Living a faithFULL Life

21 days of Prayer & Fasting

We are so excited that you are considering joining us on this 21 days of Prayer & Fasting. We have listined information below that we think will really help you in this 'journey' we corporately take each year as an entire church.


The Goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out.


Too often we mis-understand what fasting is all about and label it as 'going without!' Anytime we look at it in that manner it will never motivate us to participate in its 'life changing potential.' Fasting is NOT going without but instead REPLACING. Taking things that can be out of balance and 'wack' and refocus our lives with that which is baneful and helpful for our lives.


Fasting also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for ALL the good things God desires to bring into your life.


Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.


WE BELIEVE THESE 21 DAYS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!

Letter from Our Pastor


January 1, 2023


At the beginning of each year now for the past 12 years, we have encouraged our church family to come on a 21day of prayer and fasting journey with us. We believe there is no better way to start the year than by telling God He is the priority of our life and year. Fasting is a great way to do that. It’s us saying to God that over everything else this year, I want to ‘seek You first!’


Fasting is not a magic trick it’s just simply refraining from something for a spiritual purpose. It’s setting our lives back into proper order....and don’t forget the prayer part.

Fasting is a time of emptying, and prayer is a time of filling. We are emptying our lives of all the ‘junk and stuff’ that we accumulate along the way and developing new habits and a lifestyle that will get us great results in our lives.


In 2023, our theme for the year is ‘Living a FaithFULL life.’ We want your faith to grow and be complete in God— He has so much for our lives that we MUST make room for. Let’s get the old out so we can experience the new. I know that you may be reading this and saying: “There is no way I can do this!” You are in good company… as through the years, this has always been a common response to fasting. Going without anything is never easy- but the focus must always be on the gain and not the loss. We believe you can do it and together as a church we invite you along on the journey.


We have put together a booklet and journal for you to use each day during the Fast.  You can pick one of those up at the church or download it from the link below. It has some great information that will help you with your fasting ‘Journey.’ 


Our theme verse during the Fasting is Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT)

SEARCH me, O God, and KNOW my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and LEAD me along the path of everlasting life.


We are going to break it out into three (3) weekly focuses: SHOW me, CHANGE me, and FILL me. It’s going to be 21 days that will change your life forever! God wants to do something NEW for us, in us and through us during these very special 21 days and beyond.


Let’s live a FaithFULL life.


Serving God together,

Pastor P



Fasting & Prayer devotional and journal (click here to download PDF file)

5 Things you need to Know BEFORE you Fast



1-WHAT IS FASTING?


Fasting is to voluntarily abstain from eating/drinking for an extended period of time. “Eating” and “drinking” can repre- sent anything that is holding you back. What do you “consume” in terms of social food, intellectual food, spiritual food, and emotional food? Are these things distracting you from your relationship with God?


Are you relying on things that have nothing to do with God to get you through your day? You may not even realize you have an addiction. For example, if you “have to have” coffee every day, and you are not willing to give it up, you are addicted. Maybe your fast needs to just be about coffee. Ask God and He will show you.


Everyone doing a physical fast should consult a physician first. If you have medical issues, consider fasting TV or media. The point is, there is something God wants you to separate yourself from for three weeks so you can see Him more clearly. Don’t cheat yourself by removing yourself from the fast entirely.


FASTING GOAL: A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIVING GOD

“He must increase but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 “Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:16


You may experience many benefits from fasting (cleansing your body, breaking addictions, etc.), but the goal of fasting is to experience God. Right now your life may be all about you, what you want, and when you want it. Imagine if you separate yourself from your perceived needs (such as food) ... you may see that life is all about Him.


Examples of Biblical fasting:

  • Special revelation – Exodus 34:27-28

  • In times of war – Judges 20:26

  • Courage and wisdom – Esther 4:3, 16

  • In times of grief – Nehemiah 1:4, 1 Samuel 31:11-13; 2 Samuel 1:11-12, 1 Chronicles 10:11-12

  • Mourning – Daniel 10:1-3

  • Repentance – Jonah 3:5, Daniel 6:18

  • Ministry preparation – Matthew 4:1-2

  • Spiritual power – Mark 9:29

  • Ministry commissioning – Acts 14:23

  • Set aside self for holiness – 1 Corinthians 7:5

  • Spiritual discipline – 1 Timothy 4:15

  • Spiritual recuperation – 1 Kings 19:1-9



2-FASTING PREPARATION

Prepare your heart-


In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God appears to Solomon and explains that if His people are going through a hard time, they should seek him and follow His ways. Then, He will hear their prayers and heal them.


