Holy Spirit broadcasting: both watchman and Jonah heard

The watchman found out that the ancient calling of Jonah is not over afterall and has taken on a new form in the spiritual realm.

On 13th October he attended an evening healing meeting and the Spirit-filled pastor had an anointing to anoint a special group after his preaching. This was the first time he called for those who had previous calling by the Lord but had already forgotten or put their calling aside. To his amazement quite a number of people responded and stood up and let the pastor come round to anoint them afresh to the Lord's calling.
The watchman could not recall any precious calling. So he did not stand up. As he was happily watching others, he heard a soft reminder in his spirit, "Jonah 4, last verse." He turned to that verse (Jonah 4:11) and recalled the long forgotten past many many years ago indeed that was the verse that impacted him! So he was the last one who walked to the altar and had to call after the pastor who by then had left and mingled with the congregation. He told the pastor the verse he received much to the latter's delight.
The next day he received a call to share a message that evening. So he looked up the book of Jonah and meditated on the last verse. He asked the Lord who and where the "Nineveh people" are today. He was led to locate one people group who now live in an area touching 'many nations'! They have no state of their own but they are one unique people group artficially divided into 4-6 nations which boundaries cut through their land. They are named the Kurds.
So he downloaded prayer needs of the group and started to pray for them. He was led in the spirit to download a presentation on how to pray for this group too.
That Friday (14th Oct.) night or rather Saturday morning (1 am) he shared to a group of very tired and sleepy people that the Lord wants them to pray for this group of people. Prior to the sharing he asked the Lord whether it was necessary to speak on such topic and whether there was any audience at all. The Lord asked him whether he would speak if there was only one person who listens. He said yes. Then he heard, what if there is none, would you still speak? He said yes. Then he heard in his spirit that there would be more than one who would hear this message.
The reason the watchman said yes to speak even when there might not be one audience was that he believed that something would happen in the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit braodcasted the urgency to pray for this group of "Nineveh" people and he was one of those who heard the broadcast in the spirit. He chose to obey in view of verse 4:11 in the Book of Jonah.

Ten days after his unusual sharing, he read the news about the Turkish earthquake.
He now quoted some of them as follows:
"The 2011 Van earthquake was a destructive magnitude 7.2 Mw earthquake that struck eastern Turkey near the predominantly Kurdish city of Van on Sunday, 23 October 2011 at 13:41 local time. It occurred at a shallow depth of 20 km (12.4 mi), causing heavy shaking across much of eastern Turkey and being felt across much of the Near East. Extensive areas sustained heavy damage to their structures, and as many as 1,000 people were feared dead." (excerpt from Wikipedia)
Later, on 26th, he read this latest news, "Earlier on Tuesday, Turkish officials said the death toll has reached 459, adding that 1,352 people were injured in Sunday’s quake." "A 14-day-old infant has miraculously survived 46 hours trapped in debris after the 7.2 Earthquake has shaken Van in eastern Turkey. Latest News report that the missing mother of the bab Azra has also been found.."

An earlier news on 25th: "Van /NationalTurk – Turkish rescue teams pulled an 14 day young infant, a newborn out of a collapsed building, as rescuers hopes of finding more survivors alive were fading. The news comes after a nine-year-old girl was rescued after spending over 30 hours under the rubble. And prior to that Mesut Ozan Yilmaz, 18, was found, 32 hours after the tea house he had been drinking in with friends collapsed on top of him. He walked out miraculously with only few minor scratches. “It was like the judgment day,” he said, explaining the horror he just survived."

Reading rescue stories has warmed one's heart. the number dead is not as earlier predicted by the officials afterall. He prayed that many more miracles would happen. His regret was he did not manage to reach many more intercessors. What saddened him was some had even slept through his presentation. He repented for his lack of forcefulness when sharing this urgent message (also not knowing that it was a SOS message he heard!)

