does fast but not as strictly. He takes his other meds, as he cannot skip them, and has one glass of water because dehydration is dangerous for him. I really think he should have as much water as he wants, but its his choice.
I’d certainly make it a point to talk to my endo first, if I was going to try it now. I’ve done shorter fasts, but not 24 hours.
The principal in Jewish law is that you should not do anything to harm your body, and if a religious fast would harm you because of your diabetes or another serious medical condition, then you should not fast.
There are lots of good articles out there if you want to Google it. Look up Yom Kippur and diabetes. Here’s a good one
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/Jan-Chait/fast_days_need…
“Jewish law has the principle of l’chai b’chem, ‘you shall live by the commandments, not die by them.’ If fasting is injurious to your health, you should not do it,”
“When I was at my synagogue, I always said, ‘Listen to what your doctor says, and if he prohibits it, you must not fast.’”
H. David Teitelbaum, rabbi emeritus at Redwood City’s Conservative Temple Beth Jacob.
Do not fast from food! There are many ways of fasting healthily. In the Bible when fasting is mentioned it is usually from food but we can fast from other things - like talking, or watching TV or listening to the radio … and spend the time praying. But if you are diabetic, do keep to your regular meals an medication! I do. God understands and He still answers prayers!
Sorry, had to last at the sacrifice! Surely there are other things you could fast from and be a lot more pleasant! Or pray and cut down on caffeine slowly! Cold turkey will make you feel very ill!
I have type 1 diabetes and I’m also a Catholic. Our main fast days are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which marks the beginning and ending of Lent. During Lent we also abstain from meat on those days and on Fridays. Throughout the rest of the year Fridays is also a day of self sacrifice and, if you wish, abstain from meat. There is really no rules but if you wish to fast, ask your doctor if you can time the insulin dosage to match your carbs on those days.
My church is on a corporate 40 day fast. Usually we fast for a week quarterly. I dont have a problem with fasting because I am on the pump but I wanted to chime in about fasting in general. Usually I have no problem but this time I found myself inconsistent and dealing with "worldly guilt". During this I was spending daily time in devotionals and I came across something that helped me a lot. What I wrote is below the scripture:
Romans 6
15Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
I am a grown single woman. The last person I remotely obeyed was my father, Joseph Michel.
I realize though, that I am HIS daughter too. I am also HIS bride! But who do I obey? Sometimes it has been my schedule, sometimes it has been pleasure, sometime it has been food. Who or what was I letting order my life other then the LORD. My schedule, my pleasure and even food were created to be under my control, not the other way around.
Especially as diabetics...Food becomes consuming. After I read this scripture I realized that it wasn't the food but who/what I let be in control.
So as a result my fast has been sugar-free, yeast free. It has been me eating a healthy meal, correctly counting carbs and checking my blood sugar before and after. And me filling the other 23 hours with the Lord and living my life.
Very good point taken indeed...."Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me".
Yes indeed...anything that that removes God as being our primary focus, is in effect, a false God. You are right to point out that this does not imply that we should disobey our parents, or become lax about diabetes care....it merely indicates that if you prioritize God, He in you will care of the rest. When you put God at the top...there is less chaos in your daily life....He "un-muddies" the waters. By the way....fasting does not necessarily entail fasting from food....it could mean fasting from computer games, coffee, TV....etc.