Prayer and Fasting

There are several different types of fasting.

The one you choose is between you and God. He will honor your best sacrifice.

January 16-February 5, 2012

Locations and Times: Prayer at Greenfield Campus Only. 

People from both Tribes at Theater Campus and Greenfield Campus are welcome Monday – Friday, open auditorium, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm for prayer.
During this season of prayer and fasting, we seek the Lord in these areas:

  • Believing God for answered prayer to our specific needs.
  • Declaring our dependence on God in every area of our lives.
  • Asking for forgiveness for our sins and the sins of our land.
  • Praying for the completion of the Great Commission.
  • Inviting the Presence of God in our church and our lives.
  • Crying out to God for revival in our generation.

Click here to join us in a fasting reading schedule through YouVersion

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!

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

Partial Fast- A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.

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

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. Pray daily and read the Bible.

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. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you.

Deciding What to Fast- The type of fasting you choose 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. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.

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.

What to Expect- When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. 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 your 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 gradually; eat small portions or snacks.

A Daniel Fast

A Daniel fast is a partial fast consisting of vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

We find in the book of Daniel he chose to ‘fast’ as it were with two different methods. The first method fruits and vegetables, the second method consisting of no meats or pleasant breads.

In Daniel 1:10-20 Daniel requested that he be allowed to eat vegetables and water for ten days so as not to defile himself with the portion from the kings’ table. Because he chose to eat this way God gave him and the other three young men ‘…knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams’ (Dan 1:17)

On a second occasion Daniel chose to fast and pray humbling himself to seek God, and gain an understanding of the vision God had given him. In Daniel 10:3 we read; ‘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.’

On every occasion Daniel humbled himself to seek God, and gain understanding and knowledge. By ‘afflicting the soul’ he chose to position himself to hear clearly God’s thoughts and ideas towards the present circumstances and the future.

Whenever we choose to fast, and set time aside to seek God’s face and His ways, He ever faithfully draws near to those of a humble and hungry heart.

Step 1: Be Specific- 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.
  3. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9.
  4. 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.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: Yield All Results to God- Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13).

FOOD GUIDELINES FOR A DANIEL FAST- Daniel 1:12“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”

Daniel 10:3 KJV “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.

Resources

Fasting

Click below for a
Special 21 Day Calendar
 Click below for a
Special Fasting Guide		 Click below for a
Special 21 Day Devotional