21 Days of dedicated prayer and fasting Our appointed fast for 21 days is similar to a Daniel Fast where it is not a complete abstinence from all food and beverage but a partial abstinence of certain foods. When Daniel refused to eat the Kings meat because it was offered unto idols, he consumed only pulse and water but supernaturally, he fared better physically than those who ate the King’s meat (Daniel 1). Similarly in Daniel 10:3, he fasted again for 3 weeks abstaining from any ‘pleasant bread’ or ‘bread of desires’. Daniel fasted from what was favoured or delicious food and drink but instead consumed basic foods. IMPORTANT Please note: If you have any type of medical condition, or if you suspect you have a medical condition of any kind, please consult your doctor before beginning the fast. DEFINITIONS Pleasant Food: Favoured foods such as meats and animal products including but not limited to; beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish. All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs. All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods. All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips. All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat. OR Fast one or two meals per day such as breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pleasant Beverage: Drinks that are regularly consumed such as coffee, tea, Milo, chocolate, milk, carbonated drinks, energy drinks and other such beverages. Pleasant Media: Includes abstaining from all forms of media which includes but is not limited to: TV, computer, videos/DVDs, games, newspaper, social networking sites. Choose as many as you desire to abstain from and replace the time that you would use on these media in prayer and in the Word of God. 21 Days This booklet has been specially prepared to guide you through our 21 Days corporate fast. Our fast begins on Monday, 10th February and ends on Sunday, 2nd March. Fasting is of little effect unless coupled with prayer. Therefore, each day of our fast we will have a prayer focus. Our hope is that through our unified fasting and prayer we not only grow closer to God, but closer to one another as well. In this season, make an effort to increase your prayer time. Why Fast? In his book Fasting, Jentezen Franklin states, “Fasting is a constant means of renewing yourself spiritually. The discipline of fasting breaks you out of the worlds routine. It is a form of worship—offering your body to God as a living sacrifice is holy and pleasing to 2
God (see Romans 12:1).” Far more than merely abstaining from all or certain foods or drink, fasting is a setting aside of these things in order to draw closer to God. Fasting enables us to shift our focus from physical food to spiritual food, hungering for God more than for our next meal. While fasting, we are in position to experience greater intimacy with God—to know Him on a deeper level and to hear Him more clearly, to be ready to receive fresh vision and clear purpose. Many times fasting can lead—whether immediately or eventually— to breakthroughs, healing, answers, rewards, freedom, and power. However, the primary purpose of fasting is to help us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Our sacrifice will not go unnoticed by God, who rewards those who seek whole-‐heartedly after Him. When we commit to fast, Satan tries to dissuade us from fasting— or from completing a fast we have committed to complete. He knows how effective fasting can be because it releases God’s power. Fasting humbles us, and when combined with prayer, can unlock healing for the land: “If my people, which are called by my name, hall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Throughout the Bible, we see many different instances of fasting. The type of fast and length of fast varied according to the purpose of the fast. As we prepare for the upcoming 21 day fast, begin praying now about your fast. Ask God to lead you as to how you will participate. As we unite together in prayer and fasting, we will be able to reach new depths and heights, and we will have authority that requires both prayer and fasting to be accessed, where “nothing is impossible, howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:20-‐21). 21 Days...Understanding Fasting Fasting is not an end in itself; it is a means by which we can worship the Lord and submit ourselves in humility to Him. We don’t make God love us any more than He already does if we fast, or if we fast longer. Even if we wanted to, we could not manipulate God. We fast and pray for results, but the results are in God’s hands. One of the greatest spiritual benefits of fasting is becoming more attentive to God— becoming aware of our own inadequacies and His adequacy, our own contingencies and His self-‐sufficiency—and listening to what He wants us to be and do. Christian fasting focuses on God. The results are spiritual results that glorify God—both in the person who fasts and others for whom we fast and pray. What the Bible says about Fasting 1. Fasting must not be for show. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:16-‐18. 2. Biblical fasting is “not eating” with spiritual communication in mind. We know this because biblical fasting always occurs together with prayer. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast (biblically speaking) without praying. Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from food for a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the 3
