Many people must take medication on a daily basis that requires a meal before consumption. How do they fast?

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Tim Potts
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Member of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Student at John Brown University
-Let the church change the world and rather than the world change the church-

If you get a chance, check out Richard Baxter's Christian Directory.

There are different levels of fasting, with not taking any food or drink other than water being about the most extreme. Other forms can be to reduce the quantity and quality of food eaten. For example, eating one or two meals per day would qualify as a fast, although less rigorous than complete denial. For a person who must take medication and eat food, I would recommend doing one of the following:

[1] Eat meals only when medication needs be be taken (if medication needs be be taken 3 or more times per day, this would not work).
[2] Reduce the quantity of food eaten at meals - say cut the portions in half or eat only enough as needed by the medication.
[3] Limit the quality of food, say eat only plain bread and water for a the period of fasting.

Some quarters of the church have historically fasted weekly by not eating meat on Fridays. It is hard to find people who do this anymore.

Scott

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Scott Roberts
Ruling Elder, Lakeside Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Southlake, Texas

I've seen it done several ways as well:

1. Total fast except for water
2. Juice fast (drink only juice or water)
3. Eating only vegetables (the idea being taken from Daniel 1)

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David Kicklighter
East Lanier Community Church (PCA)
Buford, GA

I never recommend a water fast to someone on medication. If someone must take medication and intends to fast, they can do a vegetable juice fast. The vegetable juices will help protect the stomach from the meds.

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Dan McPherson
Creekside, PA
Faith OPC - Indiana, PA

“The ultimate destiny of every individual is decided by the will of God, and blessed it is that such be the case. If it were left to our wills, the ultimate destination of us all would be the lake of fire.” -- A. W. Pink

Yeah, and it would be good to consult a doctor first.

Yeah, a liscensed Naturopath.