Hi Gang, In this small booklet I on behalf of the leaders have tried to articulate a 'passion' that is increasingly burning to see the 'WHOLE' church gather to pray and fast. There are many needs, challenges and situations that individuals are facing. On page 6 you can state your personal needs before God and I encourage you to do this. On page 6 we have listed 10 areas that, collectively, we are contending for. Please take these 10 areas and join with us as we pray & fast believing for miracles, turnarounds and changed lives – BREAKTHROUGH. We have organised 3 dates for us to collectively come together and pray but the most important thing is for you individually or even as a couple or family to join in prayer. Don't just miss a meal or meals and then not pray- this then becomes just a diet. The real power is when we PRAY & FAST. It's the double combination punchwe yield our bodies, our earthly appetite to God, and as we pray we are nourished and fed by God and his eternal word. Please join with us- do the fast that is best for you. Be under no pressure but I do pray as do the leaders that collectively we will embrace this God-given discipline and see something spectacular and miraculous come about in this BREAKTHROUGH season. God bless, Kristian.
I want you to know that God never disappoints. The psalmist wrote “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8 NIV). He is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. He fills those who hunger for Him to overflowing. Bread was a key factor in the lifestyle of ancient Israel. Throughout the Old Testament we see evidence of the importance of bread as a main sustenance. That's why the following words were so shocking and pivotal even for some of His most faithful followers. Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but my father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to him, “Lord, Give us this bread always.” and Jesus said to them “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst” - John 6:32-35 What a statement! Remember, bread was not merely an after thought or a side dish to the people who heard His words. Bread was the main part of their diet. When Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life,” in that culture, it got their attention. He was trying to get them to understand, “You need Me every day. You need Me not just on a Sunday. You need Me every hour. You need Me every minute. You can't make it without Me. I Am The Bread of Life. I'm the central issue of your life. Without Me, without bread, you will perish.” I can do a lot of things, but I cannot do anything without Jesus. He's not a side salad. He's not something at the end of the table in a basket that I can take or leave, He is the source of life.
The problem is, the body of Christ has developed a Drive-Thru brand of Christianity of late, where we simply “take it or leave it” at will. Nowhere in the bible does it say The Bread of Life is merely a side dish! How often do we act as though we can pinch off a little nibble of God here and there, fold the napkin back over the dish and do our own thing the rest of the week? Have our lives become so full that we only have room for a little taste of God on Sunday and may be another taste on Wednesday? Do we come into church so full of the world that we have no room for The Bread of Life, then hustle out to what we consider to be the main course in our lives? We need to cultivate a genuine hunger and thirst for the Lord. We cannot focus on fasting and prayer and expect to get far when we have the wrong understanding of Jesus in the first place. Jesus continued to explain to the arguing crowd. “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” - John 6:48-51 Whenever you hunger and thirst after Jesus you will be filled. The Bread of Life is the most important thing in your home, in your family, in your marriage, in your life. I believe we are to diligently pursue the dreams God gives us, but we must never allow that pursuit to eclipse Jesus at the centre. Fasting makes you hungry for what really matters in life. You realise that nothing else will satisfy. I want The Bread of Life more than anything else because everything else leaves me hungry. If that is not true in your life then it is time to fast and pray until that hunger arises. One of the biggest problems in the church today is that we are so full of everything that the world has to offer that we have nothing to offer a spiritually starving world.
My reason for fasting:
I will fast: Begin Date: End Date: Time to get it right in 2015 God is my first priority: Therefore, by faith, I am fasting because I want to put God first in my life and keep Him first in my life. I commit myself to this fast and God's plans and purposes for my life. Signed Date
Collective 2014 Fasting Commitment 10 areas Arena Church are contending for, believing for a BREAKTHROUGH. 1) Healing and Health Healing for cancer, long-standing health and family issues & challenges 2) Finance Increased financial resource in the church and in Arena Business. Personal financial turn-arounds for God's people. 3) Ownership People wholeheartedly commit with a passion to connecting, serving and giving'With Everything' 4) Spiritual Atmosphere For an atmosphere change in Ilkeston, Mansfield, Alfreton, Nottingham, Derby across the M1 corridor J29 - J25. Battle to be won in the heavenlies. Community work to be multiplied, churches planted and the Macedonian call to the leaders heard. For the church to stand out ans shine. (Acts 16:6-9) 5)Small Groups and Relational Connections The enemy desires people to live lonely and isolated! This is why we are praying for the raising of Small Group leaders and small groups. Multi-lights across the M1 corridor. 6)Favour and Prosperity Prosperity defined as the fulfilment of a goal. For blessing and favour of buildings & resource. Influence amongst community, council, business community and media. 7)Lostness & Prodigals Lost and broken people being saved and changed. Prodigals of 10, 20, 30+ years
returning on mass! 8)Young Leaders & Young People For an army of young leaders to be trained and released. 9)The Nation & The Nations For God's light and the gospel of Jesus to invade every dark area through Preaching & Good Works. For children to be saved. 10) For AOG Our movement of churches which we belong to. John and Andrene Partington, our National Leader and our National Team. FASTING BASICS Simply stated, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. 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. 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?