Almighty. 3. God said that when you seek Him with all your heart, He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13). When a man or woman is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, he/she is demonstrating a serious seeking of God with the whole heart. 4. Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness. This is clear from Joel’s call to the nation of Israel: “Therefore also now,” says the Lord, “turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting...” (Joel 2:12). Before you Fast Preparing for the fast is important; you will want to plan ahead. Plan menus, gather recipes, and purchase food items. Failure comes many times simply because of a lack of planning. Having the foods you need in advance will ensure a successful and less stressful fast. Another important way to prepare for the fast is to prepare yourself physically. If you are going on the Daniel Fast, gradually decreasing your caffeine and processed sugar intake two to three weeks before the fast will allow your body to adjust more easily to your change in diet. Types of Fasts What you choose to fast is a personal decision. The information provided is designed to help you choose the kind of fast that is right for you. Please pray about what God is leading you to give up for this fast. As this is a corporate fast, we ask that everyone participate in these 21 days in some manner. Health Concerns If you have health concerns, please consult your doctor prior to beginning any type of food fast. Explain to your doctor what you would like to do, and follow his/her instructions. This is especially important if you have a physical condition that is affected by your food intake, have any type of chronic illness, and/or are taking any kind of prescription medications. Types of food fasts 1. Absolute—an extreme fast that should be done only for very short periods of time. You take in nothing—no food, no water. Absolute fasts should be attempted only with medical supervision. 2. Normal—no food is eaten for a certain number of days. You do drink water—and plenty of it. Depending on the length of the fast, you may also choose to drink clear broth and juices to maintain your strength. 3. Partial—giving up particular foods and drinks for a time. The most common example is recorded in Daniel 1:11-‐14, when Daniel and his three companions ate only vegetables and drank only water for 10 days and, as a result, were blessed more than the king’s men (who ate the richer, royal diet). 4. Selective—giving up foods that are unnecessary but pleasurable (fast food, ice cream, chocolate, soft drinks, etc.). This fast is often used by people who are taking medication, have medical conditions, or are too young or too elderly to follow another kind of fast. The 4
point is that you abstain from something that is a delicacy for you. 5. Sunup to Sundown—eating each day only after sunset. During the day, you drink water and pray during normal eating times. Non-‐food/Lifestyle Fasts In addition to the food fast, many people choose to add non-‐food fasts to intensify their focus on God. Non-‐food fasts can also be good for those who are on very strict diets due to medical conditions and are unable to fast any kind of food or liquid. Non-‐food fasts can include things such as determining to refrain from speaking critically or acting on anger, or donating a set amount of time each day to helping others, visiting nursing homes, etc. A Media/Entertainment Fast is a specific kind of non-‐food fast that involves abstaining from any kind of media, including radio, newspapers, internet, video games, television, and related media except for those required to carry out your job-‐related duties. This fast can be combined with some sort of abstinence from food. Fasting Guidelines for Children Infants and small children should NOT fast. Older children can participate in a fast by choosing a food they usually have each day (cookies, lollies, favorite snack, etc.) and giving that up during the fast. The important thing is to explain to them that we are giving up something for the purpose of focusing on God. The Daniel Fast “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8. “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2-‐3. The purpose of fasting is to grow your relationship with God. Daniel’s decision not to eat the king’s food was an outward symbol of an inward commitment he made to God. Let your choices over the 21 days of our Pentecostals of Sydney fast reflect your hunger for God’s presence in your life. The fast is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. As a church we are fasting to deepen our relationship with God, to discover as never before His plan and purpose for our lives, and to experience a spiritual breakthrough that will revolutionize our church family and our community. In addition to the foods of the fast, The Daniel Fast also requires prayer and faith. These three work together to form a foundation for the fast. Together, these three form a prescription of healing. There is no definitive list of foods for Daniel’s fast. The scripture tells us he ate no flesh (meat) and drank no wine. The designation of “pleasant bread” has often been interpreted to mean breads, or sweets, or the delicacies—”choice foods.” In our fast, it is the spirit of Daniel’s decision that we are attempting to capture. In general, the foods that are part of 5
The Daniel Fast are ones which promote health—foods that renew and cleanse the body. Rich foods, decadent foods, and “party” foods would be avoided on the Daniel fast. If there is something not specifically listed that you feel should qualify as “food of the king,” then ask God to reveal to you whether it should be part of your fast. The details of your fast are between you and God. Whichever food, drink or media that you choose to fast from is your choice, we ask only that everyone join us in this united effort by participating in our corporate 21 Day fast. Here are some suggestions from Marilyn Hickey from The Power of Prayer and Fasting: 1.
