Ending the fast

Today ends our church-wide 21 day season of prayer and fasting.  For those who've been on prolonged fasts, you're probably counting the hours (minutes?) to when you can eat again.  But before you plan to have the most frenzied and massive meal of your life, let me give you some good words of guidance inspired by the late Bill Bright--ending your fast slowly and progressively will extend the value of your fast and keep you from some physical problems. 

Here's Bill's input:

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually

Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.

Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly:

• Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.
• While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following:
  First day: Add a raw salad.
  Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning.
  Third day: Add a steamed vegetable.
  Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.
• Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.