FASTING	GUIDE

21- Day Devotional, Fasting and Prayer Guide
By starting each year with corporate fast many Christians and Churches have found that God meets with us in very unique and special ways. His presence grows greater and greater with each day of the fast. Without fail, He always shows up!

Corporately fasting in January is much the same precept as praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. I believe along with many Pastors that, ifwe will pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year! "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you"

Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to be able to enjoy. It's not a punishment; it's a privilege! By making fasting a way oflife, you can get closer to God and grow in your spiritual walk like never before. Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives. Through fasting, you can experience restoration in your relationships ...financial blessings...spiritual renewal...supernatural healing and so much more.

Another reward of fasting has to do with your future. God has given you a vision, a divine dream for your life. When you fast, you open up the blessing and opportunities He has provided for you to pursue that · dream. As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance. Focus your faith on your dream and God will show you how you can turn your vision into a reality. Begin pursuing your divine dream today and make the rewards of fasting part of your lifestyle.

When you fast and pray, you will see amazing results from God. You will see godly changes in your home/family, prayers answered in incredible ways, wisdom gained about hard issues, and in it all, you will mostly appreciate that your own desires become secondary to God's. It's all about putting him first, and letting our Shepherd lead the way all year long. Without a doubt, fasting sets you on a great course every year.
Ps. 37:23 says, "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way" (nasb)
Many people believe the first week is the hardest during a fast. Symptoms like grumpiness, sleepiness, headaches, and cravings are all normal because your body is detoxing. The detox part can last for as few as 3 days, but it normally takes a week to feel refreshed (and stronger than ever).

What's the easiest thing about it? You can make your healthy food, like bean soups and snacks for the week ahead. Because you are eating so fresh, your meals and snacks can easily be prepared ahead of time. By the time your first week is up you will be use to leaving your house with your healthy food. Once your body detoxes, smells that come from places like fast-food restaurants can even become gruesome instead of desirable.

You can still feed your family like normal. Fasting is a joy! It's only our flesh that complains; but the joy you can find in fasting can even show your children how good and pleasant it is to serve God.

Don't expect that every single one of you will join us in our fast but I would like you to pray about reading through the 21-day devotional and prayer guide listed below. So if you can't fast, you can join, with equal impact by praying for God's grace and strength for those who do! Take this time and pray for our Church. Pray for God to move with divine direction and that in 2023 He will give us dreams, revelation, and visions both Church corporately and individually.

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." He has amazing things in store for us, and I am encouraged and excited about our next year.

Resources: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3405-awakening- 21-days-of-prayer-and-fasting-devotional

"Daniel Fast" by Susan Gregory. I read this tool and found it very beneficial. Susan Gregory is all about teaching this delightful discipline, and she shares a very informative Bible-based insight on Daniel fasting. You will also be able to receive more valuable resources, like prayers, recipes & scriptures for your fast, etc. Thee-book which she offers is for free on her website. Susan Gregory's website is: http://daniel-fast.com.
You might want to study more about fasting by reading some of the resources that are available or watching some of the television broadcasts that will focus on the January Fasting Movement. You can also find updated links and resources on The Daniel Fast Blog.
The Daniel Fast website: http://Daniel-Fast.com
The Daniel Fast Blog: http://DanielFast.WordPress.com
Jentezen Franklin Ministries: www.TentezenFranklin.org
The Fasting Movement: www.TheFastingMovement.com
Types of fast and what they require.
Broad Types

Corporate: This is a called fast done by the Pastor or Leader of a church or group of people. (see 1 Kings 21:9, Ezra 8:21, Esther 4:16) This type of fast requires that the people are on one accord about the fast and will be in compliance to what the Pastor or Leader, by the leading of the Holy Spirit has called them to do.

Private: This is a personal fast for an individual or husband and wife, lead by the Lord. (see Matthew 6:18)
Specific Types

Daniel Fast: No meat, sweet foods or strong drinks (see Daniel 10:2-3). This can be done for an extended period of time; this could also be considered a vegetarian diet because there is no meat intake. This is the Fasting NLC is encouraging the body to prayerfully consider doing this year.

Partial Fast: This would be not eating one main meal you would usually eat on a daily routine, such as breakfast, or lunch or dinner. This meal would be skipped until the fast was over.

