40 DAYS OF FASTING A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:16 18

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1 A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6: DAYS OF FASTING "When you fast, don't make it obvious to others, as the hypocrites who try to look mournful or disheveled like they didn't comb their hair, or wash their face. Don't try to get people to admire you for fasting. That is the only reward you will get. But when you fast, arrange your hair and shave so no one will suspect you are fasting, except your heavenly Father who knows everything you do. Then your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you openly" (Matt. 6:16 18). 1. Fasting is a spiritual discipline for inward communion with God, or deep contrition against temptation, when you go without food to demonstrate your sincerity to God. 2. Fasting without prayer is not enough, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). 3. Required for all on the Day of Atonement. "On the appointed day... you must spend the day fasting and not do any work" (Lev. 16:29, LB). 4. A Yom Kippur fast is from sundown to sundown, giving up the evening meal, breakfast and lunch. 5. This event will begin Monday, August 20th and will culminate 40 days later on September 29th (During the Jewish High Holy week /Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)/ Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) / Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) 6. Although we are fasting in conjunction with the Body of Christ abroad, we are also standing in agreement locally as a Body of Believers, repenting for our lack of church and community involvement, praying for healing, direction, and empowerment to change and shape our spheres of influence! 7. Therefore, we at H.O.S.I.M. are asking for the saints of God to stand in agreement with us on this 40 Day Daniel Fast in which total abstinence from food but not water will be consecrated from 6am 6pm throughout the 40 days and then eating only the prescribed foods of a Daniel Fast when deciding to eat during the prescribed times.

2 B. 10 NEGATIVES OF FASTING "When you fast, be not..." (6:16). 1. It's not giving up food; it is a relationship with God. 2. It's not about getting things from God, it is knowing God. 3. It's not a testimony to others, "Appear not unto men to fast" (6:18). 4. It's not turning your back on pleasure, it is finding pleasure in God. 5. It's not meritorious, it is willingly. 6. It's not about wearing clothes, i.e., sack cloth. 7. It's not about mournful gestures, i.e., ashes. "Disfigure their face" was actually "make face unappeasable," or neglected. 8. It's not what we give up. 9. It's not about what others will think. 10. It's not about making it through. C. 10 POSITIVES FROM FASTING 1. You will establish an honest relationship with God. 2. You will get answers to your prayer ask (Isa. 58:6, 9). 3. You will eliminate barriers between you and God. "They gathered... and fasted... and said, we have sinned against the Lord" (1 Sam. 7:6). 4. You will break addictions and bad habits. "To loose the bands of wickedness" (Isa. 58:6). 5. You intercede for others. "They gathered... and fasted... cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us" (1 Sam. 7:6, 8). 6. You will get spiritual insight. "Is not this the fast I have chosen... then your light shall spring forth" (Isa. 58:6, 8). 7. You will get spiritual protection. "Is not this the fast I have chosen... the Lord shall be your rear guard" (Isa. 58:6, 8). 8. You will get physical healing. "Is not this the fast... healing shall spring forth" (Isa. 58:6, 8). 9. Your spiritual warfare. "I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth... but the prince of Persia withstood me twenty one days" (Dan.l 10:3, 13). 10. You energize missions outreach. "Having fasted and prayed... they sent them (missionaries) away" (Acts 13:3). D. 10 THINGS TO FAST EFFECTIVELY 1. Fasting is inward to God, not outward. 2. Fasting puts Jesus first in your agenda. 3. Fasting is hungering after righteousness. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matt. 5:6). 4. Fasting begins when you yield everything to God.

3 5. Write out your purpose for which you are fasting. 6. Then write out other prayer requests. 7. Determine the time you will pray. 8. Determine the place you will pray. 9. Write out the time you will begin and end your fast. 10. Remember humility. "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt. 11:11). Daniel 1:12 Daniel 10:3 FOOD GUIDELINES FOR A DANIEL FAST Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. When going on a Daniel fast, or any type of fast, if you have questions outside of what Scripture says, prayerfully seek the Lord and be led by the Spirit for the specifics for your personal fast. Step 1: Be Specific For What You are Fasting For Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately. 1. The king s food was against dietary laws. 2. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine. 3. The king s food had been offered up to idols/demons. Step 2: Fast as a Spiritual Commitment The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). Step 3: Reflect Inner Desire by Outer Discipline Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for their health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health can be linked to any of the following factors: 1. Your food choices. 2. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.

