Corporately, City Church is encouraging a 7 day fast from January 17th – January 23rd closing the fast together at Seek on Saturday, January 23rd, at 7PM at City Church Central on Rio Road.
How to Begin
Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2). Thank God in advance for how He will work during this time of fasting.
Deciding What to Fast
The type of fast you go on is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. You may also choose to fast from a particular activities such as television, internet interaction or video games. Remember to replace that time with prayer and time seeking the Lord.
Deciding How Long
You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow. Corporately, City Church is encouraging a 7 day fast from January 17th – January 23rd, closing the fast together at Seek on Saturday, January 23rd at 7PM at City Church Central on Rio Road.
What to Expect
When you fast from food your body detoxifies, elimating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort, such as headaches and irritability, during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you may have hunger pains. Limit your activity, exercise moderately, and take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep you heart and mind set on seeking God’s face.
How to End
Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food (or whatever you were previously eating) gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
Types of Fasting
Please consult your doctor if you are choosing a fast from food, especially if you have health problems or you are taking special medications.
A Regular Fast
Traditionally, a regular fast means refraining from eating all food. You must still drink water or juice during a regular fast. When Jesus fasted in the desert, the Bible says, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” This verse does not mention Jesus being thirsty.
A Partial Fast
This type of fast generally refers to omitting a specific meal from your diet or refraining from certain types of foods. A partial fast can also be a fast from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. This fast can be a Full Fast as described above, a Daniel Fast in which they restricted their diet to vegetables and water: “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (Daniel 1:12), or give up at least one item of food during that period of time. It is recommended that if you fast a particular meal of the day devote that time to God through prayer and reading the Bible.
Entertainment Fast
An entertainment fast is abstinence from all forms of electronic media and entertainment. This could include television, video games, movies, and the internet.
Scripture on Fasting
Matthew 6: 16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14. Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samual 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3,20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 7:5 Corporate Fasting: 1 Samual 7:5-6, II Chronicles 20:34, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37
Seven Day Devotional
Using the Bible App or Bible.com, the devotion entitled “The Forty-Day Word Fast” will be a great resource during the corporate fast.
