The Fast

 According to the Bible, there are three duties of every Christian: give, pray and fast. Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength-strength which you can only receive from God. Your private discipline will bring you rewards in Heaven, says Matthew 6.

When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.

Why should I fast?

1. Are you in need of healing or a miracle?

2. Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?

3. Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?

4. Are you in need of a fresh encounter?

5. Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?

6. Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?

7. Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?

8. Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?

9. Do you desire to know God's will for your life?

 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

ROMANS 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service."

MATTHEW 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

ISAIAH 58:6 "{Is] not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

I want to encourage you to target your prayers during the fast. Two specific areas I will be focusing on are leadership and direction. The Bible instructs us to continually pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). When we lift up our leaders in our homes, in the church, in the United States and around the world, we can expect God's peace in our lives.

Another great promise, from the book of Isaiah, proclaims that the chosen fast will "undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free." We are living in tough times and we know that so many people are under a multitude of burdens. As we come together to fast and pray, we believe that your burdens will be lifted and that blessings will be released into your life!

I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your biblical fasting come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. I believe that, as we pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year (Matthew 6:33)!

Full Fast Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).

The Daniel Fast Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables. (no animal or animal byproducts)

3-Day Fast This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food/meal.

Partial Fast A partial fast is normally from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food. This can also be an item or food that you want to give up for the duration of the corporate fast.

Scripture References for Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14

Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2

Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7: 5-6, Ezra 8: 21-23, Nehemiah 9: 1-3, Joel 2: 15-16, Jonah 3: 5-10, Acts 27: 33-37

Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14: 12, 1 Corinthians 8:8). May God greatly bless you as you fast!