THE CENTRAL IDEA IN FASTING IS THE VOLUNTARY DENIAL OF A NORMAL FUNCTION FOR THE SAKE OF INTENSE SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY I. We are fasting and praying. II. We are reading and digesting the attached scriptures. Fasting begins at 12 p.m. on Sunday, January 1st and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 22nd We will observe a corporate fast by abstaining from consuming red meats, caffeinated drinks, sweets, etc. See additional details after the reading schedule. No Red meats, Dairy, Seafood (cheese, milk, pork, duck, goose, beef, mutton, lamb, goat, eggs, shrimp, lobster, oysters, scallops, etc.) No sodas or caffeinated drinks. These may be replaced with 100% juices or decaffeinated coffee and/or tea. No cakes, pies, sweets, etc. No fried foods If you cannot participate in the food-fast you may elect to abstain from other elements of life that are pleasurable (For example: TV, cellphone, shopping, etc.). The objective is to make a sacrifice of our personal pleasure(s) and focus our attention on the LORD. [ 1 ]
STEP 1: SET YOUR OBJECTIVE Why are you fasting? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify leading and objectives for your prayer fast. STEP 2: MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT How much time each day will you devote to prayer and studying God's Word? STEP 3: PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. STEP 4: PREPARE YOURSELF PHYSICALLY Consult your physician first, if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. STEP 5: PUT YOURSELF ON A SCHEDULE For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the LORD. STEP 6: END YOUR FAST GRADUALLY Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid food immediately after your fast. (Begin by eating soup, fresh fruit, etc.) STEP 7: EXPECT RESULTS The Lord will give you fresh insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually and physically refreshed. [ 2 ]
THE FOLLOWING PRAYER FOCUS HAS SEVEN PURPOSES: First, may you appreciate and accept God's grace in a greater way. Second, may you connect with God more consistently. Third, may you find the faith to trust God for a brighter future. Fourth, may you release your fears into the hands of God. Fifth, may you press beyond the brokeness and/ or blessings of the past to recieve the new things God has in store for you. Sixth, may you develop a bigger vision for your life. Seventh, may your hope begin to rise as you begin this new year. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." -Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) [ 3 ]
Jan. 1st: Repentance - Read Joel 2:12-14 & begin chapter 1 of The Fasting Edge by Jentezen Franklin: "You Need to Regain the Edge." Jan. 2nd: Repentance - Read Daniel 9:13-19 & complete chapter 1 of The Fasting Edge. Jan. 3rd: Repentance - Read 1 John 1:5-1 O & begin chapter 2 of The Fasting Edge: "The Power of a Made-up Mind:' Jan. 4th: Repentance - Read 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 & complete chapter 2 of The Fasting Edge. Jan. 5th: Repentance - Read Romans 2:1-11 & begin chapter 3 of The Fasting Edge: "Wisdom Brings Success:' Jan. 6th: Repentance - Read Amos 5:4-15 & complete chapter 3 of The Fasting Edge Jan. 7th: Deliverance - Read Psalm 33 & begin chapter 4 of The Fasting Edge: The Fast I Have Chosen: Jan. 8th: God's Faithfulness - Read Lamentations 3: 19-26 & complete chapter 4 of The Fasting Edge. Jan. 9th: Faith - Read Romans 4:1-13 & begin chapter 5 of The Fasting Edge: "Snowflake in the Amazon:' Jan. 10th: Faith & Authority - Read Romans 5:1-11 & complete chapter 5 of The Fasting Edge. [ 4 ]
Jan. 11th: Faith & Authority - Read Mark 1 1: 15-25 & begin chapter 6 of The Fasting Edge by Jentezen Franklin: "Hunger Meets Hunger:' Jan. 12th: Faith - Read Hebrews 1 1: 1-40 & complete chapter 6 of The Fasting Edge. Jan. 13th: Faith & Submission - Read Genesis 22: 1-4 & begin chapter 7 of The Fasting Edge: "You Can't Do God's Will in Human Zeal:' Jan. 14th: Faith & Maturity - Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 & complete chapter 7 of The Fasting Edge. Jan. 15th: Receiving Understanding - Read Luke 24:36-45 & read chapter 8 of The Fasting Edge: "Flourishing in Troubling Times:' Jan. 16th: Holiness - Read Romans 12: 1-1 O & read chapter 9 of The Fasting Edge: ''The Main Dish" Jan. 17th: Receiving Understanding and Skill - Read Daniel 10:10-2 1 & chapter 10 of The Fasting Edge: "Living Inside Out:' Jan. 18th: Confidence in God - Read Psalm 34: 1-22 & chapter 11 of The Fasting Edge: "Extreme Makeover." Jan. 19th: The Joys of Righteousness - Read Psalm 37: 1-40 & begin chapter 12 of The Fasting Edge: "The Quit Option:' Jan. 20th: Benefits of Righteousness - Read Psalm 103 & complete chapter 12 of The Fasting Edge: "The Quit Option." Jan. 21st: Confidence in the Word of God - Read Psalm 138 & Isaiah 55: 10-13 Jan. 22nd: Celebrate the Goodness of God - Read Psalm 150 & Isaiah 4 3:19 Welcome to your "Greater Things." [ 5 ]
- Whole wheat and brown or wild rice (be sure there is no white rice in the wild rice), wheat/spinach wraps are suitable but should be used in moderation. - Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilli Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini [ 6 ]
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Matthew 25:21 Because you were loyal with small things, I'll let you care for much greater things NAS Join us as we sacrifice our personal comfort from January 1st - 22nd in an effort to reconnect... FEEL LIKE YOU RE RUNNING ON FUMES? Time and time again God has proven that He is able to renew passion and restore purpose. If you have been feeling like something is missing it may be time for you to receive a "recharge" through the spiritual discipline of fasting. Join us as we sacrifice our personal comfort from January 1st -22nd in an effort to reconnect with God's plans for our lives. In this guide you will find helpful information about the purpose of fasting and the power that it makes available. This journey will not be easy. There may be times when you want to give up and go back to the way things were. However, if you are willing to commit yourself to following through with the fast and purposefully study the material in this guide, we believe the Holy Spirit will begin to recharge you and provide more than enough power to get you to where you were destined to be. [ 10 ]