ALL CHURCH FAST GUIDELINES. January (21 Days)

Transcription

1 2008 ALL CHURCH FAST GUIDELINES January (21 Days)

2 Guidelines for Observing the Daniel Fast This Daniel Fast is designed to lead to spiritual insight. (Daniel 1:17) As for these four boys, God gave them knowledge and skill. This Daniel Fast is a partial fast. Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and drank only water. (Daniel 1:12). This application of a Daniel Fast requires abstinence from party or junk foods. If you feel that it would be more productive for you spiritually or physically to avoid certain foods and spices, that would be great. If you feel led by the Lord to eat only vegetables and drink only water, then do so. Make every effort to stick to your commitment for the length of time designated for this fast. Daniel didn t do his fast for a limited amount of time. It was his lifestyle. Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king s food or dinking his wine, so he asked to be exempted from the royal diet.

3 Daniel Fast Foods to Eat Daniel seemed to eat only things planted for harvest and drank only water. When in doubt stick to the guidelines as follows: 1.) You may eat three meals a day (morning, noon and evening). 2.) Whole grains: brown rice, oats, rolled oats, oatmeal (with raisins), barley, corn, popcorn, wheat bread (Brownberry is a suggested type). 3.) Whole grain pasta only (not made with white flour.) 4.) Legumes: dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, green beans, green peas, peanuts, etc.. Grain legumes include beans, lentils, lupins, peas and peanuts. Do not prepare with pork or any meat products. 5.) Fruits: apples apricots avocados, bananas, (high in sugar), berries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, breadfruit, cantaloupe, cherries, coconuts, cranberries, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, grenadine, guava, honeydew melons, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, mulberry, nectarines, oats, olives, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon, etc.

4 Daniel Fast - Foods to Eat (continued) 5.) Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, gingerroot, green salads, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard, collard and turnip greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, etc. 6.) Seeds: all nuts, natural peanut butter, natural almond butter, sprouts, ground flax, etc. 7.) Dairy: cheese, milk, butter (not margarine) 8.) Liquids: spring water, distilled water, filtered water, 100% all natural fruit or vegetable juices. (If the bottle says fruit juice drink or cocktail) it contains sugar). It should say 100% juice. 9.) Olive oil, vinegar 10.) Any seasonings including cinnamon, nutmeg; etc. Please remember, no sweets, no meats.

5 Daniel Fast - Foods to Avoid Basically you want to avoid the king s food. You shouldn t have the king s burgers or fries; however, many fast food places now have good salads or soups. Avoid sauces and sweet dressings. 1. Meat, 2. White flour and all products using it. 3. White rice, white bread, hominy and pasta. 4. Fried foods. 5. Caffeine 6. Carbonated beverages, including diet 7. sodas. 8. Wine or any other alcoholic drinks. 9. Foods containing preservatives or additives. 10. Refined sugar 11. Chemical sugar substitutes; (i.e., Equal, Splenda, Sweet-n-Low) 12. Margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products.

6 Helpful Hints Things you can avoid to make your fast more effective: 1. Foolish entertainment (example, certain sitcoms and T.V. shows; certain magazines. 2. Fighting, arguing and gossiping (Isa. 58). Things you can add to make your fast more effective: 1. Increase the volume of Word intake. 2. Increase your prayer time; i.e., in intercessory prayer for others, praying for the vision of the ministry and your own personal vision, praying for direction, wisdom and knowledge. MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT!!! Pray about this fast. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matt. 6:16-18; 9:14, 15). Pray to perceive sin s role in poor health. Fast as a statement of faith to others. Learn the effects of the food you eat. Yield all results to God.

7 Prepare Yourself Physically Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision. Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before beginning. Avoid high fat and sugary foods. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. While You Fast 1. Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs or homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician s supervision. 2. Limit you re activity as much as possible. 3. Exercise only moderately. 4. Rest as much as your schedule will permit. 5. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Your body will be experiencing some detoxification.

8 While You Fast (Cont.) 5. Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the blahs. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness. 6. The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake. Put Yourself on a Schedule Morning 1.) Begin your day in praise and worship. 2.) Read and meditate on God s Word. 3.) Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13. Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond. Pray for His vision for your life and empower-ment to do His will.

9 Noon 1. Return to prayer and God s Word. 2. Take a short prayer walk, if possible. 3. Pray for your community s and nation s leaders, for the world s unreached millions, for your family or special needs. Evening 1. Get alone for an unhurried time of seeking His face. 2. Attend corporate prayer meeting. 3. Avoid television or other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus. Breaking Your Fast How you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well being. Begin eating gradually. Do not try to add other foods immediately. Suddenly reintroducing heavy food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Adding sugar may cause you to experience a headache, so return to use (if you must) in small portions.

10 Additional tips* Day 3: Getting Past Your Quitting Point Remember: 1. Drink lots of water 2. Chew on some sugar free breath mints or gum. 3. Pray for encouragement 4. Avoid smells and other temptations 5. This will be the toughest day of the Fast. Physical effects 1. Tongue is coated over fully 2. Hunger pangs increase 3. Cravings are intense at times 4. Ketosis (one of the products of fat burning in the body) is in full process 5. Noticeable weight loss begins 6. Headaches might still be apparent. Day 8: Walk With God and remember: 1. Water needs to be with you at all times. 2. Rest and relax as much as possible 3. Remember your prayer time and prayer place. 4. Write your thoughts in a prayer journal. 5. Continue to meditate and listen. 6. Sugar free mints to keep breath fresh.

11 Day 21 Your Final Day Remember: 1. Find someone and share your spiritual or positive experience with them 2. Replenish yourself with liquids, and prepare to ease back into solid food (meats, etc.). Take your time. 3. Go to your prayer place and praise God 4. Be thankful and rejoice 5. Write your feelings in your prayer journal Physical Effects: 1. You may continue to lose weight 2. You become exhilarated as you cross the finish line 3. Bad breath will begin to dissipate upon completion of the fast 4. Cravings will be strong the first few days after the fast so be careful to ease back into hard foods over the next few days to a week. On this final day ask the Lord to reveal to you if there is any un-forgiveness, bitterness or other hindrances that you have yet to lay fully before your Lord. Prepare for blessing, harvest and an anointing like you have never experienced before. Get ready because the rest of this year will not be like any other before it.

12 God Bless You On This Journey! Remember there is a price for deliverance. Questions and suggestions: 1. What are some of the flies (problems) that are tormenting you? 2. What other methods have you used to try to eliminate these problems? 3. Ask God to show you activities in your life that should be laid aside during this time of seeking Him? 4. Target your prayers 5. Feed on the Word 6. Every assignment has a birthplace 7. Fasting truly humbles you 8. The Holy Spirit is using your fast 9. Hold on to the Promise 10. Magnify your worship 11. Renewal 12. Nothing is impossible with God 13. God is your rock 14. His will, not yours 15. You will be rewarded openly