A Common-Sense Guide to Fasting Introduction: Most people feel that fasting moves God. No, fasting moves us into a position to

receive from God what He has already provided for us.

Definition of Fasting: Abstaining from Food for a Religious (or Spiritual) Purpose

Why Do We Fast? 1. We fast in obedience to God’s word – Joel 2:12; 2 Cor 6:4-6; Matt 6:16-18;

9:15

2. We fast to humble ourselves before God and obtain His grace and power –

James 4:10

3. We fast to overcome temptation in areas that keep us from moving in God’s

power – Luke 4:1-14

4. We fast to be purified from sin (and to help others become purified as well)

– Dan 9:3-5; Jonah 3:5-10

5. We fast to become weak before God so God’s power can be strong – Psa

109:24-28; 2 Cor 12:9-10

6. We fast to obtain God’s support in order to accomplish His will – Acts 13:3-

4; 14:23

7. We fast in times of crisis – Esther 4:15-16.

8. We fast when seeking God’s direction – Ezra 8:21-23.

9. We fast for understanding and divine revelation – Jer 36:6.

What fasting is not: 1. It is not doing without food for the sake of doing without food

2. It is not dieting – that is adjusting your life for a health reason.

3. It is not a cure-all. It will bring you victory. It is a weapon

4. It is not a major doctrine of the church (Hebrews 6:1-2).

5. It does not negate sin in your life. Sin must be dealt with

6. It is not to impress others

7. It will not automatically make your faith grow – it is what you do when you

fast that makes faith grow.

8. It is not for teaching, reproof, correction or training in righteous – that is the

word of God (2 Tim 3:16).

9. It does not impress God.

10. It does not move God. It moves you into a position to hear or be used of

God.

Different Types of Fasting: 1. The complete fast => a total fast where you eat nothing and drink nothing,

i.e.; 40 days for Moses & Elijah

The longest you should go without food & water is three days.

2. The normal fast => involves total abstention from food, but regular intake of

water.

Some people drink distilled water to clean out your system – to

flush out the poisons or use some lemon juice in the water. Some

people like to have soup broth for longer fasts.

3. The Daniel fast or partial fast => He ate “no pleasant bread” but instead ate

vegetables and drank water

This is a good recommended way to start if you have never fasted

before. This is a good fast for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia

and anemia. It is also practical for people working physically or

mentally demanding jobs.

4. The group fast or corporate fast.

(1) Nineveh in Jonah’s day; (2) Ezra;

(3) Queen Esther; (4) King Jehoshaphat – 2 Chr 20; (5) Joel called a

fast (6) Daniel

5. The “Holy Spirit led” fast

This will be individual to you. The Holy Spirit may lead you to fast a

meal a day, breakfast twice a weeks, coffee, soda, etc.

The Benefits of Fasting: 1. You are humbling yourself. You are submitting yourself to God and His will

for your life.

2. You will see life’s priorities more clearly. The kingdom of God will become

first in your life and you will get clarity concerning your values in life. (Matt

6:33)

3. You will see balance return to areas of your life where there is imbalance

4. Your selfish ambitions and pride will begin to be washed away. You will

start valuing and really appreciating the things that God has given to you

5. You will be more sensitive to God’s Spirit, and the nine gifts of the Holy

Spirit will work more effectively in your life. Things will become very clear

to you.

6. Your hidden areas of weakness or susceptibility will rise to the surface so

that God can deal with them

7. God will make you more unselfish. One of the things we need more of is

self-control. Fasting will help you have self-control.

2015 “SHIFT” FAST Flatlands Church of God | www.flatlandscog.org

Start Date January 3rd, 2015

End Date January 23rd , 2015

Type of Fast: Corporate Fast | Daily from food until 3pm Daily (Water or Tea w/o sugar is ok)

Connection 1. Call-in to the prayer line every weekday (Mon-Fr)

starting Jan 5th through Jan 23rd

TIME: 5:45AM

CALL: 712-775-7000 | Access Code: 296202

2. Every Wednesday in January please meet at our Brooklyn location from

7:30pm – 8:30pm for a time of prayer & worship

3. Along with an increase of daily time spent in prayer we want everyone to

spend 60 seconds every hour that you are awake to meditate and connect

with God. This would be great to do with colleagues, peers or family

together

Personal Focus: Where Do I Fit? To fast for clarity, direction and confidence in your own purpose. To discover where

you fit in regards to this ministry as well as in relation to the circle of influence God

has placed you in (workplace, school, neighborhood, etc.)

Ministry Focus: Where Do We Go From Here? To fast for clarity, direction, provision and opportunity for our ministry to expand in

the physical, mental and spiritual territories.

We want a shift in mindset and to see God shift some things in our ministry, even

when it comes to our physical location and spiritual expectancy