A COUPLE OF THINGS…

• Fasting is not merely about going without food; it is accompanied by a purposeful intention.
• Christians fast to seek God’s guidance, to repent and seek forgiveness, to intercede for others, to overcome spiritual strongholds, or to express devotion and worship.
• Having a clear purpose when fasting helps us remain focused and committed during the fasting period.

The goal is to be drawn closer to God, seeking His guidance, and experiencing spiritual breakthroughs. Fasting strengthens faith, fosters intimacy with God, and aligns us with God’s heart.

Jesus encouraged fasting as a spiritual discipline and indicated that it should be done with sincerity and humility, without seeking attention or praise from others. He emphasized the importance of fasting as a personal, intimate act of devotion to God rather than a public display of piety. (Matthew 6:16-18)

This is how we can FAST.

HOW TO BEGIN

As we walk with Jesus for 21 days, you will be given different topics and scriptures each day, as well as an example of what to fast for. Carving out a specific time to spend with God and having a physical list in front of you to pray over while fasting will motivate you to keep going when it seems impossible. Pray for what you are believing for personally, as well as the things we are believing for together as community of faith.

PREPARING SPIRITUALLY

Be honest with God. Let Him know where you need help. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Invite Him to challenge and change you over the course of your fast. Watch as He expands your vision and strengthens your faith.

DECIDING WHAT TO FAST

Fasting is about giving something up for a time in order to seek God in a deeper way. It’s not about losing weight; it’s about gaining vision. The type of fast you choose is up to you. You may choose to follow the rotating fast that will be suggested each day, or follow biblical examples and give up food. Many people apply the same principle to other areas of life like TV or social media. No matter what you choose, we believe that as you remove distractions you will hear from God in a clearer way. Before making any drastic dietary changes, please consult with your healthcare professional.

DECIDING HOW LONG

Fasting is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity to go deeper in our walk with God. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. You may choose to fast one thing for the first week and something entirely different the next but we’ll have prompts of what to fast for in our 21 days with Jesus. The choice is yours, we just want to commit to fasting SOMETHING during 21 days as we walk in a special way with Jesus. When closing the fast, you say a prayer giving thanks to God for the time you’ve had with Him in a special way and so you close the fast that way.

WHAT TO EXPECT

When you fast from food, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars.
And naturally, you will have hunger pains. If possible, limit your activity and exercise. Take time to rest. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. When fasting, spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the time of fasting. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God.

Welcome to 21 days with Jesus: during this time we’ll be FASTING.