Fasting and Prayer: Keys to Spiritual and Physical Health

By Pamela Rae Schuffert presenting investigative journalism from a Biblical Christian perspective-

Every Christian needs to fast and pray. Many Christians are suffering from lack of prayer and Scriptural obedience. Many of our bodies are also sick and weak and tired from lack of healthy food and nutrition and lack of exercise, lack of fasting and lack of healthy lifestyles.

The problem is, Americans ( Christians included) HATE to admit the truth: they ARE what they EAT. Many people in America love to indulge in their food preferences without any thought of later consequences to their health or weight. Most Americans do not like to think in terms of long term effects that momentary pleasure indulgence may have on health and weight. The vast majority of Americans have divorced themselves and their food choices from reality and the consequences of those choices.

And then, when facing health issues that are directly related to habitual poor food choices, many Americans still don't get it. For some reason, the study of HEALTH and NUTRITION is lacking from many American (and Christians') lives. And yet, proper understanding of health and nutrition and food values is a vital part of life itself. It is critically important that people understand the co relation between proper food and nutrition choices, and their health, including the health of the unborn child in the womb.

Americans love to TRUST. They want to TRUST what the food manufactures say or infer on their product boxes and packages. ALL NATURAL. ADDED VITAMINS. HEALTHY. WHOLE GRAINS. And more. Americans forget that advertising to sell a product, and greed for financial gain, often taint the advertising and claims they make for their products. Deceitfulness in advertising often fools many Americans into buying products that are not so good for their health.

For example, "ALL NATURAL" can mean NOTHING as far as healthy ingredients are concerned. ARSENIC is dangerous to human consumption, yet is a naturally occurring substance. However, the FDA is now finally admitting that ARSENIC is being detected in commercially processed chickens sold to consumers! I have seen packages of process chicken in the meat aisles, with labels that include "ALL NATURAL". Heh-heh...I guess that includes ARSENIC as well, doesn't it? Hmmm. Makes you stop and think...

MSG is a known "excitotoxin" that destroys brains cells. It also encourages the body to store food as fat. yet, it is added to almost everything in the processed food department. MSG is found in chips and snacks, salad dressings, even fast food such a Kentucky Fried Chicken and more. yet because it is derived from natural food sources, it can be labeled as "ALL NATURAL." Yet, it is NOT natural for your body and has harmful consequences when used repeatedly.

There was a time when I used to love to go to church picnics and dinners. But ever since I became involved in researching food and nutrition and turning to organic foods in response, I rarely attend such functions. Christian gatherings are wonderful and Biblical. But poisoning God's people is SIN! I find it so sad, that so many Christians are sick today or in poor health, or overweight. The promises of God are filled with verses regarding health and healing. Christians then wonder WHY they are ill with so many health related problems.

But nowhere does the Bible state that God will bless our irresponsible life choices, whether regarding our food choices or exercise. The Bible says, "Faith without works (or appropriate corresponding actions) is DEAD." An overweight Christian can pray all day for God to work some kind of "miracle" resulting in instant weight loss. But if that same Christian then fails to take appropriate actions to LOSE that weight through wise and healthy food choices and an exercise plan, those prayers cannot be fully answered.

I only eat healthy and primarily vegetarian/organic foods. I only drink pure filtered or spring water or organic juices. I take only whole food source organic vitamins. GONE are the prevalent junk foods of today's society forevermore. Such foods are destroying the lives of millions of Christians and Americans. And I live on pennies a day! It is the expensive processed foods and unwholesome non-organic meat/milk and dairy that cost so much.

A bowl of organic oats and organic fruit for breakfast...organic fruit or vegetables for lunch...organic lentil (or other grains or legumes) soup for dinner with organic vegetables. This is very inexpensive yet healthy. I am planning and planning to acquire  an organic ranch/farm in the future, and make it a fully Christian/Word of God based establishment and place of refuge for the times to come. Hopefully it will be in Central or South America, far from North America and future martial law and the many tribulations to come there. It will be a sanctuary of Christian  love and fellowship, holy lifestyles, Christian morals,values and working together to make this farm/ranch functional. And a sanctuary of organic foods, and prayer and fasting.

Fasting is important for spiritual and physical health. Scientists have discovered that people fasting regularly live longer. Animals tested and even worms tested live longer with fasting and caloric restriction. Fasting gives your body a well deserved rest from digestion daily. Fasting cleanses your body from toxins. Fasting enables your body to repair itself and often heal naturally.

Fasting is important spiritually as well. Fasting energizes our bodies through the Holy Spirit increasing within us as we fast and pray. Miracles happen when we fast and pray! Jesus Christ even declares that some miracles of healing can happen only through fasting and prayer.

You can go to the following Google website  to find many excellent Christian websites listed under it explaining the power of fasting and prayer:

FASTING AND PRAYER-

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=jesus+christ+words+fasting+prayer&oq=&aq=&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&gs_l=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=c046483b3e0e4ca3&biw=1424&bih=736

Avoid those websites that are not sound Bible doctrines. The Bible explains the truth about FASTING AND PRAYER.

Mark 9:29-And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Acts 14:23-And when they had ordained elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The Bible declares that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and your eternal spirit. Christians must change their eating habits as well. They must adapt a healthy lifestyle of exercise and good nutrition, and exercise as well as fasting and prayer on a regular basis.

I changed my eating habits and lifestyle for the better and it worked. And it will work for you too.

-Pamela Rae Schuffert