Fasting and Prayer
Our church corporate fast is a time where we all join together to fast and pray, in order to start our year with our hearts and minds on Christ, and our spirits empowered.
If you don't know what fasting is, in practice it is when you give up food for a period time, and take that time to pray or be in your word. Essentially weakening the desires of the flesh and strengthening our spiritual man.
Many Christians' fast things other than food, like social media, or television. While this is a great practice, It isn't actually Biblical. It's still a great practice, and we encourage it, but a true Biblical fast involves food.
Types of Fast
Total Fast: This involves not eating or drinking any fluids, this fast can be dangerous over multiple days, so please use caution if you want to give up all food and beverages, and do not do so for more than two days.
Water-Only fast: This is the type of fast that Jesus did when he fasted for 40 days. A water-only fast is exactly what it sounds like, drinking only water. Many of the pastors and leaders in our church do a water only fast, some even do it for a few weeks. Once again use discretion if you commit to a fast that involves not eating any food for more than a few days.
Daniel Fast: The Daniel fast is a essentially a fruits and vegetable's fast. Yup, that means no pasta, or no meat :( I know we have a lot of meat eaters in this church, so if not eating meat would be difficult for you, consider giving it up this fasting season.
Partial Fast: The partial fast is when you give up one or more meals a day. You could give up any meal you choose but please make sure its a meal that you actually eat. For example if you never eat breakfast, than it would be silly to fast breakfast. In addition to fasting meals partial fast might also include fasting certain foods. Maybe you fast candy or soda, maybe you fast your morning coffee. The important thing is that you give up something that would challenge your flesh.
Remember, don't allow yourself to just skip meals for 3 weeks and not pray or be in your word any more than you usually are. That would just be a diet. Take the time that you would normally use to eat and use that time to be with God. Pray, meditate on his word, and take time to listen to what the lord might be saying to you.
Happy Fasting!
NOTE: If you have any medical issues, pregnancies, or any other health issues, please speak to your doctor, and use caution before starting your fast.
If you don't know what fasting is, in practice it is when you give up food for a period time, and take that time to pray or be in your word. Essentially weakening the desires of the flesh and strengthening our spiritual man.
Many Christians' fast things other than food, like social media, or television. While this is a great practice, It isn't actually Biblical. It's still a great practice, and we encourage it, but a true Biblical fast involves food.
Types of Fast
Total Fast: This involves not eating or drinking any fluids, this fast can be dangerous over multiple days, so please use caution if you want to give up all food and beverages, and do not do so for more than two days.
Water-Only fast: This is the type of fast that Jesus did when he fasted for 40 days. A water-only fast is exactly what it sounds like, drinking only water. Many of the pastors and leaders in our church do a water only fast, some even do it for a few weeks. Once again use discretion if you commit to a fast that involves not eating any food for more than a few days.
Daniel Fast: The Daniel fast is a essentially a fruits and vegetable's fast. Yup, that means no pasta, or no meat :( I know we have a lot of meat eaters in this church, so if not eating meat would be difficult for you, consider giving it up this fasting season.
Partial Fast: The partial fast is when you give up one or more meals a day. You could give up any meal you choose but please make sure its a meal that you actually eat. For example if you never eat breakfast, than it would be silly to fast breakfast. In addition to fasting meals partial fast might also include fasting certain foods. Maybe you fast candy or soda, maybe you fast your morning coffee. The important thing is that you give up something that would challenge your flesh.
Remember, don't allow yourself to just skip meals for 3 weeks and not pray or be in your word any more than you usually are. That would just be a diet. Take the time that you would normally use to eat and use that time to be with God. Pray, meditate on his word, and take time to listen to what the lord might be saying to you.
Happy Fasting!
NOTE: If you have any medical issues, pregnancies, or any other health issues, please speak to your doctor, and use caution before starting your fast.