Whilst the watchman does not know the number of global intercessors/watchmen had heard the broadcast in the spiritual realm and responded by prayers and intercessions, he believed that what mattered was the faithfulness of the Lord and His words never returned void even if only one man was interceding.
It is indeed a rewarding job to be 'working' for the Almighty God who loves and wants all peoples to repent and turn back to Him and be saved. His mercy, lovingkindness and grace (undeserved favor) is limitless!
John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. "
 O watchman, watch (and hear the Holy Spirit global broadcast) and pray faithfully!

watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (2)

The watchman completed his Yom Kippur feeling refreshed. A group of them decided to gather together and celebrated the last few hours of the fasting. Whilst he had an attack of severe headache around noontime, he felt rested and well after a nap. By the time they gathered together he was feeling well and ready to read the word of God with others.

What he had learned from this year’s fasting:

1. Fasting has to be a life style and not just on one day of the year to be effective. He will carry on fasting in various combinations of ways throughout the following year. It is natural and a way of life now (after he started his journey in the Holy Spirit almost three years ago).

2. He must clarify his motive and set goals before the fasting. Then fasting has his own meaning and value in depth and not just a copycat action.

3. Fasting with a meaningful spiritual purpose is supernatural and help overcome his physical weakness and limitations. He has gained more realistic understanding of Biblical truth in this action of faith.

4. Fasting with others of the same mind as led by the Holy Spirit and Word of God builds faith and strengthens his commitment to the course. Knowing that many others are doing this that particular day has widened his vision and perspectives in life.

5. The right goal motivates him to press on and not give in easily. This is a must for the serious follower who want to become disciple of Jesus Christ!

By the end of the fasting, he was given a bowl of chicken soup. It was delicious! After that he went home and had another liquid drink and felt contented. He was in no hurry to drink coffee or eat a solid meal. The body was no longer his master. His mind was busy chewing on precious revelations.

One wonderful healthy outcome is that he begins to like drinking plain water!

Will he do it again in Yom Kippur 2012? Only the Lord can tell. Meanwhile, he would encourage all watchmen to seriously consider making fasting a regular part of lifestyle too.

Fasting God wants (NT)

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose of fasting is to spend time before God and get to know God more. Jesus Himself fasted forty days and forty nights in preparation for His ministry on earth. He set an example for His disciples. He also presented God to us in His life on earth. Fasting and praying are an integral part of Christian life.


Jesus Fasted

Matthew 4:2 And when He (Jesus) had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

Jesus taught on fasting:

Do not deliberate show it externally; fasting is not for show to man; fasting is not for scoring points with God (no boasting please!)

Matthew 6:16-18 [ Fasting to Be Seen Only by God ] “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 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. (wrong fasting is just for show to other men, not for God)

Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (pride and boasting are detestable to God)

There is an appointed time and reason for fasting:

Fasting is for the Lord first

Mark 2:18-20 [ Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting ] The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

Luke 2:37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Fasting breaks bondages and yokes and delivers a person from the control of Satan

Matthew 17:21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (In this case, Jesus referred to His disciples who want to heal and deliver others)

Fasting and praying are often linked and done together, leading to spiritual understanding and actions according to God’s will

Acts 10:30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Fasting can be done during crisis, when supernatural intervention from God is needed

Acts 27:9 [ Paul’s Warning Ignored ] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,

Fasting is part and parcel of an apostle’s life

2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 11:27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

THE FASTING GOD WANTS (OT)

FASTING AS DESCRIBED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

FASTING IS LINKED TO REPENTANCE

1 Samuel 7:6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the children ofIsrael at Mizpah.

Joel 2:12 [ A Call to Repentance ] “ Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “ Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;

Jonah 3:5 [ The People of Nineveh Believe ] So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Zechariah 7:1 [ Obedience Better than Fasting ] Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,

Zechariah 7:3 and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”

Zechariah 7:5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?

FASTING IS LINKED TO MOURNING

1 Samuel 31:13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 2 Samuel 1:12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

A KING’S PLEADING WITH GOD (personal sin) 2 Samuel 12:16 [ The Death of David’s Son ] And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.2 Samuel 12:21-23 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

A QUEEN PLOTTING EVIL 1 Kings 21:9 She wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 1 Kings 21:12 They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth with high honor among the people.

