21 Day Fasting and Prayer Guide

01/03/2020 .

Carol Pecaitis & Marnell Hartmark . Saddleback Women Volunteers

Happy New Year from ‘Saddleback Women Pray’ Prayer Team!

We have much anticipation and excitement for the break throughs, revelation and intimacy with the Lord we will experience individually and corporately as a church family in 2020 as we join together to fast and pray for 21 days.

Prayerfully consider joining us for a 21 day fast beginning Monday, January 6th through January 26th.

We will be praying into the 2020 Vision that Pastor Rick cast for Saddleback Church in November. If you missed that please watch on the church website

We have written a prayer objective guide that takes the 7 themes that Pastor Rick set for 2020, a prayer point and scriptures for each day. The 7 themes are repeated each week but the prayer points are different daily. These prompts are meant to be a springboard for you as you bring these objectives before the Lord and expand them in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Below find Prayer Objective Guide for your daily prayer prompts.

Please also find the fasting guides explaining why and how to fast as well as the different types of fasts you can do.

God bless you,

Saddleback Women Pray Prayer Team

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January 2020 -fasting prayer guide week 1

Monday – Day 1 - 6-Jan

CELEBRATE - what God has done

Psalms 78:4-7 CEV These are things we learned from our ancestors, and we will tell them to the next generation. We won’t keep secret the glorious deeds and the mighty miracles of the Lord. God gave his Law to Jacob’s descendants, the people of Israel. And he told our ancestors to teach their children, so that each new generation would know his Law and tell it to the next. Then they would trust God and obey his teachings, without forgetting anything God had done.

PARTNER IN HIS "YES"

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Psalm 127:1-2 MSG If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

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Tuesday – Day 2 -7-Jan

CULTIVATE - kindness, hospitality & being unoffended

Romans 12:2 MSG Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Proverbs 19:11 GW A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.

STILLNESS

Psalm 27:8 NLT My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Psalm 46:10 NLT Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.

Psalm 5:3 NIV In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Joshua 1:8 NLT Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

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Wednesday – Day 3 -8-Jan

ACCELERATE - care for those in pain

Matthew 9:36 MSG When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.

REVELATION/WISDOM

Ephesians 1:17 NIV I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Psalm 119:18 TLB Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.

Hab. 2:2-3 NIV Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

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Thursday – Day 4 - 9-Jan

ACTIVATE - 5 generations at once

Acts 2:17-18 GNT ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. In those days I will pour my Spirit on my servants, on both men and women. They will speak what God has revealed.

ONE THING

Luke 10:41-42 TPT The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”

Psalm 27:4 NLT The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

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Friday – Day 5 - 10-Jan

INITIATE - the School of Leadership

Titus 3:14 NLT Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 NIV Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

FRIEND OF GOD

James 2:23 NLT And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.

Romans 5:10 NLT For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Psalm 105:4 NIV Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

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Saturday – Day 6 - 11-Jan

COLLABORATE - with others to fulfill the Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

OBEDIENCE

Luke 6:46 NIV “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

James 1:22-25 NIV Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 TLB So Moses told the people, “You must obey all the commandments of the Lord your God, following his directions in every detail, going the whole way he has laid out for you; only then will you live long and prosperous lives in the land you are to enter and possess.

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Sunday – Day 7 - 12-Jan

CREATE - new building funds

Neh. 1:3b-4, 2:4-5, 8b NLT ...The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

...And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

ASK-SEEK-KNOCK

Luke 11:10-13 AMP For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!"

John 16:24 MSG “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

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January 2020 - fasting prayer guide week 2

Monday – Day 8 - 13-Jan

CELEBRATE - what God has done

REST

Jeremiah 6:16 NLT This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

Psalm 231-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

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Tuesday – Day 9 - 14-Jan

CULTIVATE - kindness, hospitality & being unoffended

Proverbs 19:11 GW A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.

ABIDE/VINE

John 15:9 TPT “I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts.

John 15:4-5 TPT So you must remain in life-union with me,[a] for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.

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Wednesday – Day 10 - 15-Jan

ACCELERATE - care for those in pain

Matthew 9:36 MSG When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.

TRUTH

John 4:23-24 NLT But the time is coming-indeed it's here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 16:13 NIV But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1John 1:8 NIV If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

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Thursday – Day 11- 16-Jan

ACTIVATE - 5 generations at once

FRUIT

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

John 15:5 NIV "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Psalm 1:1-2 NIV Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

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Friday – Day 12 -17-Jan

INITIATE - the School of Leadership

Titus 3:14 NLT Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 NIV Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 1:5 (Voice) The wise will pay attention to these words and will grow in learning, and the discerning will receive divine guidance,

Romans 12:2 (Voice) Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."

