Download “40 DAY ALL CHURCH FAST”

PRAYER & FASTING INFORMATION
JCH will celebrate a season of prayer and fasting as we move into the New Year 2012,
beginning Monday, January 2 through Tuesday, January 31. This is a time for us
corporately to seek God’s heart and direction for JCH.
Prayer is defined as “a supplication or expression addressed to God…an earnest request
or wish.” The Bible encourages us to Pray…and do not doubt in heart. All things for
which you pray, ask believing that you have received them and they shall be granted to
you…(Mark 11:23-24)
What is a fast?
According to Grolier’s Encyclopedia, fasting is the practice of abstaining from food,
either completely or partially, for a specified period. It is an ancient practice found in
most religions of the world. Traditionally, fasting has been a widely used form of
asceticism, and a penitential practice observed for the purpose of purifying the person or
atoning for sins and wrong-doing.
Most religions designate certain days or seasons as times of fasting for their adherents,
such as Lent, Yom Kippur and Ramadan. Certain events in the lives of individual
persons have been considered appropriate times for fasting, such as the day or night
before a major personal commitment. Prayer is supposed to accompany fasting. In this
respect, fasting should be distinguished from abstinence.
The Chinese have fasted since their beginnings, which some scholars think was four
generations after Noah’s family. The earliest writings in the Chinese language are found
on bones and pottery, dated 2,000 B.C. These writings include stories of a seven-day
Creation, the fall of humans from their favored place in a garden, a great flood and many
other accounts also recorded in Genesis. Similar flood stories are found in more than 200
ancient languages. The practice of fasting may have been handed down through Noah’s
offspring. Did Noah, in turn, receive the tradition from the very week of Creation itself,
when God rested on the seventh day? The Sabbath rest may have been designed for the
digestive system as well as for a religious observance.
Many heroes and heroines of the faith spent time fasting – people such as Moses, David,
Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Elijah, Hannah, Jesus, Paul, John and his disciples, and Anna.
Furthermore, many leaders God has used throughout history have practiced fasting.
Including Luther, Calvin, Wesley and Knox. Reading about their lives and work makes it
evident that fasting was vital both to their relationship with Creator and to their
leadership and influence.
Why should you fast?
Isaiah 58:6-8 gives a veritable laundry list of warnings as well as positive results that can
occur when we submit ourselves to the discipline of fasting. God says He has chosen
fasts that (1) loosen the bonds of wickedness, (2) undo heavy burdens, (3) let the
oppressed go free, (4) break every yoke, (5) give bread to the hungry and provide the
poor with housing, (6) allow the people’s light to break forth like the morning, (7) cause
their health to spring forth speedily, (8) cause their righteousness to go before them and
(9) cause the glory of the Lord to be their reward (or “rear guard”).
Are you fasting for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of
problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify
His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more
specifically and strategically.
Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir
our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make
this a priority in your fasting.
Kinds of Fasting
1. The normal fast is going without food for a definite period. The duration can be
one day, as in Judges 20:26, NIV Biblical fast were also held for 3 days, 1 week,
1 month and as long as 40 days. Extreme care should be taken with longer fasts,
and medical advice from one’s physician is necessary.
2. The absolute fast is going without food or water, and should be short. Moses’ 40
day fast would kill anyone without supernatural intervention. Be sure to test the
spirit that tries to talk you into a 40 day fast without water, because normally it is
a physical impossibility.
3. The partial fast includes omitting one meal a day, or omitting certain foods for a
certain period. Eating only fresh vegetables for several days is a good partial fast.
John Wesley ate only bread (whole grain) and water for many days. Elijah fasted
(partially) twice. John the Baptist and Daniel with his three friends are other
examples of partial fasts. People who have hypoglycemia or other diseases could
use this kind of fast.
4. A rotational fast involves avoiding certain foods periodically. For example, food
families such as grains are eaten only every fourth day. Three days of fasting
without grains of any kind may be followed by one day in which grains are eaten.
The various food families are rotated so that some food is available each day.
Does fasting involve only food?
No, fasting can involve anything that one might “sacrifice” in order to give attention to
God. (Most Biblical references to fasting, however, do include food.)
Other areas of fasting might include TV, video games, internet surfing, social internet
sites, cell phones, excessive working out, etc. What area(s) of your life could you give up
for a time to be able to spend intentional time with God?
What are some options?
Individuals can fast a meal or more a day, one day at a time, extended times such as three
days a week, one week a month for an entire year, or 40 days a year.
Make your commitment!
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers
should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15). For Him it was a matter of when believers
would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:




How long you will fast- one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days.
Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.
Type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices;
what kinds of juice will you drink and how often.)
What physical or social activities you will restrict.
How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word.
Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical
temptations and life’s pressures temp you to abandon it.
Prepare yourself spiritually
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Un-confessed sin will hinder
your prayers. Prepare your heart by asking God to help you make a comprehensive list of
your sins. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept
God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and
forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4). Make restitution as the
Holy Spirit leads you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His
command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15. Surrender your life fully
to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master, refuse to obey your worldly nature (Roman12:1,
2). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness,
grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9, 10; 103:1-8, 11-13). Begin your time of
fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Do no underestimate spiritual
opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit
(Galatians 5:16,17).
Prepare yourself physically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you
take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some person should never fast
without professional supervision.
Physical preparation make the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that
you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Do not rush into your fast. Prepare
your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
While you fast
During your time of prayer and fasting avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and
homeopathic remedies. Limit your activity and exercise only moderately. Walk one to
three miles each day if convenient and comfortable. Rest as much as your schedule will
permit. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience,
crankiness, and anxiety. Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day.
You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the “blahs.” Withdrawal from caffeine
and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness,
tiredness, or sleeplessness.
The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will
likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should
you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.
Put yourself on a schedule
For your maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord.
Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your
fast will be. When possible, begin and end each day on your knees for a brief time of
praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and
study of His Word are often better spent alone. A dietary routine is vital as well.
Tips for fasting
 Consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses water (stem-distilled) a day Dilute all
juices with water, adding about 1 part water to 3 parts juice.
 Mix acidic juices (orange or tomato juice) with water for your stomach’s sake and
avoid all juices made with sweeteners or other additives.
 Drinking juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar
energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue.
 The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage,
beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy
warm vegetable broth.
 Avoid caffeinated drinks, chewing gum or mints. They stimulate digestive action
in your stomach.
End your fast gradually
How you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual wellbeing. Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast.
Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have
negative even dangerous consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day.
Start with a little soup and fresh fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a
few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked
potato. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will
result in continued good health.
Expect results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if
you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of
His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your
confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and
physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.
A single fast is not a cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we
also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly
rewarding to many Christians.
It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it though your
first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or
you may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. God will honor you for your
faithfulness.
(Guidelines from 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright, 1995)