Week of Fasting

January 23 - 30
Engage

Detach from food and attach to god

Throughout the Bible, men and women abstained from food in various manners – this is referred to as biblical fasting.  Fasting is a way to detach from food and attach to God; to disconnect from feeding the flesh and connect with the Lord.  When paired with prayer, fasting can yield tremendous spiritual benefit.  It is one of the tools God uses to free us from bondage, reminding us that we are dependent on God to break the bonds.  Fasting gets our focus off ourselves and onto others while supernaturally infusing us with greater compassion.  (Isaiah 58:5-7)

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7 Principles of Biblical Fasting from Isaiah

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:To loose the bonds of wickedness,To undo the [c]heavy burdens,To let the oppressed go free,And that you break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,And that you bring to your house the poor who are [d]cast...

Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast is simply abstinence from ordinary foods and only eating fruits and vegetables.  Other foods such as legumes or nuts can be a part of the Daniel fast if needed.  This fast is viable for not only beginners but those with moderate to severe health concerns.

24-Hour Fast

Otherwise known as intermittent fasting, this fast goes from noon to noon completing a 24-hour period.  This is not an easy fast, but it is a reasonable way to begin the typical biblical fasting experience.  Over time you can begin to fast for longer periods of time.  This fast is wonderful for not only beginners but those with moderate to severe health concerns.

36-Hour Fast

This fast is a fast from morning to morning, where all 3 typically eaten meals are skipped for one entire cycle and eating is resumed the next day.

3-Day Fast

A 3-day fast is more rigorous reraining from food for 3 – 36 hour periods.  This fast skips food for 3 ordinary cycles of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

7 - Day Fast

A 7-day fast is the most challenging of the 5 basic fasting experiences and is generally something to be worked towards after working through the first 3 fasts refraining from food.  This fast is very demanding but can be accomplished with care.

Drink Water!

Regardless of which fast you choose, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water!  Although water might not be your usual norm, without getting water from food and other sources, drinking plentifully is critical during a fast!

Start small and don't be afraid of failure.

It’s not our success or accomplishments that count, it’s our heart and effort.  If you think you may want some encouragement throughout the week, let us know!  If you have any specific prayer requests during this week – please share so we can join you in prayer.