DETERMINE FASTING PURPOSE & SET
CLEAR OBJECTIVES
WHAT IS FASTING?
Jesus said to His disciples, “nothing shall be impossible for you if
you have faith as a mustard seed”. The disciples were unable to
maximize the spiritual power available to them because of their
unbelief. Jesus took it to another level, saying, “this kind does not
go out except by prayer and fasting”. Much like the disciples,
believers today do not experience victory in many areas of life
because of their lack of faith or unbelief as well as the absence of
spiritual discipline. [Matthew 17:14-20]. After all, the natural man
does not receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are
foolishness to him, nor can he know them because they are
spiritually discerned. [2 Corinthians 2:14].
Fasting is a spiritual discipline characterized by self examination,
purification, realigning the mindset and focusing on God. There are
arguments and opinions which seek to associate fasting with a
hunger strike or a mere diet for health reasons, however, there are
scripture references which support fasting as a spiritual discipline
that refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
Fasting helps us to keep balance in life. How often we fail to
prioritize effectively? We are guilty of putting second things first.
Non-essentials take precedence in our lives, we crave things we do
not need, strongholds develop and we become slaves to them. Like
Paul, our testament should be, I will not be mastered by anything.”
[I Corinthians 6:12]. “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so
that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified
for the prize.” [I Corinthians 9:27].
Fasting reveals the things that control us. We tend to cover up
what is inside of us with food and other things, but in fasting these
things will surface.
Whether it is pride, anger, bitterness,
unforgiveness, jealousy, strife or fear, it will surface during your
time of fasting. Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves
before God so that the Holy Spirit sets our souls on fire and
awakens our spiritual [inner] man that we may experience healing
and wholeness individually, as a church and as a nation. “If My
people who are called by My name will humble themselves and
pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will
hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. [2
Chronicles 7:14].
Fasting has been given to us by God. The scriptures instruct us in
the words of Christ, “but you, when you fast, anoint your head and
wash your face”. [Matthew 6:17]. God centered fasting draws one
closer to Him and allows us to experience a deeper relationship with
Him. Like Anna, the prophetess, she “worshiped and served the
Lord day and night with fasting and praying.” [Luke 2:37].
Pray and seek God’s heart concerning your time of prayer and
fasting. What type of fast does the Lord desire for you to
undertake? In the case of a “corporate” fast, guidelines will be
outlined for you but you should still pray and seek God’s heart
concerning you. Corporate Fasting: II Chronicles 20:3-4, Joel 2:15-16,
Acts 27:33-37.
There is a fast that the Lord has chosen for you, it is outlined in
Isaiah 58 [read in its entirety]. Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
(1) To loose the bonds of wickedness; (2) To undo the heavy
burdens; (3) To let the oppressed go free; (4) To break every yoke; (5)
To share your bread with the hungry; (6) To bring the poor to your
house that are cast out; (7) Clothe, cover the naked and do not hide
yourself from your own flesh?
MAKING A COMMITMENT
How do I make my time with the Lord more meaningful and more
spiritually rewarding? Preparation and beginning is half our battle.
How you prepare and how you begin and conduct your fast will
largely determine your success.
Covenant with God on your fasting commitment, ask Him to give
you grace to complete the fast you start. Take adequate time to
prepare spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially and
prayerfully. Write down all aspects of your prayer fast that you
may refer to them when needed.
The foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. If you fail to
confess and forsake your sins, yours prayers will be hindered.
Following are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

Seek God and pray earnestly for guidance and direction
concerning the fast you are about to undertake.

Structure and increase your personal devotional time. Be still,
listen, hear the voice of the Lord act in obedience to the leading
of the Spirit.

Ask the Lord to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, making
known to you any sins. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit
brings to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness
[2 John 1:9].

Seek forgiveness from all you have offended and forgive all
who have hurt you [Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4].

Surrender all unto Jesus Christ and ask Him to fill you afresh
with the anointing power of the Holy Spirit. [Ephesians 5:18;
1 John 5:14-15; Romans 12:1-2]


Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty,
power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, etc. (Psalm
48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
PREPARING PHYSICALLY
What is your personal commitment?

How will you prepare spiritually?

What are your physical limitations?

How will you prepare financially?
Seek the necessary professional supervision to evaluate any physical
limitations you may have. Fasting requires precautionary measures,
consult your physician first, if you have sensitive medical concerns
and needs. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your
eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention
to the Lord in prayer.

How will you prepare prayerfully?

Do not rush into your fast.

Set a schedule of daily activities.


How much time each day will you devote to prayer and
reading and studying the Word of God?
Begin to wean yourself from caffeine, sugar, bread, fried foods,
etc. Eat smaller meals, raw fruit and vegetables

Drink lots of water, [adding lemon or organic apple cider
vinegar to your water will assist greatly in appetite suppression
as well as provide a mild natural body detox].
Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain
your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you
to abandon it.