Half-Day: Fast until 3 p.m. (ninth hour). This is the fast John Wesley participated in. (see Acts 10:30-31)
Complete Fast: This would require you to abstain from all solid foods, liquids only. When Jesus fasted in the desert, the Bible says, "After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry." This verse does not mention Jesus being thirsty.
(see Luke 4:1-2)

Total Fast: This is a full and complete fast, no food or drink Acts 9:9 describes when Paul went on a full fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Esther also called for this type fast in Esther 4:15-16. This type of fast should be done with extreme caution and not for extended periods of time. Not
recommended byNLC, DO ONLY UNDER THE INSTRUCTION OF GOD

Juice Fast: This is a fast where only fresh fruits and vegetables are juiced in a juicer. If you can't juice your own fruits or veggies, try buying juices without sugar or additives. When using fruits that are acidic, such as lemons, oranges, and even tomatoes, dilute with water for your stomach sake.
Lengths of Fast

Half-Day: see Judges 20:26, Acts 10:30
One Day
Three Days: see Acts 9:9, Esther 4:15-16
Seven Days: see 1 Samuel 31:13
Fourteen Days: see Acts 27:33
Twenty-One Days: see Daniel 10:3
Forty Days: see 1 Kings 19:8, Luke 4:1-2

NOTE: The length of the fast should be dependent on three factors:

Your Health
God's Leading
Type of Fast.

USING WISDOM IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT IN FASTING
Other Activities to Commitment to Fasting

Although not mentioned in the Bible we as Christians today can also commit to fasting from other activities:
Electronics
Computers
C. TV
Video Games
Limited cell phone use if possible
Try to give up some entertainment like sports and movies and focus more on prayer and studying the Word of God during the times we do some of the mentioned activities.

Daniel Fast: Foods to Avoid

Basically, you want to avoid the king's food. Some might sum it up to say that you shouldn't have the king's burgers or fries. You should probably avoid the golden arches as well. However many fast food restaurants now have salads. To avoid the king's food means that we are definitely avoiding all those things that the Jews couldn't eat. We're also avoiding foods that only royalty in ancient days could afford. It wasn't until recent historythat most Americans could afford to eat meat or poultry. Today, in most of the world, very few people can afford to eat any kind of meat or processed foods, like the foods in this list.
Meat, because Daniel didn't want to take the chance of eating non-kosher meat and/or meat that was offered to idols
White flour and all products using it
White rice, white bread, hominy and pasta
Fried foods
Caffeine
Carbonated beverages including diet sodas
Wine or any other alcoholic drinks
Foods containing preservatives or additives
Refined sugar
High fructose corn syrup
Chemical sugar substitutes
Margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products
Daniel fast: Foods to eat

Daniel seemed to eat only things planted for harvest and drank only water. You may want to keep it simple and eat only vegetables and drink only water.

Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, rolled oats, oatmeal, barley, corn, popcorn, wheat	,
Legumes: Dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, green beans, green peas, peanuts, etc. Grain legumes include beans, lentils, lupines, peas and peanuts
	Fruits: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, breadfruit, cantaloupe, cherries, coconuts, cranberries, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, grenadine, guava, honeydew melons, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, mulberry, nectarines, oats, strawberries, tangelos, watermelon, etc.
	Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, gingerroot, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, any peppers, any potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions spinach, spouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, etc.
	Seeds: All nuts, natural peanut butter, natural almond butter, sprouts, ground flax, etc.
Liquids: Spring water, distilled water, filtered water, 100% all natural fruit or vegetable juices.

Other Food Items to Avoid During the Fast
Avoid caffeinated drinks
Avoid chewing gum and mints, even if your breath is bad. Drink decaffeinated mint tea to assist with your breath.

*These items stimulate digestive action in your stomach and may make you feel hungry.
Why Pray?

Praying to our Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ, using God's Holy Word (scripture) in prayer is the most powerful thing we can do for ourselves, and others. The heart of prayer is the will of our Heavenly Father. Part of that will is simply coming to Him. He desires us, as His dear children to know Him. He desires your love, your attention, your fellowship (more than just being related to Him through Jesus), He also desires a time of communion, an intimate time of personal exchange and involvement and finally a release of His will and manifest Presence in the earth through prayer.

As you pray for your needs and the needs of others, you are actually becoming a prayer warrior, and intercessor, just as Jesus was and is today for each ofus. Jesus is constantly interceding for us to our Heavenly Father. It is written that Jesus was sent to destroy the works of the devil (1 John3:8). We are to do the same. We have the power and authority through Jesus Christ. All we have to do is live in the promise of the Word of God and to use His precious Name.

The most powerful weapons we have are the Name of Jesus Christ and God's Holy Word against satan and his foul wicked demons. No power of darkness can stand against the Word of God in the Name of Jesus Christ and through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The importance of confessing our sins and worshipping God, according to the Word of God: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalms 66:18 "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and a worshipper of Him and does His will, He listens to him." John 9:31 (Prayerlessness is a sin according to 1 Samuel 12:23)

Each day during your fast, we encourage you to keep a daily journal. Write any revelations that God gives you about yourself and about life in general.