A KING HUMBLED BEFORE GOD (when condemned for his sin)1 Kings 21:27 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.

A KING PLEADED BEFORE GOD (when faced with enemy attack) 2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

PREPARATION FOR A SACRED JOURNEY Ezra 8:21 [ Fasting and Prayer for Protection ] Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

REPENTANCE AND INTERCESSION (for nation and people)

Ezra 9:5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.

Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 9:1 [ The People Confess Their Sins ] Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.

Esther 4:3 And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 4:16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

INTERCESSION & SUPPLICATION BEFORE GOD

Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

Psalm 69:10 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.

Psalm 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.

WHAT GOD DOES NOT WANT FROM FASTING:

GOD DOES NOT WANT EXTERNAL PHYSICAL SHOW (whilst continuing to sin); GOD DOES NOT WANT FASTING WHICH IS SELF-CENTRED WITHOUT TRUE REVERANT FEAR OF GOD AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD:

Isaiah 58:3 ‘ Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Isaiah 58:5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD? Jeremiah 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”

Isaiah 58:4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.

WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS FROM FASTING: BREKING BONDAGES

Isaiah 58:6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
Jeremiah 36:6 You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the LORD’s house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.

EVEN AN ALIEN KING FASTS BEFORE GOD TO PLEAD FOR HIS PEOPLE (DANIEL)

Daniel 6:18 [ Daniel Saved from the Lions ] Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.

INTERCESSOR FASTS AND INTERCEDES FOR NATION

Daniel 9:3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.

APPOINTED TIME & PURPOSE FOR FASTING MUST BE FOLLOWED (Today, this means fast as led by the Holy Spirit and the word of God)

Esther 9:31 to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting.
Zechariah 8:19

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’

watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (1)

The watchman is half way through Yom Kippur. His last meal was 18 and half hour ago. He was still holding well in terms of energy. His last drink of water was 14 hours ago. He felt the discomfort in the mouth but it was still bearable. His last coffee intake was 30 hours ago and the abstinence makes him suffer physically. Lesson learned: Beware of coffee addiction! Take heed of good advice and cut coffee!

Here is a summary of what he has done so far during the first half of the day of atonement:

1. He has his pre-fast main meal early. The meal was mainly pasta with cheese, chicken meat, brocoli, potato and a chicken bone soup with onion and celery. He forgot to ask for less salt so he suffered a bit from having a higher level of sodium for his body to handle during the fasting.

2. At the start of Yom Kippur (following Jerusalem time), he gathered together with a group of Christians in worship, prayers and reading the word of God for three hours.

3. After the three hours of gathering, he and another believer were assigned the time slot of two hours to pray and intercede for Israel, reading the word of God too.

4. After that he drove home and had about 4 hours sleep and got up. The throat was uncomfortable as he was still having symptoms of a ‘cold’ which manifested just a few days ago. But he continued by faith and gurgled his mouth regularly with plain water. The withdrawal from caffeine was worse and he had to battle against his throbbing forehead.

5. He started to pray and read the word of God. He was led to read Malachi. He was led to repent for Christian churches and Christian parents instead of Israel. Why? Here are the verses that convicted his spirit as he started to stand in the gap as a watchman intercessor:

Malachi 1 Unworthy Sacrifices

6The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!

“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
7“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?[c]’
“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 8When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

9“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings. 11 But my name is honored[d] by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer[e]sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. 13You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!
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Watchman’s comments:
The Lord is not just talking about offering material things here. God is Spirit. He is looking for worshippers who worship in spirit and in truth. He is looking for prayers and intercessions which will be gathered as sweet incense in heaven. He is looking for royal priests and holy nation, a special people for His kingdom. He demands spiritual quality and in exact specification according to His heavenly pattern, as given in His Word – the plumb-line of God.