Be willing to hear what God says needs to change, and be willing to change. Don’t continue to sin. What are the paths He wants you to walk? How much does He want you to pray and read His Word? Tell God that you surrender your life to Him and that you want more of Him and His way.


Prepare yourself physically-


When you fast your body detoxifies. This can cause physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains or dizziness. A lack of caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. (No, the devil did not cause the headaches ... the devil’s food cake did!)

The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well- being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid in-take.


Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts; such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety.


Tips:

• Speak to you doctor before beginning your fast. • Limit your activity.
• Exercise only moderately.
• Rest as much as your schedule will permit.

• Remember you should be feeding the spirit, not sitting in a miserable state.



Prepare your motives-


Ephesians 1:3 says there are spiritual blessings assigned to us. We can never exhaust them! Who knows what God wants to give you or show you? Maybe He wants to bestow gifts such as wisdom, anointing, prayer power, teaching power, joy, or encouragement. When you eliminate things that are keeping you from focusing on God, He is able to show you things about your life that you never knew.


If you decide to eat only fruits and vegetables for your fast, it will result in cleansing of your physical body. This isnt a mind game to see if you can survive eating less or not watching ESPN, but about experiencing God. Some people ask, “What does not eating have to do with my relationship with God? Pastor Miles McPherson says, “Stop eating and find out.”




Prepare your schedule-


Decide where you will meet with God, what and when you will eat, and how you will spend your time differently. Remember, the fast is about communing with God, so don’t fill your time with distractions that will keep you from feeling hungry. For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. 


You may want to consider a schedule such as this:


           Morning

  • Begin your day in praise and worship.

  • Read and meditate on God’s Word.

  • Pray for inner strength, conviction, and growth.


    Noon

  • Read a book or dedicate time to memorize scripture.

  • Take a short prayer walk.

  • Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond.


    Evening

  • Listen to a sermon or teaching.

  • Meditate on what God is saying.

  • Finish your night in worship.


3-TYPES OF FASTS

                           Complete Fast

  • Drinking only liquids, typically water and/or light juices.

  • Broth or soup may be included as options.


              Selective Fast

  • Removing certain elements from your diet (sweets, coffee/caffeine, etc.)

  • Example: The Daniel Fast:

    •   abstaining from meats, sweets, and bread;
    •   drinking water and juice;
    •   eating only a variety of fruits and vegetables.


      Partial Fast (a.k.a. The Jewish Fast)


  • Abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon.

  • Fast during specific times of day, e.g. 6 AM-6 PM, or from sunrise to sunset.

    Juice Fast (one of the most popular and effective fasts)

  • Consuming water and hearty vegetable and fruit juices instead of solid food.

  • Whey protein is often included.


                  Soul Fast


  • Common for:

    •   anyone new to fasting food;
    •   those with health issues that prevent them from fasting food;
    •   those wanting to refocus specific areas of life that are out of balance.
  • Suggestions: Go without social media, leisure shopping, watching television, etc.


More information on The Daniel Fast:


Foods to Include:


All fruits:  These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. (Examples: apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, and watermelon.)


All vegetables:  These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. (Examples: artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, radishes, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, yams, zucchini, and veggie burgers.)


All wholegrains:  Wholewheat,brownrice,millet,quinoa,oats,barley,grits,wholewheatpasta,wholewheattortillas,rice cakes, and popcorn. All nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, and sesame. Also, nut butters, e.g. peanut butter and almond butter.


All legumes:  These can be canned or dried. (Examples: pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans.)


All quality oils: Including olive, canola, grape seed, peanut and sesame.


Beverages: Spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.


Other:  Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.


Foods to Avoid:


All meat and animal products: beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.


All dairy products: milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.


All sweeteners sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses and cane juice.


All leavened bread: all breads containing yeast (includes Ezekiel Bread) and baked goods.


All refined and processed food products: artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.


All deep fried foods: including chips and French fries.


All solid fats: shortening, margarine, lard, and foods high in fat.


Beverages: Coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.


You will probably need to cook a vast majority of your meals “from scratch. That’s because so many of the prepared foods include sugar and chemicals, which are both no-no’s on the Daniel Fast.


