A Personal Invitation from Pastor Steve

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. It 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 our lives. 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.

God considers fasting important.
The Bible contains 92 passages referring to it. Many of our heroes of the faith, including Moses, Elijah, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel and Paul, fasted at crucial points in their journeys with God. Fasting played an important role in the life and ministry of Jesus. After being anointed by the Holy Spirit, He was led into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days (Matthew 4:2). During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave specific instructions on how to fast Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3

As your Pastor I have personally experienced the transformative power that comes through times of personal fasting.   I have literally dozens of “life changing” moments that have been direct results of extended seasons of Prayer & Fasting.    The bottom line is – Fasting along with the disciplined Prayer – moves the heart of God and unlocks answers to prayer!   It is my sincere prayer that you will participate on some level and I am 100% confident that if you do God will reward you richly.

– Pastor Steve

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Types of Fasts

Fasting is fully customizable to your specific needs & situation.   The exact method of your fast as less important than the discipline and dedication that accompanies your fast.   Fast requires a sacrifice – so as mentioned above, fasting should pose a level of challenge/sacrifice to you personally.    As a church we are calling on our members to go on a 21 Prayer & Fasting journey together.   This does not mean you have to abstain from eating food for 21 days.    Many will choose a series of short periods of fasting during the 21 day duration.  

Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option. Juice fasts will provide you with more energy than water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid, chewable food. (Consult Physician)

Some Examples of Complete Fasting:
1-  Day Fast (First Day of the Week for 3 weeks)– followed by 6 days of healthy eating & exercise.
– 3 Day Fast (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday – for 3 weeks)
– 7 – 10 Day Fast (Advanced level – consult physician)

Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.   The 21 Day Daniel Fast is a very popular fast for Christians and has a lot of great online support and recipes.    Visit 21 Day Daniel Fast website here for great resources & helpful tools.     

Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. Soul fasts target idols that we have allowed to take up residence in our hearts and minds.  Things we turn to rather than God that have become idols and gods to us. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

What Is Biblical Fasting?

Biblical fasting can be defined as abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Simply going without food because it is not available or for medical reasons is not biblical fasting. There must be a spiritual motivation to qualify a fast as biblical.

In his book “A Hunger for God,” John Piper writes, “Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God. Christian fasting is not only the spontaneous effect of superior satisfaction in God, it is also a chosen weapon against every force in the world that would take that satisfaction away.”

Some Biblical Examples and Purposes of Fasting

  • Jesus fasted to acknowledge His dependence and to gain spiritual strength through reliance on the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. He did this before He began His public ministry (Luke 4:1-2).
  • Nehemiah fasted for confession, repentance and favor in the sight of the king to get permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4).
  • David humbled himself, asking God to intervene because of injustice (Psalm 35:13). In 2 Samuel 12:17-23, he fasted for healing and miraculous intervention.
  • Mordecai and the Jews fasted upon hearing the news of Haman’s wicked plot for their extermination (Esther 4:3).
  • The early church fasted while worshiping and committing their ministry to the Lord. They also sought the Lord through fasting for guidance and confirmation during the appointment of elders (Acts 13:2, 14:23).
  • Jesus expected His disciples to fast, but He did not command it (Matthew 6:16).

Wrong Motivations for Fasting

  • To be seen by others (Matthew 6:18). Piper writes, “The critical issue is not whether people know you are fasting but whether you want them to know so that you can bask in their admiration.”
  • To be justified by God (Luke 18:9-14). In a parable to people “confident of their own righteousness” (New International Version), Jesus spoke of two men. One said, “I fast twice a week.” The other said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Only one “went home justified before God.”
  • To be commended to God (1 Corinthians 8:8). Food will not commend us to God; we are neither worse if we do not eat nor the better if we do. Fasting does not cause us to “earn” something from God, but it helps us to be more receptive to what He wants to do in and through us.

Right Motivations for Fasting

  • Repentance.
  • For spiritual strength against an enemy attack.
  • To awaken a spiritual hunger for God that may be dulled because of “desires for other things” (Mark 4:19, NIV).
  • To test and see what desires control us.
  • To forfeit good things for the better and best.
  • To express our ache for His return. Jesus said, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (John 4:32, NIV).
  • To demonstrate our love and desire for God above all things (even above His gifts).
  • To divide our bread with the poor. “To loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6-7, NIV).

 

Preparing for a Water-Only or Juice Fast

Beginners in fasting should start slow. Progressive steps help our bodies adjust to the drop in food intake. You can start by fasting for one meal or for one day.

Before the Fast

Those planning for an extended fast (more than 14 days) should always consult a doctor beforehand. Prepare mentally and physically by cutting down on food intake one week before the actual fast and taking on a vegetarian diet to control cravings for food. Reduce intake of strong beverages like coffee, tea or soft drinks as well. Drink plenty of water.

During the Fast

Spend the time that you would normally use for meals to pray and seek the Lord. Keep a journal on what the Lord has been showing you and teaching you.

Continue to drink plenty of water. Apple or watermelon juice are great morale boosters. Sleep early — the first few days of the fast are usually the most challenging. Persevere through this period. Consult your doctor about any severe headaches or bodily reactions.

Ending the Fast

Do not break extended fasts abruptly. Start by taking small portions of fruits, vegetables and liquids. Pace yourself to return slowly to your normal diet in about a week.

Do not have a big celebration feast when breaking a fast! Your body may not be used to the sudden increased intake. Be cautious, and always consult your doctor if you are unsure of your physical condition.


 

The Prayer Journey is Key Goal of Fasting.

The ultimate goal for fasting to focus your full attention on God as you sacrifice your own wants, desires and needs before God – looking to Him and Him alone for your provision and comfort during your time of self-sacrifice.   When you pray and fast – you are declaring to God that He is the only thing you need.  Desiring to hear His voice above everything else.   And begging Him to answer the cries of your hearts and change your heart to reflect Him to others.   Prayer & Fasting is a sacred discipline that has eternal and immeasurable impacts on the life of a believer.

However you chose to fast – (whichever method you decide) – make sure that God led you to do it.  Not Man.  Your goal in fasting is not to please man, but to connect with God.    Ask God in advance how and if He wants you to enter into a season of Prayer & Fasting.   Ask Him how long and what method to use.    You may find that He will ask you to fast for 3 days during this 21 day journey, but He wants you to wake up every day for 21 days at 5am and spend 1 uninterrupted hour each morning