OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Before You Fast" by Anita Bell.]

If you have ever fasted without result or want to take your prayer and fasting to the next level but don’t know how to go about it, Before You Fast is a must-read. This book is a guide on how to condition your mind and body before fasting. To make its points clearer to the readers, the book makes use of references from the Bible, including the story of Esther and the story of the battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites. Rather than just assume or state what she feels, the author carried out her research and drew from the abundant knowledge of the scriptures. With her experience as a preacher, she summarized what she learned about fasting into one small book, so everyone can read and understand it.

The author, Anita Bell, has taken an approach that I love and appreciate, and I believe other readers will too. She writes like she is having a dialogue with the readers and even asks questions that keep the readers engaged like they are in an actual conversation with another person. For example, in the first chapter, after the author talked about dishonorable and honorable fasting, she asks the reader to consider the state of their heart before their fast. I found her question stirring because I had never thought to do so before. The author also writes straightforwardly with simple, easy-to-read words. Despite having just 31 pages and 14 chapters, the book feels complete and coherent, with references from the Bible to back each point up.

I also like how the author made use of scriptures from both the Old and New Testament rather than just sticking to one testament because it allows readers to see how much the author is in line with the Bible and how cohesive and consistent her book is in relation with the whole Bible rather than just one testament; this also added to how interesting and vibrant the book was because each reference is a Bible story with a lesson to learn. After reading this book, I was very satisfied with how well put together it was.

While I enjoyed reading Before You Fast, I felt like other readers might find it too brief or may have preferred a more in-depth explanation, but I have no issues with the way it is. I hated nothing about this book and believe that the author put a lot of work into making it as concise as possible, which is perfect for readers like me with short attention.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because of the absence of error and its approach to educating its readers through a brief, straightforward, and easy-to-understand writing style. I found no errors, so I think the editors did an exceptional job. I would recommend this book to adults over the age of 18 who are learning to fast and would love to get better results from fasting and praying. Children older than 7 years and teenagers who are learning to fast can also read this book to learn a thing or two about fasting.

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Before You Fast
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Thanks for the review! A very interesting topic. My father used to fast every week and we had to learn how to accommodate him during transition. Ons of my friend didn’t break his fast the right way and gained extreme weight. So sad!
Looking forward to reading it!

Never knew there was som much thought and process behind fasting. Glad to learn something new through this book. Thank you for such a well written review!

Great review! It really gives an insight on the conjectures of fasting.

When I saw the cover, I thought first of just fasting, as some people do, combining a specific diet. Thank you for your beautiful review. I also found interesting about the writing style of the author.

Great I never knew these thought behind fasting

Am not really a person that fast because i can't do without food. Thanks for the insightful review.

Being an Asian I am aware of the thoughts that go behind fasting. Would definitely want to read this to know more. Good review!

Most believers fast without the use of scriptures from the bible...I am really happy that the author have highlighted on the importantance and the use of scriptures while fasting..this is an eye opener.

Looks like a must read given the insightful review and I also happen to enjoy conversational-type of writing. Thank you for the honest review

Great Review. I personally feel , not excluding myself, that people don't know a lot about fasting or how to go about it properly or the do it for the right reason. I think this book would really help understand this concept and enlighten people on how to fast appropriate to their health and body orientation.

Interesting topic. It looks this is an easy-to-read book. Thank you for the recommendation.

Being a Muslim, who is often fasting along with being a convent student and having spent most of my time among Christians, i can very well understand what the author is trying to say. I would love to read this book. Thanks for your review

The fact that the author did a lot of research for this book makes it interesting enough. Thank you for this interesting review!

This book is clearly going to be helpful for people who want to embark on a religious fast, especially Christians. I certainly wouldn’t mind reading this book. Well done on the insightful review.