Hosea 14:9 NLT Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

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Saturday – Day 13 - 18-Jan

COLLABORATE - with others to fulfill the Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

VISION

Job 33:15-17 AMP In a dream, a vision of the night [one may hear God's voice], When deep sleep falls on men While slumbering upon the bed, Then He opens the ears of men And seals their instruction, That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep him from pride;

Proverbs 29:18 MSG If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

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Sunday – Day 14 - 19-Jan

CREATE - new building funds

...And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

TRUST

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NKJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

"Nahum 1:7 NLT The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."

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January 2020 - fasting prayer guide week 3

Monday – Day 15 - 20-Jan

CELEBRATE - what God has done

PEACE

John 14:27 TPT “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!

Isaiah 26:3 AMP “You will keep in [a]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

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Tuesday – Day 16 - 21-Jan

CULTIVATE -kindness, hospitality & being unoffended

Proverbs 19:11 GW A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.

HUMILITY

Isaiah 57:15 TPT For this is what the high and majestic one says, the one who fills the eternal realm with glory, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in high and holy places but also with the bruised and lowly in spirit, those who are humble and quick to repent. I dwell with them to revive the spirit of the humble, to revive the heart of those who are broken over their sin.

James 4:6 NKJV But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

"Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

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Wednesday – Day 17 - 22-Jan

ACCELERATE - care for those in pain

Matthew 9:36 MSG When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.

FREEDOM

2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:13-14 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 8:32 NIV Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

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Thursday – Day 18 - 23-Jan

ACTIVATE - 5 generations at once

HEART/SOIL

Matthew 13:19-23 TLB The hard path where some of the seeds fell represents the heart of a person who hears the Good News about the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it; then Satan[a] comes and snatches away the seeds from his heart. The shallow, rocky soil represents the heart of a man who hears the message and receives it with real joy, but he doesn’t have much depth in his life, and the seeds don’t root very deeply, and after a while when trouble comes, or persecution begins because of his beliefs, his enthusiasm fades, and he drops out. The ground covered with thistles represents a man who hears the message, but the cares of this life and his longing for money choke out God’s Word, and he does less and less for God. The good ground represents the heart of a man who listens to the message and understands it and goes out and brings thirty, sixty, or even a hundred others into the Kingdom.”

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Friday – Day 19 -24-Jan

INITIATE - the School of Leadership

Titus 3:14 NLT Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 NIV Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

PRIDE

Proverbs 11:2 AMP When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

"Romans 12:3 TPT God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem."

Proverbs 16:18 GNT Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

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Saturday – Day 20 - 25-Jan

COLLABORATE - with others to fulfill the Great Commission

RELATIONSHIP

John 17:20-23 NLT “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

John 15:9-10 MSG “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

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Sunday – Day 21 - 26-Jan

CREATE - new building funds

...And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

CULTURE OF PRAYER

Mark 11:17 AMP He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? But you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Acts 4:31 NIV After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Ephesians 6:18 AMP With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

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21 Day Fasting and Prayer Guide

“Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life. Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation, I am convinced that when God's people fast with a proper Biblical motive seeking God's face not His hand-with a broken, repentant, and contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nation and world. Fasting and prayer can bring about revival - a change in the direction of our nation, the nations of earth and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The awesome power can be released through you as you fast through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.” Bill Bright

Why You Should Fast

Here are some important facts about why we should fast: o Fasting was an established discipline in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said, “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” (Matt. 6:16) o The Holy Spirit will illuminate the Word of God to you, causing you to grow in your understanding and knowledge of God. (Eph. 1:17) o Fasting with prayer can result in a more intimate relationship with Christ, revolutionizing your prayer life. (Rev. 2:4) o Fasting is a way that we humble ourselves before God. (Ezra 8:21). o Fasting invites the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition. (Jer. 17:9-10, Psalm 139:23)

How To Safely Fast

For an extended fast you should consult your doctor before you begin. If you have any of the conditions listed below you should NEVER fast without a doctor’s supervision: o If you are physically too thin or emaciated. o If you are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders. o If you have weakness or anemia. o If you a have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or who have heart disease. o If you suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or other important organs. o If you take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia. o If you are pregnant or nursing.

