21 Days of Prayer and Fasting




Fasting Overview


Welcome to Impact’s “The X-Factor, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.” As you know by now Impact has been on a spiritual journey to seek God and find out what He has in store for our church. The last several weeks, we’ve engaged God through weekly services, Bethany’s, and a 40 Day Devotional. Each of these opportunities has provided Impact unique ways to connect with God. It’s time to go deeper in seeking God and positioning ourselves as a church to hear clearly from Him and determine His will for our future. We will do this by presenting you with the opportunity to join us in The X-Factor, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Your participation in this event is CRUCIAL as we draw closer together as a church determining His will for us and what role each of us will play in it. Fasting and praying allows us to “turn-off the noise” of all that encumbers us in this life, and it allows us to Reach Up to God in a special way. If you have participated with us in this fast last year, you know it was challenging in some ways, especially if you have never fasted before. However, we want to further challenge you. This year we are asking you to take a deeper step, more than when you fasted than last year. For example, if you fasted 3 days a week a year ago, then this time try extending your fast to the full 21 days, using the guidelines set up for a “Daniel” fast. We’re asking you to prayerfully seek God in how He would like you to join us. It’s going to be an awesome and fresh journey of connecting with God collectively as a church body. Come join us!


What is Biblical Fasting?

Biblical fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is starving—maybe even dieting—but fasting, it is not! Simply stated, biblical fasting is refraining from food for spiritual purposes. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God, and one in which Jesus modeled the way for us, (See John 4:27-38 and Matthew 4:1-3). He said in the era following His earthly ministry, after His ascension, fasting would be part of our walk with Him (Matthew 4:2; 6:16; Mark 2:20).

Fasting is a spiritual discipline much like prayer and giving (Matthew 6). It is also a very special time to seek the Lord, wait upon Him, and truly enjoy a greater sense of closeness with Him. In Psalm 63:1-8, David expresses passionate love and a genuine longing to be with the Lord and in His presence. Every part of his being was crying out for the Lord. What you will find through fasting, as you lay aside food, and even pleasurable things such as the Internet or television, is this same voiceless and passionate cry out to God. The beauty of it brings that greater sense of closeness to Him. The discipline of fasting can cause you to think of and draw closer to God. Just watch what happens to the intimacy of your walk with Him. Listen to how much clearer you’ll hear Him. Observe the clarity of His leading and your sense of direction. There is so much more!

We have provided some very specific guidelines to help in this process. In addition, we have provided some great recipes. Corporately we would like you to join in whatever level of commitment the Lord leads you. Combined with this fast will be daily prayers to focus on. We’re anticipating, and counting on God to move big-time here at Impact... in powerful ways we may not have experienced before. 2Chron 7:14-15, says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” Allow Him to heal our “land” (families, relationships, dwelling, jobs, finances, etc.). It is His desire. We want His “eyes to be open and ears attentive to our prayers.” All He asks is that we humble ourselves (i.e., fasting), pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. We can do all this by joining together in this corporate fast with humble hearts.


Examples of Biblically Themed Fasts:

  • Esther: God’s favor in a time of crisis  (Esther 4)
  • Daniel: Focus & clarity of God’s vision  (Daniel 10)
  • Day of Atonement: Self examination & consecration to the Lord  (Leviticus 23)
  • Before a Major Battle  (Judges 20)
  • Dominion: 40 Days  (Matthew 4)
  • Fasting That Pleases God  (Isaiah 58)
  • God’s Judgment of Mercy  (1 Kings 21) (King Ahab)
  • Seeking God’s Direction, For Our Children, Possessions  (Ezra 8)


Why should I fast?

Are you in need of healing or a miracle? Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
Are you in need of a fresh encounter? Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
Do you desire to know God's will for your life?

Fasting will not guarantee the answer you are seeking or want but, if done properly (and prayerfully), it will allow you to focus on God more or in a different way, and fasting can often lead to spiritual breakthroughs as we wrestle with ourselves and focus more on God.

Who:

Impact’s Elders, Staff, Directors, Members, Attenders and Families. Visitors are welcomed to join us as well!


When:

The fast begins Monday morning, February 15th. It ends on Sunday, March 7th after the 3rd service.