4 3. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 40 days, don t stop on Day Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body, and faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast. If one through fasting can develop power through self control (a necessary fruit of the Spirit) over physical temptations and the inner desire for food that is detrimental to one s health, then that will in turn help discipline that believer over spiritual and mental temptations as well! Step 4: Pray to Perceive Sin s Role in Poor Health Notice James 5:13 16: Sin is something related to the cause of sickness. Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion. Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography. Repentance is linked to health according to James. Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health. Sick people must desire to be well The anointing oil could mean o Medicine for healing, o Symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or o It could be baptism Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith is the major factor. In Greek there are several words for sick. James uses Kanino, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary. Attitude is important. James said, are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Step 5: Fast as a Statement of Faith to Others Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king s food. If the truth be told the American church as a whole is quite FAT & LAZY and seems to suffer from gluttony and lethargy! This cannot be a good testimony for a people who are suppose to have power through Christ over death, hell, and the grave! Amen??? Step 6: Learn the Effects of the Food You Eat Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again. Food in many ways can be like sin! Some of the most tempting foods definitely taste good but simply are not good for us and can possibly lead to death in the end. Power over food is an important spiritual principle ignored all too often in the Body of Christ! The Word of God declares that gluttony is as the sin of drunkenness

5 (Proverbs 23:21)! Why? Because with each sin, there is no restraint or self control exercised. As saints we should have the mindset of eating to live rather than living to eat, and to be thankful at all times for what the Good Lord has put before us! Step 7: Yield All Results to God Daniel said, as you see fit, deal with your servants (Dan. 1:13). During your Daniel Fast you will have many times when you might want to "stretch the rules" a little bit. For example, even though the guidelines say we are to drink only water... you conclude that herbal teas are vegetables and water is water and therefore you will go ahead and drink herbal teas during the Daniel Fast. But I encourage you to learn a powerful spiritual lesson by asking yourself (examining your heart) the question, "Why do you want the herbal teas?" My guess is that the answer will be, "Well I just want them. I can't drink only water. I have to have something else." The Daniel Fast teaches us to deny our "selves" and instead put our spirit in control over our flesh. As you plan your meals and eat your food, keep in mind that the definition of a fast is to deny food for a spiritual purpose. The Daniel Fast for the body, soul and spirit The Bible teaches us that we are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body. The Daniel Fast affects all three parts of us as we enter into a period of time for focused prayer and fasting. The Body Certainly our bodies are affected as our diet is changed, for some in very dramatic ways, during the Daniel Fast. Many men and women experience detoxing from caffeine, chemicals and sugar. The symptoms are most often headaches, leg cramps, fatigue and malaise. Most people lose weight during the Daniel Fast. And many report an extreme increase in energy, awareness, memory, healing from diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer. The Soul Frequently referred to as "the flesh" in the Bible, the soul is also greatly impacted during the Daniel Fast. The soul is the seat of our emotions, intellect, personality and will. It is in the "soulish realm" where we experience cravings, frustration, anger... and even happiness. During the Daniel Fast, your soul may very well rebel against the dramatic change in your diet. Experiencing and winning this battle over the flesh is often one of the most powerful lessons of the Daniel Fast. The Spirit Our spirit is that born again part of us that surrenders to God and then abides with the Father and the Son. Our spirit is filled with the Holy Spirit when we yield to Him. During the Daniel Fast,

6 we want to put our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us. When our flesh is acting out with a craving, we take control of it with our spirit (just as a parent takes control of a rebellious child). Fasting is always coupled with a spiritual goal. So during this time of fasting, you will want to focus on prayer, study and meditation; knowing that the emptying of self for the filling of God is our desire! What if you have health issues? Fasting should never bring harm to the body. And if you have concerns, be sure to consult your health professional before going on the Daniel Fast or making any major dietary change. The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat! So health professionals will support this eating plan, but might suggest a few modifications if you have health issues that need special attention. For example, pregnant and nursing mothers might get instructions to add fish, chicken and cheese into the Daniel Fast, but otherwise stay the course. Diabetics may need to add more carbohydrates or include chicken and fish. Also, those who are especially active either through sports, bodybuilding or vocation may need to slightly alter the eating plan. I encourage you to check with your doctor... and by the way, being addicted to Snickers and Pepsi don't count as a special need! LOL!!! Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy. All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn. All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter. All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans. All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

7 Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters. Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices. Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish. All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs. All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice. All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods. All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips. All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat. Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol. Remember, READ THE LABELS!