Action: Let us search our hearts and see if we are quality offerings ourselves. Is my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, in accordance to the perfect will of God? Romans 12:1-2

watchman’s adventure: A day before Yom Kippur

The watchman has decided to keep Yom Kippur – day of atonement (full fast of food and water for 25 hours from Sundown to Sundown following Jerusalem’s time) this year. He has prepared his heart and spirit for the past two weeks and now the day will arrive soon. On this eve he carries out the following:

1. Set goal for the day of fast and repentance, as a watchman standing in the gap. His Goal: to seek God and intercede for Israel before God.

2. Ask and listen to the Holy Spirit on how to spend the next day. Activities: Fast, repent, read and proclaim God’s words.

3. Prepare himself in his body: He has two main meals to stock up on protein, carb., fibre and plenty of water. (During the previous year’s Yom Kippur, he had a hard time when he fasted water as well as food. Fasting water was very tough for him!)

4. Prepare himself in his soul and spirit: He rests before the Lord, reads the word of God, prays, and receives guidance from the Holy Spirit. Aligning himself with the Lord prepares him to enter the spiritual realm the following day.

Some of the Bible books and chapters he will read and proclaim as led by the Holy Spirit on the following day are as follows:
whole book of Hebrews ; whole book of Matthews; psalm 141-150 ; Isaiah 42-66 ; Ezekiel 33-48; Micah; parts of Jeremiah; Lamentations.

Why does he want to do the Yom Kippur observation? He asks. The answer is he believes the calling and choosing of Christians is linked to that of the returning of the elect (the Israelite people) to God as prophesied in the Bible. He has firm conviction in his spirit that the time is near and all Christians watchmen should arise and stand now for the fulfilment of the word of God.

O watchman, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
___________________
Zechariah 4:14 (NKJV)

14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Both the Jews and the Gentiles Christians)

More ‘spiritual’ information on Yom Kippur

More information on Yom Kippur -spiritual aspect (as expressed by those who practise) as follows:

Quote: ” Introduction -Yom Kippur is the spiritual pinnacle of the Days of Awe. On this day, God moves from the throne of Justice (where God was metaphorically “seated” for Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment) to the throne of Compassion. As we approach God on Yom Kippur, it is with the conviction that our sincere prayers will be heard and our sincere repentance accepted. For this reason, there is a Hasidic tradition that Yom Kippur, or Yom Hakippurim, should be K’Purim, as joyous as Purim.”

Inui Nefesh (Afflicting the Body) and Spiritual Rebirth

quote:”The most well-known characteristic of Yom Kippur is that it is a day of fasting. This fasting is actually part of a larger framework created by the rabbis called inui nefesh, the afflictions of the body. There are five things that we are prohibited from doing on Yom Kippur: washing, eating, drinking, having sex, and wearing leather. On Yom Kippur we refrain from activities, like eating, taking care of our bodies and making love, that affirm life. In addition, it is customary in some communities on Yom Kippur to wear a kittel, a shroud – the garment worn by Jews when they are buried. Finally, at the end of the Yom Kippur service, we recite the sh’ma, the words that are supposed to be the last ones on our lips before we die. On Yom Kippur, the peak of the period of self-transformation and teshuva (turning), we symbolize the death of our old selves and a spiritual rebirth as a new, pure soul. ” unquote

Quote: ” Torah Readings -The Torah reading for Yom Kippur morning is Leviticus 16, the account of how the sacrificial service was conducted on Yom Kippur by Aaron, the High Priest. The haftarah is Isaiah 57:14 – 58:14, a passage chosen because it discusses the true purpose of fasting. God seeks only the fast that will inspire us to begin to act with more justice and mercy, that will lead us to take greater care of those in need in our society. The Torah reading for Yom Kippur afternoon is Leviticus 18, which describes prohibited marriages and illicit sexual relationships. Some communities choose to read Leviticus 17, the “Holiness Code” in place of the traditional reading. The haftarah is the book of Jonah.”

(internet information from: The Abraham Joshua Heschel School)

Watchman's Adventure: Preparing for Yom Kippur's Fast

The watchman learned from last year’s experience that the most difficult part is not drinking water. He can stand the not eating part but needs to really fortify against dehydration. He is one of those who do not take much plain water. So the tips here are very relevant to him.

