When someone hears the word fasting, they envision a thin, frail man sitting in a lotus position, weak with hunger, consuming nothing but water. But unless you have a slow metabolism, today, fasting on water has become a near impossible exercise for a body that has been fed on the modern diet. It’s hard to tell this to someone who believes juice fasting is a compromise, cheating, not real fasting. But I can tell you juice fasting is as rigorous today as water fasting was in Christ’s day. The reason for this is not obvious unless you have an understanding of what goes on in the body during fasting.
Cells are like tiny sponges; they absorb what you breathe, eat, drink and apply to your skin. Over years of poor eating and exposure to environmental toxins, there is a buildup within the body. During water fasting, these toxins are released at a rapid rate creating great discomfort. Water fasting can be a hellish experience where more time is spent feeling weak and sick on toxins than enjoying deepened fellowship with God. The juice of fruits and vegetables are filled with healing and cleansing properties that allow the body to gently and safely detoxify. Juice fasting can become an effective stepping-stone to water fasting.
I tread lightly here because I do believe in a God of miracles. If you are clear that God has called you to a water fast then He will give you the strength to get through. But I also believe in a God of wisdom. After one has cleansed years of toxins through juice fasting the wonder of water fasting will then be within reach.
I have received many email questions about the fasting while working at a physically demanding job or fasting with diabetes. Take a look at the Daniel Diet, which is essentially a raw fast. Consider doing a raw fast on demanding days and juice fasting on weekends when there can be more rest.
Also, your goals and motives will help determine the best kind of fast. If you are looking to have a weekend of prayer and solitude, then a restricted juice fast or even a two day water fast may be the best option. If you are interested in a longer detoxification period, then a 10 to 30 day juice fast fits best with your goal.
For comprehensive information on the physical and spiritual aspects of juice fasting, check out the book: Fasting To Freedom