OPTION FOR FASTING
(See Matthew 6)
by two members of YFC-Illinois
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UPDATE: Dec. 13, 2001

People of GOD. We all know that war really sucks. What we experienced on Sept. 11, 2001 was devastating. Post-Sept.11 emotions included doubt, questioning our faith, anger, and so on. SO many innocent people died in Afghanistan because of U.S. bombings. We've even put a $25 million bounty on Osama bin Laden's head.

God never put a price on anyone's life -- no matter how wretched the sinner.

If you have not heard, FRIDAY, DEC. 14th, is a DAY OF FASTING. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has called all Christians and Catholics to fast on this day for world peace, and an end to violence especially what's going on now. There is room for grace with Osama bin Laden. There is room for mercy in Christ for all sinners, period. No one is exempt from God's unconditional love.

Fasting can move mountains. Fasting has helped YFC grow and "get us participants" for our retreats. With just a couple members fasting, miracles have happened in this ministry. IF A WHOLE WORLD FASTS, imagine the MASSIVE CONVERSION of SINNERS, even TERRORISTS.

God has defeated, is defeating, and will defeat Satan. What an honor it is to fight with our God against hatred, violence, and war. Join our Holy Father in fasting, join our fellow bishops, priests, deacons in fasting. Join our fellow brothers and sisters all OVER THE WORLD in fasting and LET THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINE FROM HERE TO THE CAVES OF AFGHANISTAN.

"And then all the world will see: THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD..." (from "The Voice of One Calling in the Desert")

Sing with your actions this time.

in Christ,
Miko Sy

Further Reading: Article from Catholic World News, "Pope calls for world religions meeting; asks Catholics to fast."

Editor's Note: Dec. 14 is also the third month anniversary of President Bush's Day of Prayer and Remembrance. We should also note that despite the government's insistence that bin Laden and the terrorist group al-Quaida are responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks, as of this post bin Laden has yet to be caught and tried in a court of law.

Fasting is an optional, additional sacrifice. It is best that the leaders should do this as they set the example for the members.

Unless it is group fasting, nobody has to know that you are fasting. It is a covenant between you and God. We fast because it is for the glory of God, not to show our own strength. As it says, "and your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you" (Matt. 6:18). If you're fasting, let your leader know so that they can give you support and hold you accountable that your fast is service for God.

Fasting means denying ourselves. Your body needs food for strength, but when you fast you deny your flesh. You feed your soul when you fast, because when you fast, you also pray. When you pray, you get closer to God.

Group fasting is getting a group together and forming a pact with each other that you are going to fast from a certain thing together. The more people fast, the easier it will be, as there will be more people to remind you that you are fasting for God.

Some methods of fasting:

1. Full fasting: Go without food at all for the whole day.

2. Partial fasting: Go only with bread and water the whole day, or intentionally miss meals.

3. Give up your favorite food, TV show, or whatever that you like or consumes your time (chatting on AOL, playing video games, shopping, etc.).

4. Extended fasting: not eating for more than one day, but you NEED to see a doctor before doing this.

Jesus escaped to a mountain to pray. He fasted and prayed for 40 days in the desert to prepare Himself for ministry. Shouldn't we do the same?

FRAMES (advisable if you wanna navigate THE WORD easily... we're still working on it tho, hehehe)