Here is a number of useful excerpts from various sources on how to prepare for this year’s Yom Kippur Fasting.

Tips for Yom Kippur Fasting Don’t make it any more difficult than it has to be; fasting is easier if you prepare your body in advance; there are things you can do to ease your fast after it has started. Above all, set goals before you start. Why do you want to fast? What motivates you to do so?

One of the primary and best-known observances of Yom Kippur is fasting. The purpose of fasting is to “afflict your soul,” a means of repenting. For some people, fasting is easy; for others, it is more difficult. But there is no particular merit in making this fast any more difficult than it has to be. Here are a few tips that have helped in the past.

Everybody’s body is different, and everybody reacts differently to fasting. These tips may or may not work for you. Above all else, you should listen to your own body and do those things that tend to make you less hungry while avoiding things that tend to make you more hungry.

A Week Before Yom Kippur: You can ease your fast by preparing your body about a week before the fast.

Taper Off Addictive or Habitual Substances

Starting on the day after Rosh Hashanah, taper off of the following:

■Coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages

■Refined sugar and candy, especially chocolate

■Cigarettes, cigars and pipes

■Anything else that you eat habitually or compulsively, that you long for when you can’t have it

Sudden deprivation of any of the above can cause withdrawal symptoms that will make it harder to fast. If you taper off of these things about a week before the fast, you will find that your withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.

Vary Your Meal Schedule

Keep in mind that for most well-fed Americans (and others for that matter), the “hunger” that you feel at meal times is simply a result of your body preparing itself to receive food at the expected time. If you always eat lunch at precisely 12:30 and dinner at precisely 6 PM, your body will start preparing to digest at those times. That is what most people think of as “hunger.” If you vary your meal schedule, you will find that it eases your feelings of hunger at meal times.

Drink Plenty of Water

The need for water is much greater than the need for food (as the watchman has found out personally last year’s Yom Kippur) and if you are like most Americans, you don’t drink enough water under ordinary circumstances. During the last few days before Yom Kippur, make sure you drink plenty of water, so you do not risk becoming dehydrated during your fast.

The Meal Before

Your last meal before Yom Kippur should be chosen carefully.

Don’t Overeat

Some people seem to think that they can “make up for” not eating on Yom Kippur by having a big meal the night before. This is a very bad idea, and actually makes it harder to fast. Have you ever noticed how you feel particularly hungry the morning after a large meal? Eat a normal sized meal.

Eat Foods That Are Easy To Digest

Don’t eat anything that will sit in your stomach like a rock, give you heartburn or leave you feeling hungry. Think of foods that don’t leave you feeling hungry the morning after.

Get Plenty of Protein and Complex Carbohydrates

These are the foods that will stick with you during the next day and give you the long-term energy you need.

During Yom Kippur

Even after the fast has started, there are things you can do to ease your fast.

Go to a place of worship/prayer Aside from the fact that you’re supposed to be there praying and repenting anyway, this will actually make it easier to fast. Being with people who are also fasting, will make it easier for you to fast. Most importantly you will find that when you focus on the matters of God, your spiritual man rises and your body’s craving subsides. Live by the Spirit and not the flesh! The watchman has found that the presence of God makes him forget about food and the Bible verse “man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” is real!

Don’t Talk About Food or Hunger

Talking about your hunger will only focus your attention on it and make it harder to fast. Don’t talk about or think about what you are going to eat after the fast. You should also avoid being around people who are talking about these things. Be with people who are spiritual and Spirit-led.

Take a Nap in the Afternoon

During the break between services in the afternoon. Have you ever noticed that full feeling that you have when you wake up from an afternoon nap? Do not exert yourselves much physically. For those who do not nap, reading God’s Word and meditating on His Word as led by the Holy Spirit will refresh you.