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Drink lots of water -‐ although other beverages are calorie-‐free, you are better off avoiding them. Some no-‐calorie beverages contain chemicals that have proven harmful to the body and brain over time. Coffee and tea stimulate the central nervous system at a time when you are trying to give your body a rest. Stick to water. Mineral water is recommended. Water helps flush toxins and waste material from the body. It is the best cleansing agent. It also helps calm hunger pangs and helps with muscle cramping. Drink at least 2 litres of room temperature water a day. Exercise moderately -‐ it has been found that an hour of exercise a day actually reduces appetite. Avoid jogging or distance running and strenuous sports activities. Take walks, stretch, ride a bike, play golf or bowl. Walking gives you a wonderful time to pray. Eliminate as many food cues as possible -‐ TV commercials, billboards, restaurant signs, and radio ads -‐ the whole world revolves around food! As much as possible remove these cues from your life. Many people pray during the time they would normally eat a meal or a snack. Keeping busy will help you avoid temptation. Read the Bible or other Christian literature, write in your prayer journal or write a letter to a friend and pray to keep yourself busy. Take your prescription medications -‐ you should continue to take prescribed medications as you fast. People with diabetes or other chronic illness should ask their doctors how to modify their medications during a fast and how frequently they should monitor their blood sugar.
21 Days Day 1 – Monday 10th February When Solomon dedicated the temple he had built unto the Lord, it was a celebration like no other. It was a major event in the life of the Children of Israel. It is a choice that I make to present myself to God a living sacrifice. Our body is the temple of God and His Spirit resides within it. Have you dedicated your life to God? It is a conscious decision we make. 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.” Pray and dedicate your temple to the Lord especially over the next 21 days. Commit the next 21 days to a time of prayer and fasting. Day 2 – Tuesday 11th February
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“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat…” Daniel 1:8. Just as Daniel made a conscious decision to fast and seek God, you and I need to do the same. Unless we make the decision to set these three weeks aside, we will not keep to it until the end. Purpose to do it today. Day 3 – Wednesday 12th February Take heart today…God knows what He is doing in your life. He has a purpose and plan especially during the next three weeks of fasting and prayer….There are things that He desires to change and awaken in you. There are seeds of faith that He will plant in you. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Take time to thank God for the expected end that He has for you and your life. Ask Him to mould you into what He has in His mind. Day 4 – Thursday 13th February Our strength doesn’t come from ourselves. It comes from God. He gives us strength to keep on the right path. He gives us strength to love others and be faithful in all that we do. When we come to believe that, naturally a greater bond occurs between us and the Lord. I cannot do it on my own. I need God! Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Pray for God’s strength today to help you to continue your fast and to help you do the things you need to do today. Day 5 – Friday 14th February In God’s eyes, we are all His children. There is one body of Christ but we are all members of the same body. Just like your physical body has many members e.g. legs, arms, eyes but you are still only one body. They all have their own function within your body. So too you and I, each have our own function within His church. Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Pray and ask the Lord to help you understand what your specific function in the body of Christ is. Day 6 – Saturday 15th February God desires us to give of ourselves to others. Love is not a feeling. It is a choice I make to love others. Our POS theme for 2014 is Magnanimous. Be magnanimous in your love towards others. Find someone that you can put this verse of Scripture into practise today! Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Pray and ask God to reveal to you ways that you can demonstrate love and kindness to others. Day 7 – Sunday 16th February 7
God has chosen you and I to show Him off to the world. God is invisible but He is made visible through my life and through your life. 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Pray and ask God to help you be aware of those around you and guide you for ways that you can declare how He has brought you out of darkness. Day 8 – Monday 17th February God has commanded us to go and teach and baptize. We have not been saved to keep it to ourselves but rather to share it with others. Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Pray and ask God to give you a greater burden and opportunity to share the Gospel with the unsaved. Day 9 – Tuesday 18th February One of the purposes of the Holy Ghost within me is that it gives me power to be a witness for the Lord. Australia is the uttermost part of the world. We have a mission! We have the power! Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Take time to thank God for the Holy Ghost and the power that He has placed inside of you to be a witness for Him. Day 10 – Wednesday 19th February Our victory comes from God. Because Jesus was victorious over Satan, He has made it possible for you and I to be victorious also! We win! That gives me the strength to keep pressing on. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Be conscious of your thoughts today. When Satan tries to come against you with thoughts of failure, rebuke the thoughts. Instead, quote the word of God. Resist the devil and he will flee! Day 11 – Thursday 20th February I can overcome sin! I no longer need to be bound to its chains. Because of what Jesus did 8