READ THE LABELS. You will be amazed and maybe even a bit discouraged as you try to find prepared foods that are sugar-free and chemical-free. But make sure you read the labels.


USE FROZEN VEGETABLES. Obviously, you will eat more vegetables on the Daniel Fast. The good news is that the vegetables found in the frozen food cases are often cheaper and even more nutritious than many vegetables found in the produce section.


The Daniel Fast is a great time to find new recipes and try new foods that may become family favorites. Keep in mind, this fast became a way of life for Daniel. May the Lord inspire you to maintain some of the healthier disciplines as a lifestyle of purity, well-being and self-control long after the 21 days are completed.

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SAMPLE MENUS:

SAMPLE MENU 1: FRUITS & VEGETABLES FAST

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Breakfast
Fruit smoothie with protein powder
Mid-morning Snack
Fresh fruit or fresh vegetables
Lunch
Raw vegetable salad with light dressing* and vegetable broth soup
Mid-afternoon Snack
Fresh fruit or fresh vegetables
Dinner
Fresh salad with light dressing* and steamed or grilled vegetables

SAMPLE MENU 2: LIQUIDS ONLY


Breakfast
Fruit smoothie with protein powder
Mid-morning Snack
Herbal tea or vegetable broth soup
Lunch
Raw juiced vegetables
Mid-afternoon Snack
Fresh fruit juice or fruit smoothie with protein
Dinner
Vegetable juice or vegetable broth soup

SAMPLE MENU 3: MODIFIED DANIEL FAST


Breakfast
1-2 servings whole grains with fresh fruit juice
Mid-morning Snack
Fresh fruit or fresh chopped vegetables
Lunch
1-2 servings whole grains; fresh salad with legumes and light dressing*
Mid-afternoon Snack
Fresh fruit juice or fruit smoothie with protein
Dinner
1-2 servings whole grains; fresh salad with legumes and light dressing


* Suggestions for light dressing ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, fresh or dried herbs, salt, pepper. No preservatives.




4-DURING YOUR FAST

To Eat or Not To Eat is Not The Question


As you continue to fast, you will realize that you don’t experience hunger pains as often as you thought you would. Without a preoccupation with food, you will be surprised at your ability to be sustained for a number of days without eating food and how you will take advantage of your time to seek Jesus more diligently. There is no magic in simply missing meals in the name of spirituality. The important thing to remember is to hear God speak and obey what you hear.


Prayer Life During the Fast


There is a question you will need to answer. When you are fasting, will you seek Him, give Him a listening ear and the quality time He deserves? He will constantly separate you from dependence on the world. Consequently, your time alone with Him may become more frequent than you originally planned, and needless to say, your prayer life will greatly improve.


How appropriate that Jesus and Moses spent extensive time in the desert alone with God. It is ironic that the Hebrew name for desert is “madbar, meaning “to speak. You will hear His voice throughout the day in a powerful way. Wisdom will cry out to you in the streets. As the stars in heaven declare the glory of God, so every corner will reveal to your willing soul the mysteries of His Kingdom that have been withheld from the rulers of this age (Proverbs 8:1-3, Psalm 19, and 1 Corinthians 2:7). You will hear Him when you are driving, talking on the phone, or counseling a friend. Expect to hear Him loud and clear.


Fighting Doubt and Fighting the Good Fight


During your fast, one of your biggest enemies will be your mind and your memory. Your mind and emotions will constantly work together to bring order to your world, order according to what you have been taught order to be. Eating at certain times each day has been part of your life training. Fasting will make no sense to your mind.


In Matthew 14:22-32, when Peter was walking on the water, he found himself in the middle of a miracle, something that did not make sense to his mind. When Peter’s mind revealed to him the supernatural nature of what he was doing, it convinced him that it was impossible, based on what his mind knew to be normal. Consequently, Peter sank, believing logically what his mind told him, rather than what the Spirit convinced him to believe by faith.


There will be times that your mind will realize how far out on a limb your faith has taken you and you will be faced with a decision: Do you give up or keep moving forward? Galatians 5:24 tells us that the flesh is at war against the Spirit. It cannot be trained or negotiated with. The flesh must die. It must be crucified. Always remember, faith goes all the way. God has not given you the Spirit of fear but one of Sonship, by which we call Abba Father (Romans 8:15).


When you feel as though you want to give up, you must ask yourself a few questions. Is the pain you are experiencing worth the prize you are pursuing? If you do give up, where and what will you go back to? In John 6:66-68, the disciples were asked by Jesus if they wanted to go back to their old lifestyle. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of life.”



