Resist the urge to have that “last big feast” before the fast. ■ Scale down your normal activities. 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. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. So, start slowly. ■ Be alert! Gently boil three carrots, two stalks of celery, one turnip, two beats, a half head of cabbage, a quarter of a bunch of parsley, a quarter of an onion, and a half clove of garlic. Receiving God’s best blessing from a fast requires solid commitment. You will discover more time to pray and seek God’s face. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Prayer, Fasting, and Worship Overview Goals • Spiritual: deepen the roots of prayer and connection to God • Personal: learn about fasting and prayer; integrate this spiritual practice more fully • Community: engage in a shared experience around a spiritual discipline Expectations and Structure • Fasting one day a … TEXT : Exo. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may engage in prayer, meditation, or spiritual reading. You may have two pieces of whole-grain “Melba toast.” These meals are not to contain oils of any kind. Another great way to prepare for your fast is to practice what I call “Spiritual Breathing.” The concept is simple, but it has changed my own life and that of millions of others. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. Headaches or stomachaches may be a result of salt, sugar, or caffeine withdrawal. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation , fasting and prayer can also effect change on a much grander scale. Many people who have successfully completed extended fasts tell of feeling a nearness to God that they have never before known, but others who have honestly sought His face report no particular outward results at all. Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. It may be half an hour or one hour or more. Avoid rigorous -climbing, cycling or jogging. In fact, it has been ignored for so long that it is difficult to find information on the “how-to’s” of this life-changing experience. However, I have found that unless you see them daily, they do not consider your skipped meal much of a concern. Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13). However during subsequent fasts, I have felt strongly impressed to continue my vitamin and herbal therapy and also using psyllium. But with each passing day, His call grew stronger and more clear. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet. In this prayer guide you will find three parts: First, a morning prayer. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist denomination, fasted every Wednesday and Friday and required all of his clergy to do the same. Stay away from starches like pastas, potatoes, rice, or bread (except for “Melba toast”) for at least a week. We’re asking our entire church family to join together in united prayer and fasting … By all means, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. While your body is in the resting mode, your stomach shrinks and your intestines become idle, so solid food must be re-introduced very slowly to avoid kidney failure or digestive distress. This type of fast will provide you with more energy than absolute or water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid food that you can chew. 14:23; 17:19; Jos. I have done enough.”. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life. 89:7; Eccl. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2). Fasting is not just denying yourself food. Facebook Comments. If you are beginning a juice fast, there are certain juices you may wish to avoid and certain ones that are especially beneficial. I know the prospect of going without food for an extended period of time may be of concern to some. While fasting, if you dissipate your energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the neglect of spending special time with God, you will starve both physically and spiritually. Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Fasting. Several capsules can be taken throughout the day with plenty of water. A few recipes and my comments are on this page, as well as a helpful schedule. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider: The first two or three days are usually the hardest. He assumed that we would fast. During a 3-day fast, this struggle can intensify toward the end of the second day. Mixed in lukewarm water, it becomes like Jell-O. Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days. The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. Short naps are helpful as well. Continuing aches in a certain area of the body usually means elimination of fatty tissue is going on in that area, which is not harmful. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders. Another key factor in maintaining optimum health during a fast is to limit your physical activity. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation, I am convinced that when God’s people fast with a proper Biblical motive-seeking God’s face not His hand-with a broken, repentant, and contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nation and world. True spiritual fasting focuses on God. When I first undertook an extended fast, I had a difficult time finding information on the nature of a Biblical fast, how to start, what to expect physically and spiritually, and how to terminate a fast. Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: 24:14, Ps. In the morning you may feel like you are on top of the world, but by evening you may be wrestling with the flesh-sorely tempted to raid the refrigerator and counting how many more days are left in your fast. Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me. Why are you fasting? Read and meditate on God’s Word, preferably on your knees. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4). To counteract temptations like these, take extra time with the Lord to spend with God. Step outside for fresh air and a moderate walk of a mile or two, and talk to the Lord as you walk along. However, do not become so caught up in praying for yourself and others that you forget about simply reverencing and praising God. Salad of grated carrots and grated cabbage, with half an orange squeezed over it. Fruit juices are “cleansers” and are best taken in the morning. Follow the guidelines in the Physical Preparations and Maintaining Nutritional Balance and Health parts of this website. Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale. Paul went on an absolute fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9). Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia. PRAYER FOR THE FEAR OF GOD. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth. God will honor you for your faithfulness. These pages are designed to answer your practical questions about fasting and ease any concerns you might have. Coldness, bad breath and heightened body odor, changes in elimination (constipation or diarrhea), light-headedness, changes in sleeping and dreaming patterns, aches and pains. Forgiveness. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Others may have fasted for years. How long and what type of fast is right for you, How to prepare yourself spiritually and physically, How to manage your schedule while fasting, How to deal with the responses of friends and loved ones, How to make your spiritual experience the best it can be, How to maintain nutritional balance and health from beginning to end (including specific juice and broth recipes), How to finish your fast and return to your normal schedule in a HEALTHY way. Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach’s sake. Also consider journaling your thoughts, prayers, and insights. Listen for His leading. And they are right. But praying for our own needs and interceding for others are also important reasons to fast and pray. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake. In the spring and summer of 1994, I had a growing conviction that God wanted me to fast and pray for forty days for revival in America and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in obedience to our Lord’s command. God was calling me to fast, and He would not make such a call without a specific reason or purpose. ■ Set aside time each day to seek God in prayer and fasting. I want to share with you what I have learned and what has helped me. It is a tool you can use when there is opposition to God's Will. Your motive in fasting must be to glorify God, not to have an emotional experience, and not to attain personal happiness. Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the … A partial fast is described in the book of Daniel. After boiling about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes. 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer; How to Begin Your Fast: Steps 1-4; Step 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule; Step 6: Break Your Fast Gradually; Step 7: Expect Results From Your Fast; How to Experience and Maintain Personal Revival; 6 Vital Questions About Prayer Herb tea with a drop of honey. Prayer is the open communication between us and God. Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. You should protect your health. The natural sugars in juices provide energy, and the taste and strength are motivational to continue your fast. YOU SHOULD STOP FASTING IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE PAIN OR SWELLING. Further, if you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will linger for days. Families may be inconvenienced, and temptations to eat can be overwhelming. Alfalfa tablets can help control bad breath and cleanse the system. Here are some helpful tips to guide you as you participate. And it is for the battle against the sin and weakness inside us. The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you! Also avoid meats, dairy products, and any fats or oils for a week or more. Set Your Objective. Avoid caffeinated drinks. For an extended fast, I recommend water and fruit and vegetable juices. Get alone for an unhurried time of “seeking His face.”. RCCG 30 DAYS FASTING & PRAYER GUIDE. Any sort of fast may sometimes leave you feeling impatient and irritable. Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. After the first two weeks of an extended fast, many of these symptoms subside. Since vegetable juices are “restorers” and “builders,” they are best taken in the afternoon. On the other hand fasting is defined as going without food … Bring your personal needs before the Lord, intercede for your loved ones, your friends, your church, your pastor, your community, your nation, and the world. It is exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spiritual. Falls away from my shoulders, let your freedom unfold. Prudence and caution are in order. As you begin your fast, you may hear from concerned loved ones and friends who urge you to protect your health. I strongly believe that attitude is a result of a wrong interpretation of our Lord’s teaching and that it is a trick of the enemy who does not want us to fast, nor to share with your loved ones, neighbors and friends the benefits of fasting. To begin, you may experience some inner conflict when you deny yourself the pleasure of eating delicious food. We express our discontent with our sinful selves and our longing for more of … If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). Build up your spiritual muscles so that you will be prepared in a period of several months to fast for an extended 40 day period. Fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual admonitions. But they usually have more weight when done together to honor our Heavenly father. When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. Daniel continued to petition his God in the ninth chapter of the book bearing his name. Make this a priority in your fasting. Stop before you feel full. When your motives are right, God will honor your seeking heart and bless your time with Him in a very special way. Try to drink fresh juices, if possible. You may sprinkle this with two tablespoonfuls of raw wheat germ, and sweeten it with honey, but not over one tablespoonful, At noon you may have a salad of grated carrots, cabbage, and celery, with one cooked vegetable and one slice of “Melba toast.”. During the day, you may have all the distilled water you wish to drink. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God. If friends and family express concern for your health, ease their fears by telling them that you will stop fasting the moment you feel you are harming your body or if the Lord leads you to end your fast. Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus. My favorite juice is a mixture of 100% pure white grape juice and peach juice. Silymarin tablets may also be helpful, for they are believed to protect and enhance the cleansing of the liver. The more time you spend with God in fellowship, worship, and adoration of Him, and the more you read and meditate upon His Word, the greater your effectiveness will be in prayer and the more meaningful your fast will be. The juice is available in frozen cans under the Welch label. Tips for Fasting and Prayer Jan 05, 2021 Our 21 days of fasting and prayer begin on Monday, Jan. 11! Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Take one teaspoon of psyllium seed powder morning and evening. EFFECTIVE PRAYER 4 Fasting is the willingness to abstain from food for a period of time for the purpose of drawing closer to God. Dizziness may be caused by a sudden change in position, such as rising suddenly from a chair. Ask yourself, What am I allowing to come between me and God’s presence? Because caffeine is a stimulant, it has a more powerful effect on your nervous system when you abstain from food. DAY PRAYER & FAST. This proved to be the most important forty days of my life. Lightening your workload and cutting down on strenuous exercise would be a very good idea to maintain your health and your morale. Even a 3-day fast requires reasonable precautions. Eventually, people will notice you are not eating. For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. King David said, “I humble myself through fasting.”. Stop for a second or two, then recover. I don’t want that to happen to you. God gave his Law to Jacob’s descendants, the people of Israel. The first is physical. Him to provide guidance as you Eph. Boil sliced potatoes, carrots, and celery in water. Begin pursuing your divine dream today and make the rewards of fasting part of your lifestyle. None of those men had a “formula fast” that was the only “right” way. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). Apply what you learnt in tangible actions. These products will restart the digestion cycle and you will again feel hunger pangs. As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance. 18:21, Deut. Although the water fast seemed to be the custom of the prophet, there was a three-week period in which he only abstained from “delicacies,” meat, and wine (Daniel 10:3). Prayer and fasting are powerful ways to prepare to receive His presence, and all that He has planned for your life, as well as grow deeper in your walk with Him as you proclaim, More of you and less of me. We won’t keep secret the glorious deeds and the mighty miracles of the Lord. You exhale by confessing your sins immediately when you become aware of them, and you inhale by inviting the Holy Spirit to re-take control of your life. Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. If you do, they may subject you to a lot of questions that you may not want to answer. Sing praises to Him whenever you please. Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life—and make you a channel of revival to others. As I waited upon the Lord, the Holy Spirit gave me the assurance that America and much of the world will, before the end of the year 2000, experience a great spiritual awakening. When we fast, we turn away from gratifying our natural appetites and turn toward feasting on God and his Word. To seek something personally from God’s hand or to seek His face in worship, praise and thanksgiving? That seems to be a favorite time for the “self” to rise up and say, “This is as far as I want to go. Read His Word and pray during what were mealtimes. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Persons with office jobs, pastors, or homemakers may find it easier to continue their duties and fast for longer periods of time. But I assure you, if done properly, fasting will not only prove to be a spiritual blessing, but physical blessing as well. You must devote yourself to seeking God’s face, even (and especially) during those times in which you feel weak, vulnerable, or irritable. I have spent fifty years studying God’s Word and listening to His voice, and His message could not have been more clear. Also, if you are under any type of medication, make sure you talk to your doctor before changing your regime. DOWNLOAD RCCG 30 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYER GUIDE NOVEMBER 2020. When you are assured that you are in good health, you are ready to begin your fast. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, “when you fast,” not if you fast. The awesome power can be released through you as you fast through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Fast for one meal a day, or one day a week, or one week a month. These are total fasts—no food (solid or liquid) and no water. As an act of faith, trust Him to empower you. Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. I also recommend weaning yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast. This is especially true if you are new at fasting. Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon. Why are you fasting? If so, be certain, without doubt, that God is leading you. As you consider fasting, we want to encourage you to listen to the Holy Spirit. As I began my fast, I was not sure I could continue for forty days. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician’s supervision. January 2020 - fasting prayer guide week 3. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Off-the-shelf juice products are acceptable, as long as they are 100% juice with no sugar or other additives. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast will signal your mind, stomach, and appetite that less food is acceptable. ON PRAYER AND FASTING. Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. With this conviction, I entered my fast with excitement and expectancy mounting in my heart, praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” It is a deliberate abstinence from physical satisfaction to believe a greater spiritual goal. In light of what is happening around the world because of COVID-19, we want to invite you to join us for a day of fasting and prayer on this Saturday, April 4, and we’re providing you this guide to help you in your times of prayer.
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