fasting

My top 2007 New Year's resolution is to draw closer to God in my communication with Him. I desire that for First Assembly as well.

I am calling our church family to a time of prayer and fasting on Monday, January 8-10, 2007, culimnating with a "prayer and praise" service on Wednesday evening, January 10th at 7:00 P.M.

I'm calling us to a Daniel fast, which consist of eating fruits and vegetables and drinking fruit juices. I get hungry just thinking about it!

It's kind of humorous to me, because I have been in a couple of conversations lately, where people are nervously wondering if potatoes are a vegetable, potatoes cooked in vegetable oil anyone?

Yet, obviously, no matter what kind of fast people choose, our focus is to get our minds on God. After the holiday season, it's a great time to do that. After a total focus on family, food, fun and perhaps football, it's time to focus in on the father (hey, that's good, I think I'll say that Sunday) our father God.

If you are reading this and would like to join us - here's the announcement that is in the bulletin that gives some of the benefits of fasting and some do's and don'ts.

We as a church body are being called to a "Daniel's fast."

One of the spiritual disciplines that God calls us to is fasting. By humbling us, fasting releases the Holy Spirit to do his work in us. We have a greater awareness of God’s reality and presence in our lives.

• Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Sprit can do a more intense work within us.
• Fasting helps to purify us spiritually.
• Fasting increases our spiritual reception by quieting our minds and emotions.
• Fasting brings yieldedness, even a holy brokenness, resulting in an inner calm and self-control.
• Fasting renews our spiritual vision.
• Fasting inspires determination to follow God’s revealed plan for your life.

Our church family is being called to a 3-day, “Daniel fast.”

What is a Daniel fast? A Daniel fast consists of drinking water, juices, and eating vegetables and fruit.

Here are the specifics:

• January 8-10, 2007

• Prayer times: Monday and Tuesday evening (January 8,9) from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the sanctuary

• All-church prayer and praise service: Wednesday evening (January 10) from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the sanctuary

• All Wednesday evening activities will be canceled (January 10) to allow everyone to attend.

Here are some guidelines to promote fruitful fasting:

1. Remember that your body is "the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Accompany your fast with proper exercise, adequate rest and plenty of water. Physical health is one of the specific promised results of fasting that is properly practiced (Isaiah 58:8).

2. If you are on medication or suffer form any sickness resulting in diet restrictions or precautions, it is sensible to seek medical advice before fasting.


3. When beginning a fast, you may experience unpleasant physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or nausea. Usually, these are indications that your fast in overdue; that you need the purifying physical action of fasting. Do not allow physical discomfort to stop you. "Set your face" and go through with the fast you have planned."


4. Remember that hunger is partly habit. In the early stages of a fast, hunger will probably occur at normal mealtimes. But if you hold out, the sensation of hunger will pass. Drinking water can fool your stomach and is essential during a fast.

5. Before and after fasting, choose meals that promote regularity such as fresh fruit or fruit juices, dried figs, prunes, apricots, oatmeal. etc.



• Enter the fast with positive faith (Hebrews 11:6)
• Expect God to reward fasting that is done humbly and joyfully (Matthew 6:16-18)
• Remember, to fast secretly is more a matter of humility than secrecy (Romans 3:27)
• Set certain objective in your fasting. Write them down and refer back to them at intervals. Your faith will be strengthened as you see God's answers and your objectives achieved.


The very nature of fasting depends upon God's supernatural power. As you participate in our corporate fast, you can expect a supernatural visitation of the Holy Spirit, during which divine wisdom and direction will be given (Acts 13:2-3)