Choosing A Biblical Fast – 5 Types:
***If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.***

  • Absolute: No food or water at all.
    • Esther: 3 Days.
    • Time of Crisis.
  • Normal: No food—water, juices, broths only.
    • Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur—Self examination (sunset to sunset).
    • Extended—more than 24hrs.
  • Partial: setting aside particular foods/drink [wine, meat, bread, desserts]. See food options below.
    • Daniel: 21 Days – See foods acceptable & not acceptable for this fast below.
    • Fruits, vegetables, water/juices.
  • Any combination of the above. Again, as the Lord leads. Beginners are advised to start slow.
  • None of the above, but one in which God desires you to fast from other things such as TV, Internet, video games, going out, chocolates, sodas, etc. Just let it be something of great value to you that you may truly benefit from the intent of this fast, and spend quality time with Him in prayer, reading of the Word, and worship.


How Long:

Decide how long you would like to fast. It’s between you and the Lord. Ideally, we would like as many as possible to join us for the full 21 days. If that seems like a major stretch, that is ok! There are number of combinations you can do. For example:

  • 10 days, 7 days
  • 3 days each week
  • 3—24hr fasts (one day each week)


We don’t want you to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. We also don’t want you to feel left out. We understand that many may have never really fasted to the Lord before. Use wisdom and pray for guidance, and allow the Lord to lead you in this. As a beginner, just start slow (one day each week, from sunset to sunset). For those who may have done some fasting here and there, we suggest trying to do the “3 days” each week—they can be consecutive or spread out. Again, let the Lord speak to your hearts, and just trust Him!



What to Fast:

The type of fast you engage in is up to you and God.  You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats--and the only liquid he drank was water.  Perhaps you will not fast from food during this time, but rather something of great value to you (Internet, chocolate, television, etc.). Regardless of what your fast consists of, remember to focus your time on prayer, worship, and Bible study.  Talk to the Lord in those moments that would normally be filled with food or recreation.  Learn to hear His voice and what’s on His heart for you.  It could be scripture, a special word, or even a picture in your mind that He gives you.  Write it down.  And, if during the fast, those “hunger pains” come along for what you’re fasting from, just talk to the Lord. Let Him know what’s on your heart. He’ll give you the strength to continue as you are reminded of Him through the discipline of fasting.  When you offer up praise during this time of sacrifice, it is very special to Him.


In A Nutshell:


Impact is hoping and praying that everyone is willing to join us in some
way and at some level for this 21 day journey to focus more on God through
fasting and prayer. You can sign-up on-line or at the back of the Worship
Center to do one or more of the following:



1. Do the fast based on the Book of Daniel for all 21 days.
2. Fast from something meaningful to you for all 21 days.
3. Fast from all food from sunrise to sunset for one or more days.
4. Fast from something meaningful to you for a number of days.


All we ask is that you commit to do at least one of the above. During the
fast, any time you are reminded of what you are fasting from and during any
time you save by not having what you are fasting from, focus on and pray to
God and spend some time listening and reflecting. To aid you in this, we
have also created a calendar for you to use in guiding some of your prayers.
We are looking forward to having you be a part of this journey and trust
that it will be a blessing to you in your relationship with Him.



If you have any other questions email our Prayer Ministry.


Guiding Scriptures:

  • Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. (New King James Version)
  • Matthew 6:1,2,5; 16-18 1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give.., 5 "And when you pray... 16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
  • Luke 5:34-35 34 Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast."
  • Romans 12:1"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (New King James Version)
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."
24 Hour Prayer Vigil:

In the final days of The X-Factor's 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Impact will host a special 24 Hour Prayer Vigil: Beginning on Friday, March 5th at 3PM, and concluding on Saturday, March 6th at 3PM. We are asking you to join us in the Impact Worship Center during these hours. Ideally we would like you to commit to a 3 hour "watch" during the vigil. If you can only commit to 1 hour, that's ok too. Regardless, it will be a great time together to connect with God, and bring to a near conclusion the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting as we prepare to make our Commitments. We are also asking you to refrain from eating (if no medical concerns) during this 24 hour period. Drinking fluids is ok. For more information and sign-ups, go to the back of the Worship Center after each service.


Special Thanks:

Impact Community Church would like to give a special thanks to Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel Church for making available to us his excellent resources and highly informational website on Biblical fasting to use as the basis for these materials. His godly insights and depth of understanding provided us with the opportunity to prepare properly for our corporate fast.


Resources:
http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/index.php
http://www.awake21.org/about/
http://www.danielfast.elevationchurch.org/
www.hacres.com/recipes/recipes.asp