How To Prepare For Your Fast

o Plan your purpose. The primary goal of fasting is to seek God and experience Him. o Plan to surrender your heart. Say “yes” to God. Plan ahead to obey what God reveals to you during your fast. o Plan for potential temporary discomfort. If you decide to eat only fruits and vegetables, you may feel sick after a couple of days because your body is going through detoxification. You will make it through if you push past this phase. You will find that your hunger and discomfort subsides. o Plan to spend more time with God. It is easy to try to stay busy to help distract you from feeling hungry but it’s important to remember why you are fasting and to plan to spend time reading the Bible and praying. The time you would normally spend eating could be spent with God instead. Fasting without prayer is just a diet.

Helpful Fasting Guidelines

o Explain to those closest to you what you are doing in advance and ask for privacy to not discuss it with you until the fast is over. o Avoid talking about it. Don’t complain or brag about it. o Find an accountability partner to pray for you and encourage you. o Stay away from negative people. o Keep a prayer journal and record what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

Various Types of Fasts

Prayerfully consider which type of fast the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. Here are some to consider: o A Complete Fast • Drink liquids only, typically water and/or light juices which can include broth or soup. o A Selective Fast • Eliminate certain foods and/or drinks from your diet. For example: A Daniel Fast; abstaining from meat, sugar, breads or overly processed food; drinking only water and/or juice, and eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. o A Partial Fast • Refrain from eating any food during specific times. For example: 6AM-3PM, or from sunup to sundown. o A Soul Fast • For those who have health restrictions and cannot fast from food or for those who want to re-align and resubmit specific areas of their life to God. For example: Abstinence from social media, shopping, watching television, etc.

The Daniel Fast

Include these foods: o All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. o All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (including veggie burgers). o All whole grains. Including, but not limited to, whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn. o All nuts and seeds, including, nut butters, e.g. peanut butter and almond butter. o All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans. o All high quality oils. o Beverages: Water. o Other: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices.

Avoid these foods: o All meat and animal products. o All dairy products. o All sweeteners. Including, but not limited to, sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice. o All leavened bread, or breads that contain yeast or honey and baked goods. o 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. o All deep-fried foods. Including, but not limited to, potato chips, french fries, corn chips. o All solid fats. Including shortening, margarine, lard, and foods high in fat. o Beverages. Including, but not limited to, coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol

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A GUIDE TO FASTING By Pastor Rick Warren

WHAT IS FASTING?

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Jesus expected His followers to fast and He said that God rewards fasting. Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose. There are many types of fasts:

 A Normal Fast – means to abstain from all food  A Partial Fast – means to eliminate certain foods or specific meals  A “Juice” Fast – means to drink only fruit or vegetable juices during meal times

When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

WHY FAST?

There are many good reasons, and even health benefits, for fasting. However, our ALL-CHURCH UNITED DAY OF FASTING will be to seek God’s will in our lives and prepare us for the new year and our Year of HOPE emphasis. But why fast?

1. Fasting gives you more time for prayer. You can use the time you’d normally spend eating in prayer for what God wants to do among us during this Campaign. In the Bible, fasting is always connected with prayer.

As the king's order reached every area, there was great sadness and loud crying among the Jewish people. They gave up eating and cried out loud, and many of them lay down on rough cloth and ashes to show how sad they were. Esther 4:3

2. Fasting demonstrates the depth of your desire when praying for something. It shows you mean business with God – you are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a personal price. God honors deep desire and praying in faith.

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14

Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Joel 2:12

3. Fasting releases God’s supernatural power. It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God’s will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression and doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy!

So we fasted and prayed to God about this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:23

God says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING

Often in the Bible, God’s people fasted immediately before a major victory, miracle, or answer to prayer. It prepared them for a blessing!

 Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments.

Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:28

 The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory.

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:2-3

 Daniel fasted in order to receive guidance from God.

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3

While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. Daniel 21-22

 Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

 Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation.

For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. Luke 4:2

 The first Christians fasted during decision-making times.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3

TWO CAUTIONS:

1. Remember that fasting is not “earning” an answer to prayer. God cannot be blackmailed by human effort. God wants to answer our prayers and He answers out of grace. Fasting simply prepares us for God’s answer.

2. Fast only if your health allows it at this time. If you are able only to do a partial fast - do it in faith and God will honor your intentions.

NOW, DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF FAST YOU’LL FOLLOW:

Possible Options:

A Normal Fast – skip the next three meals A Partial Fast – skip one or two meals A “Juice” Fast – drink only fruit or vegetable juices during meal times

Note: You should always drink water while fasting