A Note From Our Pastors, Regarding Prayer & Fasting
Types Of Fasting
There are several types of fasting. The one you choose is between you and God. He will honor your best sacrifice.
FULL FAST
Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).
THE DANIEL FAST
Eat no meat, no sweets, no dairy products, and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.
3-DAY FAST
This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast, or you can 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 you can give up at least one item of food.
Quick Tips
HOW TO BEGIN
Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, or restoration in your marriage or other relationships? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.
DECIDING WHAT TO FAST
The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.
DECIDING HOW LONG
We are fasting for 21 days. You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.
HOW TO END
Don't overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
A new year brings with it the excitement of new possibilities and a fresh start. It is both a time of reflection and anticipation, as we think about the things we’ve experienced, and look forward to all God has in store. And although we can’t change the past, we can take what we’ve learned from our experiences and from the experiences of others, and use those things as fuel to propel us forward. God has blessings that await us as we position ourselves with God at the center of our lives. Fasting and prayer help us do that.
That’s why we start every new year with a 21-Day Fast. This year, we are asking you to connect your faith with ours as we seek God’s blessing and direction in the areas of leadership, finances, and divine connections. Be sure to include the areas you are seeking God about personally, as well. As we give God our first and our best, God will honor our sacrifices and bless and multiply us in those areas.
People in the Bible like Daniel and Ester, among others, show us the power of prayer and fasting, and how it can even change the course of history. This is our opportunity as a church, to press in to the things of God, to grow in our relationship with Him, and to set the tone for the rest of our year.
The word “fast” in Hebrew means, “cover over the mouth”, and in Greek it means, “to abstain from food.” This is exactly what we’ll be doing during our 21-Day Fast as we refrain from eating food so that we can seek God like never before. As we seek Him first, the promise of Matthew 6:33 begins working in our lives. It says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” What an amazing promise!
Do you need a fresh start? Do you need a breakthrough? Do you need to know God better? Do you need to hear His voice? Do you need an epic change? Are you ready to live a life that you love? Then this 21-Day Fast is for you! Get ready to experience God’s best for your life. During this special time, we believe God is going to speak to you like never before and show you things you never knew. You are about to experience revelation, direction, vision, healing, and breakthrough, and to discover the rewards of putting God first.
We are so glad you’ve decided to take this fasting journey with us. We bless you.
Love, Pastors Paul and Becki Stieb
What Is Fasting?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. Simply put, it’s refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. It’s about aligning ourselves with God and what He really wants to do in and through our lives. As a church, we are fasting together in order to deepen our relationship with God, as well as get in step with His plan and purpose for us during this coming year. Over the next 21 days, we will substitute our regular food intake with disciplines that help us better connect with God—reading the Bible, praying, and journaling. The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God. Remember: the idea is to be realistic, not legalistic. Focusing on the details of connecting with God, rather than the details of the menu, will help you discover the blessings of fasting. If you have medical conditions that hinder your ability to fast, you may fast other things besides food such as tv, social media, etc. If you are unsure, consult your physician. Remember to use wisdom. God sees your heart and will honor your efforts.