Exercise regularly - workout, walk, run, lift weights, etc. at least
3 times a week. Romans 12:1, instructs us to present our bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God
PREPARING FINANCIALLY



PREPARING MENTALLY

Ask God to realign your mindset, then relax, renew your mind,
focus and trust God to do the rest.

Study the scriptures to show yourself approved unto God, read
words of inspiration and encourage yourself.

Discuss the fast with your household family members and
outline behavior expectations with spouse and children.
[husbands and wives, be sure to discuss intimate limitations and
expectations].

Be confident in committing to the specified time of fasting
individually, as a family and corporately.

Believe in faith that God will strengthen you daily to endure
your time of fasting.

Consider how you will handle temptation blockers.

Plan your meals, develop a grocery list and go shopping.
Decide how and when you will prepare meals for self and the
family.

Decide how you will maintain your exercise program.
PREPARING PRAYERFULLY
Be spiritually discerning in regards to opposition. [Galatians
5:16-17].

WHY ARE YOU FASTING?
Is it for spiritual renewal, for direction, for guidance, for healing, for
the restoration of marriage or family issues, for disobedient,
rebellious children, for special grace to handle a difficult situation?
Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His objectives for your prayer fast.
This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.
PREPARING SPIRITUALLY
Pay your tithes and offerings. Prepare a budget and monitor
spending.
Decide on and commit to sacrificial giving to the B.L.E.S.S.
campaign over the next two years.

Prayer is an act of faith and obedience.

Prayer is communicating (talking) with JESUS .

Prayer is thankfulness, believing, asking seeking and receiving
God’s best for you.

Prayer is a means of intervention as well as a weapon to resist
our adversary.

Prayer is a key to unlock every door.
Jesus always sought God early in the morning. He maintained
constant fellowship with God. [Luke 9:18; Matthew 14:23]. He always
prayed before he made a major decision. He prayed all night before
he chose his disciples. [Luke 6:12-16]. He prayed so as not to fall into
temptation. [Luke 22:40-43]. He prayed in order to seek the Will of
His Father. [Luke. 9:28; 11:1].
Prayer Scriptures
Psalm 116:1-2 - I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my
cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as
long as I live.
Isaiah 65:24 - Before they call I will answer; while they are still
speaking I will hear.
Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart.
Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work
within us.
I Thessalonians 5:17-18 - Pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
To Seek of the Lord:


Fast as an act of worship. [Prophetess Anna, Luke 2:37].

Fast as a statement of your faith and as a spiritual
commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
[Daniel 1:8-15].

Fasting disciplines our flesh and renews our spirit, therefore, fast for spiritual cleansing and renewal, for direction,
guidance and healing. [Psalm 51]

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before
God so that the Holy Spirit will stir our souls and reveal to
us the things that control us. [Psalm 35:13; 2 Chronicles 7:14;
Isaiah 58].

Fasting centered on God draws one closer to Him and
helps us to develop a deeper relationship with Him.
[Matthew 16:24; Daniel 9:3; James 4:8-10].
A transformed mindset in agreement with God’s
will, casting down thoughts and imaginations that
exalt themselves against God.

Wisdom, guidance and protection for the pastor, his
family and ministry.

A harvest of souls to join us where God is already
working.

A fully engaged membership to serve in their area
of God-given giftedness

A closer, more intimate relationship with Christ,
thereby growing to deeper depths and higher
heights in Him. Release from spiritual bondage.

Guidance, direction and clear instructions
concerning our spiritual purpose in Jesus Christ,
our path and destiny throughout this year.

Discernment, wisdom and revelation knowledge in
all matters of life and ministry.

Deliverance of disobedient, rebellious children that
they may regain focus, staying on God’s straight,
narrow path.

Healing, deliverance and restoration of marriage
and family challenges.

To grow in giving, especially in our B.L.E.S.S.
commitments yielding financial increase and
stability.

Fasting and prayer demonstrates our faithfulness to stand
in the gap for others. Fast for the restoration of marriage or
family issues, for disobedient, rebellious children, for grace
to handle a difficult situation. [Matthew 6:17-18; Luke 18:9-14].

Fasting helps us to achieve balance in our life, develop and
maintain disciplines that free us from spiritual bondage.
[1 Corinthians 6:12; 9:27].

Fasting sensitizes our heart and ears so that we may hear
the voice of the Spirit clearly. Fasting heals and gives us
spiritual power over the enemy. [James 5:13-16; Matthew
17:14-21].

Fasting is an opportunity to sow seeds for long-term
spiritual growth and change [Jeremiah 29:11-14;Acts 13:1-12].
I______________________________covenant with God by committing to
prayer and fasting under the suggested guidelines
from March 13, 2011 - April 22, 2011
Modifications, if any: _______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My personal commitment to fasting includes the reasons outlined in this brochure as well as those listed below:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Spiritual Preparations : __________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Physical Limitations: ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
With the help of God, by His grace and mercy, I will be committed to prayer and fasting
from March 13th – April 22nd, 2011
_________________________________________________
Signature /Date
Others in my household committed to the covenant of fasting:
________________________________________________
Signature / Date
______________________________________________
Signature / Date