STEP 1-SET YOUR OBJECTIVE – 2 CHRONICLES 7:14
PURPOSE OF FASTING:
***· FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, DIRECTION OR REVELATION
***· FOR HEALING
***· FOR DELIVERANCE
TYPES OF FAST:
***·A PARTIAL FAST – OBSERVING A SPECIAL OR RESTRICTED DIET
***·A NORMAL FAST – NO FOOD – ONLY LIQUIDS – A normal fast will be of varying length, anywhere from one meal, to one day, three days, seven days, or even twenty-one days, but it will never exceed forty days.
***·A TOTAL FAST – NO FOOD OR WATER – It should never be attempted for longer than three days, and only if the Lord’s direction is unmistakably clear.
THE VERY FUNDATION OF FASTING AND PRAYER IS REPENTANCE. UNCONFESSED SIN WILL HINDER YOUR PRAYERS.
HERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE YOUR HEART:
***·CONFESS EVERY SIN AND ACCEPT GOD’S FORGIVENESS
***·SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM ALL WHOM YOU HAVE OFFENDED, AND FORGIVE ALL WHO HAVE HURT YOU
***·ASK GOD TO FILL YOU WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT ACCORDING TO HIS COMMAND AND PROMISE
***·SURRENDER YOUR LIFE FULLY TO JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND MASTER; REFUSE TO OBEY YOUR WORLDLY NATURE
***·MEDIATE ON THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD, HIS LOVE, SOVEIGNTY, POWER, WISDOM, FAITHFULNESS, GRACE, AND COMPASSION
***·BEGIN YOUR TIME OF FASTING AND PRAYER WITH AN EXPECTANT HEART
***·DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE SPIRITUAL OPPOSITION. SATAN SOMETIMES INTENSIFIES THE NATURAL BATTLE BETWEEN BODY AND SPIRIT
PHYSICAL PREPARATION MAKES THE DRASTIC CHANGE IN YOUR ROUTINE A LITTLE EASIER SO THAT YOU CAN TURN YOUR FULL ATTENTION TO THE LORD IN PRAYER
*** DO NOT RUSH INTO YOUR FAST
***·PREPARE YOUR BODY. EAT SMALLER MEALS BEFORE STARTING A FAST. AVOID HIGH FAT AND SUGARY FOODS.
***·EAT RAW FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FOR TWO DAYS BEFORE STARTING A FAST
***·REST AS MUCH AS YOUR SCHEDULE WILL PERMIT
***·PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TEMPORARY MENTAL DISCOMFORTS, SUCH AS IMPATIENCE, CRANKINESS AND ANXIETY.
***·YOU MAY EXPIERENCE SOME PHYSICAL DISCOMFORTS INTIALLY LIKE FLEETING HUNGER PAINS, DIZZINESS OR THE “BLAHS.” WITHDRAWAL FROM CAFFEINE AND SUGAR MAY CAUSE HEADACHES. PHYSICAL ANNOYANCES MAY INCLUDE WEAKNESS, TIREDNESS OR SLEEPLESSNESS.
FOR MAXIMUM SPIRITUAL BENEFIT, SET ASIDE AMPLE TIME TO BE ALONE WITH THE LORD
MORNING
***· BEGIN YOUR DAY IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP
***· READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
***· INVITE GOD TO USE YOU
***· PRAY FOR HIS VISION FOR YOUR LIFE AND EMPOWERMENT TO DO HIS WILL
NOON
***·TAKE A SHORT PRAYER WALK
***·SPEND TIME IN INTERCESSORY PRAYER
***·READ THE WORD
EVENING
***·GET ALONE FOR “UNHURRIED TIME” OR SEEKING HIS FACE
***·MEET TOGETHER FOR PRAYER WITH SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS FASTING
***·AVOID DISTRACTIONS THAT MAY DAMPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL FOCUS(LIKE TELEVISION)
***·BREAK AN EXTENDED WATER FAST WITH FRUIT SUCH AS WATERMELON
***·ADD FRUIT JUICES, RAW SALAD, STEAMED VEGETABLES
***·GRADUALLY RETURN TO REGULAR EATING WITH SEVERAL SMALL SNACKS DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS. START WITH SOUP AND FRESH FRUIT.
***·IF YOU HUMBLE YOURSELF, REPENT, PRAY AND SEEK GOD’S FACE AND CONSISTENLY MEDIATE ON HIS WORD, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF HIS PRESENCE AND FRESH NEW SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS.