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Two Weeks Before the Fast: Kick Your Bad Habits

Caffeine: For caffeine addicts, going without any caffeine on Yom Kippur can make the fast particularly challenging. Caffeine is technically an addictive drug, causing a chemical dependency that can trigger unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (headaches, fatigue, nausea, poor-motor skills, irritability, inability to concentrate, etc.) that compound the ordinary physical challenges of fasting. If you have a caffeine habit, it is best to prepare yourself for a caffeine free Yom Kippur several weeks in advance. Beginning at least two weeks before the holiday slowly reduce your caffeine consumption with the goal of stopping your caffeine intake 3-4 days before Yom Kippur. If you drink two cups of coffee a day, start by reducing this to one cup, then after a few days switch to half-caffeine before switching to decaf. This way you’ll experience the withdrawal more gradually and hopefully be through the worst withdrawal symptoms before the actual day. Be sure to drink plenty of water during this time and get extra rest if you need to. You may even consider quitting altogether after the fast to avoid this problem in the future.

Fatty/Sugary/Salty Foods: Generally these are the foods people crave during a fast, by reducing or eliminating these types of foods in the weeks before you’ll help to reduce cravings during the fast.

Hydrate: While a healthy adult can generally survive for weeks without food, dehydration can set in within a few days. It’s no surprise then that most of the discomfort of fasting is caused by lack of water not the lack of food. To help reduce the effects of dehydration during a fast it is critical to properly hydrate beforehand. Most of us do not drink enough water in our normal day-to-day routines, so it is even more critical to begin hydrating in the week before the fast. Generally an adult at rest should be drinking about half their body weight in ounces of water per day (i.e. A 150 lb. man should be getting 75 ounces of water per day, or about 9.5 cups of water). The best source for hydration is water, though fluids can be obtained from a variety of sources. Beware caffeinated beverages and soft drinks though, caffeine actually causes your body to use more water, and so caffeinated beverages and soft drinks do not have the same hydrating power as an equivalent amount of water and can actually contribute to dehydration.

Prescription Medication: Should you fast If you take any prescription medications (or have any health conditions that fasting may impact or worsen)? You would need to ask your doctor for answers.


Day before the Fast: Final Preparation

Stay On Target: All of the steps taken to prepare in the week or two leading up to the fast should still be followed the day before:

■Avoid caffeine, alcohol and salty foods that will worsen the effects of not drinking and contribute to dehydration.

■Drink sufficient water. Stocking up on extra water will help stave off the effects of dehydration during the fast.

Eat Normal Sized Meals: While being well hydrated will help stave off the effects of dehydration, over eating will not stave off the effects of hunger and may make you more uncomfortable. The excess fluids needed for your body to process large meals may also lead to dehydration.

Focus on Complex Carbs: Complex carbohydrates like those found in pasta, breads, rice, fruits, vegetables, and beans (legumes) are best for maintaining your body’s muscle energy levels during the fast. This is why runners stock up on pasta the night before a marathon, but your body will get a similar benefit prior to a fast. In addition carbohydrates help your body absorb water more efficiently, so eating carbs will aid in staying hydrated during the fast. Proteins and fats do not have this same hydration benefit. Whole-grain products and fruits/vegetables that are high in fiber are best, as these will not only provide energy but are slower to digest and will keep you feeling fuller the longest.


Yom Kippur Pre-Fast Menus and Recipes

Meal of Cessation

Jews traditionally eat a Meal of Cessation – called Seudat Mafseket - before the Yom Kippur fast. A family may eat a meat meal for lunch, and then eat a hi-carb dairy dinner directly before the fast. The meat menu includes low-salt vegetable soup, breaded chicken, potatoes and dessert. The dairy menu includes egg souffle, whole wheat bagels with various spreads and fruit salad.

Yom Kippur Post-Fast Menu and Recipes

At the end of Yom Kippur, Jews traditionally share a joyful Break Fast meal with family and friends. The Yom Kippur Break Fast is generally a festive breakfast menu consisting of foods such as eggs, cheese, bread.

________________Lastly, be watchful and prayerful. Continue to stay in the presence of the Lord.