at Calvary, I have the power through Christ to resist temptation. 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” Remind yourself today that you are an overcomer in Christ. Day 12 – Friday 21st February It brings great peace into my life to know that God will never give up on me. He will never walk away from me. He sees the end from the beginning and orchestrates things in my life to fulfill His good work in me. Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Pray and ask God to renew your faith in Him that He will complete what He started in you. Day 13 – Saturday 22nd February God breathed into Adam and made him a living soul. Our soul never dies. It is comforting to know that even though our physical bodies get old and worn out, our spiritual being doesn’t get old or wear out. 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Take time today to thank God for the hope that you have beyond your life on earth. Day 14 – Sunday 23rd February Another version of this bible verse says, ‘be anxious for nothing.’ Prayer and humbly asking God for what we need is a better option than worrying. What is it that you need today? What is it that is troubling you? Take it to God! Allow Him to take care of it. Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Whatever it is that is troubling you right now, bring it to God. Ask Him to resolve it for you. Ask Him to flood your mind with His peace. Day 15 – Monday 24th February Because Jesus died and rose again, we also have that hope. When we live in Christ i.e. our day-to-day life, we have hope in Christ. John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Take the time today to pray and challenge yourself…do I really live and believe in Christ? Day 16 – Tuesday 25th February 9
Giving is such an important area in a Christian’s life. It is not only money that we are encouraged to give but also things like our time to others and the kingdom of God, our love, our friendship to name a few. In fact, He says, test me and see what I will do in your life. We will never out give God. Malachi 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Pray and ask the Lord to lead you in what area He desires you to give in. Day 17 – Wednesday 26th February Magnanimous. That is what God is toward us. He gives to us abundantly. There is no end to His desire to bless and encourage us. You and I don’t need to live in fear. Through Christ, I have power, I am loved and He has given me a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Thank God for His provision today. Read this verse of scripture out loud to yourself throughout the day…reminding yourself that fear doesn’t have to be part of your life. Day 18 – Thursday 27th February Temptation is not a sin. It is when we give in to the temptation that it can lead to sin in our lives. Isn’t it funny that what we normally struggle with becomes a struggle when we are in a time of prayer and fasting? That is just like Satan! There is a way of escape! God will provide you one. But be encouraged today.. 1 Corinthians 10:12, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Thank God for His faithfulness today in keeping you and showing you the way to escape the temptation. Day 19 – Friday 28th February We were created in God’s image. God is holy and He desires you and I to be holy too. Being modest is only a part of being holy. Holiness in our attitudes, relationships, lifestyle are all important. 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Pray that God reveal to you any areas in your life that are unholy. Day 20 – Saturday 1st March We serve a living God. We serve a God who hears and answers us when we pray. We serve a God whose presence is real and even tangible at times. How sad it must be to give your life to a god that isn’t alive, cannot hear or answer. I can be confident in the God that 10
I serve. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” Pray and ask God for His will to be done in your life. Ask Him to make the path that He wants you to follow clear for you. Day 21 – Sunday 2nd March As Christians, we don’t walk to the beat of the same drum as those who don’t know Christ. We walk by faith and not by sight. God’s command to us is to be holy. 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Take the time today to thank God for keeping you over the past 21 days. Bless your efforts as you prepare for this time of fasting and prayer! We expect that as we follow the example set by Jesus and meet His expectation that His followers would fast (Mt. 6:16) that fasting and prayer will position you for a breakthrough in every area of your life!
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