BIBLICAL FASTING FOCUS 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.”
TYPES OF FASTS There are several types of fasting. The one you choose is between you and God. He will honour your best sacrifice. 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 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!
Fasting Q&A Q1 HOW DO I BEGIN? WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR MY FAST? Before beginning a fast, think it through. Write down a plan so that you do not waiver or start justifying your appetite during the fast. Make a verbal commitment to the lord. Start your fast with a committed heart. Q2 CAN I HAVE SALT, PEPPER, SEASONINGS, MILK, EGGS, PROTEIN DRINKS, VITAMINS OR BUTTER? The general guidelines for each fast can be found in the 'Types of Fasts� Section. However, fasting is a private discipline. It is not something that is meant to be unattainable. Decide what is feasible for you and do make the effort, If you are on a full fast and just cannot consume broth without salt and pepper, that's OK. Do what you can and put it in God's hands. Just do your best. Q3 WHAT CAN CHILDREN FAST? The best way to show children the power of fasting is to lead by example. If they want to participate in fasting or if you want to have a family fast, consider giving up deserts. Or soft drinks. Or one item of food that would be a sacrifice to each of you. Now if they want to do without broccoli and they don't even like broccoli- giving it up wouldn't be a sacrifice for them. Just lead by example and they will understand. In addition to giving up an item of food, you could also give up television as a family and spend that time reading and discussing bible stories. Q4 WHAT IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION? Consult your doctor before starting any fast. Decide together what is possible. If your health condition prohibits you from fasting food, try something else that would be a sacrifice or distraction for you and replace that time concentrating on prayer and Bible study.
Q5 WHAT IF I START AND CAN'T FINISH OUT MY FAST... HAVE I FASTED FOR NOTHING? Seeking God through prayer and fasting is never a waste of time. When you make the effort, God takes notice. Just determine within your heart that you will make an even better effort next time. Or maybe you need to try finishing up with a partial fast.
Q6 I FORGOT AND ATE SOMETHING; DO I NEED TO START AGAIN? No, think of fasting as a marathon, rather than a sprint. Don't give up! If you fall down, get up and keep trying. Conquering 'king stomach' is difficult, but you'll make it. Q7 WHAT TYPE OF FAST ARE YOU GOING ON? DO I HAVE TO DO THE SAME FAST? Fasting is a private and personal discipline. Consider the types of fasts outlined in this brochure and select one that works for you. You don't have to go on the same type of fast as someone else to see God's hand at work. Just do your best. Q8 DO I HAVE TO FAST FOOD? WHAT ABOUT TV, SPORTS, ETC? Fasting food is the traditional type of fast that is outlined in scripture. However, if you are unable to fast food for health reasons, feel free to give up something else that might have control in your life or be preventing you from experiencing spiritual growth. Replace that time with prayer and study of God's word. Q9 DO I CONTINUE TO EXERCISE WHILE FASTING? Moderate exercise is good. But it is best to always consult a doctor about fasting and exercise. If you are on a complete fast, you may not have the energy needed to maintain a high level of exercise. Q10 WHAT IF I HAVE A MANUAL LABOUR JOB? If you have a job that requires you to expend a lot of physical energy., you may want to consider a partial fast that allows you to receive enough nutrition to perform your
job.
Prayer Times
We have also organised during the 21 days 3 collective prayer times:Tuesday 6th January 7-8pm Mansfield Tuesday 13th January 7 -8pm Ilkeston Wednesday 21st January 7-8pm Mansfield
For further information please visit our website; www.arenachurch.co.uk A big thank you to Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel Church, Gainesville, USA for sharing his fasting notes with us.