WHAT SHOULD I TELL FAMILY AND FRIENDS?


A frequently asked question about fasting is: Should I tell people that I am fasting?” Since fasting is a discipline of self-denial and consecration unto the Lord, constant discussion about it will be a distraction. People will bombard you with countless questions about your health, offer you suggestions about your diet, and tell you horror stories about the dangers of fasting. This type of input during your fast will be a major distraction.


For maximum benefit, it would be best for you not to tell anyone about your fast. Jesus was against the religious leaders drawing attention to themselves by giving people the impression they were suffering for the Lord (Matthew 6:16-18). The religious leaders did this in an attempt to puff themselves up and obviously defeated the purpose of their fasting.


If your fast lasts only one to seven days, it will be easy to conceal it. As time goes by and you begin to lose weight, it will become difficult to avoid questions about your appearance. Do your best to avoid looking dehydrated and keep yourself well groomed.


Eventually there will be those who find out that you are fasting, but you can turn this situation into an edifying one. There is a balance between drawing attention to yourself and giving glory to God. You have to decide when and how to discuss it, because your testimony can be used to encourage others to fast. You should “...be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. (1 Peter 3:15).




5 AFTER YOUR FAST


Ending your fast properly is just as important as beginning your fast properly. Just as you prepared yourself to begin a fast, you must prepare yourself to stop or break your fast.


Here are a few questions you can ask yourself as you end your fast:

  • What are the key lessons learned?

  • What new habits or disciplines do you want to keep?

  • What new dietary rules will you follow?

  • What foods will you begin eating or not eat anymore?

  • What dreams and visions have you seen pertaining to your personal walk with the Lord or your ministry?


Get in the Fast Lane"


Before you end your fast and establish a regular eating schedule, it will be important to set aside time to get in the “Fast Lane” on a regular basis. This is vital if you are going to apply and live out the lessons learned during your fast.



Fasting regularly will help you maintain a level of discipline and spirituality that is necessary to hold the ground attacked by Satan.


Regular fasts will keep the flesh in submission and serve as a reminder as to Who is in charge of your life. Choose a regular fasting schedule to follow. There are those who have chosen to fast one twenty-four hour period per week. Others fast sunrise to sunset, one day per week. You must pray and design a format that you feel God wants for you, a system that you can be faithful to and consistent with.


Physically


Controlling your eating habits when you end your fast will be important. After you fast, you will feel good about yourself, that you deserve a break today, tomorrow, and the next day. Remember, the abuse of food, not food itself, is the root of many evils. If you allow food to take its place back on the throne of your heart, you are allowing bad habits to take root and push God farther from the center of your heart than He was before you began your fast.


Emotionally


Satan will be working to take back the ground he has surrendered over to the Lord and he will use your emotional vulnerability to accomplish his goals. It could be an intense time of discouragement leading to depression. Re- member to be mindful of this and to eat wisely once you break your fast.


In 1 Kings chapters 18-19, when Elijah is challenged by the 450 prophets of Baal who all followed Jezebel in a most vile and immoral religion, God confronts and defeats them through one man, Elijah. But after this great spir- itual victory, Elijah finds himself running for his life from one woman, Jezebel. She had threatened his life and he felt alone. He became incredibly discouraged and asked God to end his life. Elijah experienced a supernatural and spiritual high, followed by an emotional low. You very well could experience this same type of roller coaster ride.


Expect Results Spiritually


As you enter this time of heightened spiritual devotion, be aware that Satan will do everything he can to pull you away from your prayer and Bible reading time. When you feel the enemy trying to discourage you, immedi- ately go to God in prayer and ask Him to strengthen your resolve in the face of temptations.


The enemy makes you a target because he knows that fasting is the most powerful of all Christian disciplines and that God may have something very special to show you as you wait upon Him and seek His face. Satan does not want you to grow in your faith and will do anything from making you hungry and grumpy to bringing up trouble in your family or at work to stop you. Make prayer your shield against such attacks.


Isaiah 58:6; 8-9: 6 No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 8Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here, He will quickly reply.


Results of Fasting:

  • Healing (Marriage, relationships, emotions, physical)

  • Holiness (Not perfection, but that your life goes back on the right path)

  • Protection

  • Answers

Click Here to download fasting & Prayer Daily Devotional & Journal

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Fasting HELP videos

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