pastor Jerry’s
Edevo
This year, Pastor Jerry has included special prayer focuses in his daily EDevos that will be sent out during the 21 days of the fast. Click the link below to sign up to receive Pastor Jerry’s EDevo to prepare yourself spiritually and find encouragement during this time of fasting.
FASTING TIPS
Please Note: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician prior to beginning your fast, especially if you are taking any medication, have a chronic condition, or are pregnant or nursing a baby. As you prepare to fast, it is important to choose a fasting plan that works for you. While this section provides some general information about different types of fasts, as well as some suggestions on how to create your own fasting plan, it is important to mention that there is nothing more inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. These are simply guidelines and suggestions on different things you can do. Do not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Keep the main thing the main thing, which is drawing closer to God.
3 STEPS TO GETTING STARTED
STEP 1: START WHERE YOU ARE
We’re all at different places in our walk with God. Likewise, our jobs, daily schedules, and health conditions are all different and place various levels of demands on our energy. So most importantly, whether you’ve fasted before or this is your first time, start where you are. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it’s very important to know your own body, know your options and, most importantly, seek God in prayer and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Remember the goal of fasting is not just to do without food. The goal is to draw nearer to God.
STEP 2: FIND YOUR FAST ZONE
When most people start fasting, there is typically some level of discomfort. However, it is possible to get used to the fasting routine pretty quickly. Quite simply, you must learn to fast in a way that works for you. While any true biblical fast does involve abstinence from food or at least certain types of food. However, different fasting combinations work better for different people, and the goal of having a successful fast is all about finding what we like to call your Fast Zone. This is different for everybody and can change depending on your season of life.
The best way to describe your Fast Zone is that it’s the place where you feel light and spiritually in tune. Your mind is easily focused on God and spiritual things. You have an increased spiritual energy—you can feel the fast working. Just like runners know what their target heart rate is to see the benefits of their physical training, the Fast Zone is similar in a spiritual sense.
STEP 3: CHOOSE YOUR TYPE OF FAST
While preparing for your fast, it is important to choose ahead of time what type of fast, or what combination of fasts, you’ll pursue. Not only will this help with making the necessary preparations to implement your plan, but as you commit to a specific fast ahead of time and know how you’re going to do it, you’ll position yourself to finish well.
The goal is not what you’re fasting from; instead, you should be focusing on what you’re fasting for – a renewed relationship with Jesus. Choose something that takes you away from growing in that relationship. Some examples are: Daniel Fast, social media fast, fasting from tv/entertainment, fasting from fast food or eating at restaurants, or fasting from alcohol.
TYPES OF FASTS
SPECIFIC FOOD OR ACTIVITY FAST
In this type of fast you omit a specific item(s) from your meal plans. For example, you may choose to eliminate all red meat, alcohol, processed or fast food, or sweets. Most people can incorporate this type of fast relatively easily. It can also prove to be a great solution for people with specific dietary needs or medical conditions that may cause certain limitations.
Prayer and fasting are not just about connecting to God but also about disconnecting from the world. Try to tune out some of the regular distractions from your day as much as possible. Replace that time with things that will nourish you spiritually.
THE DANIEL FAST
The Daniel fast is a great model to follow and one that is extremely effective for spiritual focus, bodily discipline, and purification of the body and soul. It is probably one of the most commonly referred-to fasts; however, within the Daniel fast there is room for broad interpretation.
In the book of Daniel, we find two different times where the prophet Daniel fasted. Daniel 1 states that he only ate vegetables and water, and in Daniel 10, while the passage does not give a specific list of foods that Daniel ate, it does state that he ate no rich (or choice) foods, as well as no meat or wine. So based on these two verses, we can see that either of these, or combinations of the two, constitute a Daniel fast.
Again, it is important to mention that there is nothing inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. The foundation of the Daniel fast is fruits and vegetables. Some starchy vegetables and dairy could be included, but that depends on the individual. Your goal should be to seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Just remember: find your personal Fast Zone.
THE JUICE FAST
A juice fast is simply consuming vegetable and fruit juices and water instead of solid food. Many people include whey protein in their liquid plan as well.
THE WATER FAST
While periodic water fasts can be very beneficial, extreme precautions should be taken. For some people, it is hard to perform effectively at their jobs and have energy for their families while drinking only water. We recommend consulting your physician first, and water fasting only for a day or two.
THE TOTAL FAST
A total fast is where nothing—neither liquid, solid food, nor even water—is consumed for a very short period of time. There are examples of this type of fast in the Bible. It was an Old Covenant type of fast associated with mourning, such as when David and Bathsheba’s baby was sick. David fasted for a week before hearing the baby had died (2 Samuel 12). Under the New Covenant, we do not fast to mourn or to seek forgiveness. God has already forgiven us, and we are commanded to celebrate Jesus because He is alive. Plus, complete abstinence of food and water can be very dangerous to our health. Attempting to go without water for any period of time can be extremely harmful to the body. We strongly discourage the total fast.