About This Fast
To download a printable version of the e-booklet on fasting, click here
I would like to thank you for your interest in our 21 days of prayer and fasting for 2010. In February, I felt God command a period of prayer and fasting for the individual warfare that I was facing. After discussing the concept with my wife, and Pastor Darron, they chose to join me in this endevour as the Lord was leading them as well. In further discussion with the rest of the pastoral team, it was suggested that we include an invitation to the rest of the church. The more I prayed about the fast and the strategy, I felt that God has given me a specific battle strategy. As a result, I felt to write this booklet. It has a two fold purpose, first to disciple on fasting and its power in the church. Secondly, to outline the battle strategy that God has given to me.
I would like to acknowledge the support of Byron Drent who has partnered with me in the research for this booklet. Additionally I would like to recommend the book “Intercessory Prayer” by Dutch Sheets, “Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin.
I would also like to acknowledge the support of those who have already committed to this amazing opportunity.
Our Church Values
Let me start by first re-affirming the values that is our church. This church is bound together by more than just nice ideas, but by core values that cement us into the cause of Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 -“I am the church”
This church believes in every person connecting in to a unified vision. This is not a job for professionals or paid employees, but a combined effort of people working in together. We are a personal church.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 -“We are on a mission”
Everything we do in our church is evangelistic. No matter what area we serve in, it moves people to want to know who Jesus is. Whether its handing out food, cleaning the toilets, bringing friends and strangers to church, life groups, worship team – these things are a vital part of sharing the Gospel message. We are an evangelistic church. We are unified, not uniform. We are not robots all doing the same thing. Rather, we are connected to achieve a singular purpose – like limbs or organs of a body.
John 10:10 - “I am living life to the full”
We believe that people in helping people, not controlling people. We believe that our leaders role is to develop an environment for people to grow. We are shepherds, not surrogate sheep. We are an equipping church. John 10:10 tells us that every Christian should be living an abundant life. If the job description of Jesus was to do this then its is also the job description of His Church.
Matthew 28:18 - “I am an impact on the world around me”
Jesus tells us that the church is commissioned to reach all, no matter their gender, cultural, social or geographical differences. We are a church that is reaching out to this generation and the next as well. This is not just a youth church or a social care church – the gospel must be contemporary and relevant across every age and social group. We are a generational family church.
Our reasoning in church strategy is immersed in these values. They are our strength as a community of believers. Without them we will have no strength and in the first moment the wind blows we will be back to square one. Our cultural values are so important to our church they need to become a part of who we are. If every time we make a decision or start something in our church; if every time we come to church, these things are on our mind and in our heart to do.
The Invitation – A Call To War!
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…”
Paul the Apostle, Letter to the Ephesians
I would like to offer an invitation to join me in a strategic focus of prayer. God has called us to be a church of much greater influence and to build his kingdom (see Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18). We are yet to see any relief or blessing in finances, and the miraculous is not common in our service to this community. In March 2010, I believe God spoke to me about these issues,
…He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
Gospel of Mark
I believe that God called me to a period of prayer and fasting to see breakthrough. Like the Jericho battle, this strategy is prophetic rather than systematic. If you choose to accept this invitation, I encourage you to commit fully to the strategy and the focus so that we may stand together.
Prayer - stay the course
During this time prayer is the sharp edge of the sword we wield. Without prayer, this is simply a ritualistic process that has no spiritual significance. The “40 hour famine” started as a weekend of prayer for the salvation of poverty nations, today its nothing more than a badge of pride for many who simple bear its burden. It does not engage heaven for the solution. Fasting is more than just giving up food, it’s a period of committed prayer.
If you choose to join in this fast, be strategic. Consecrate the time and level you will be committing to God through prayer. In the third section of this booklet I have discussed the ‘levels’ of fasting that you can be involved in. Personally, I cannot fast only on water and juice as directed by my doctor (you may wish to check with your doctor about this level of commitment as well). My plan has a very specific process that I am going to commit to. Let me show you as an example of what plan you can use:
• Two days before – complete media fast
• 1 hour prayer at the church at 6am
• Prayer for ½ an hour at 12.30pm and 6pm
• Days 1,8,11,16 & 19 – complete fast breakfast and dinner
• All other days – Daniel fast
• Finances I would normally spend on fasted items (eg. media and meat budget) to be given to God as an offering.
The Gospel of Peace
The second edge to ourfasting is that we would continue to declare the gospel. Fasting is not a reason to hold back on the lifestyle that Christians are empowered to live. A daily engagement of our faith is essential for life. Obedience to God’s prompting is VITAL during this time. I will be looking for opportunity to declare how great God is. This is more than just preaching, but being open to the Holy Spirit and obedient to His requests. Look and act upon opportunities for words of knowledge, gifts of healings, acts of faith, signs and wonders. It is equally imperative that we look to continue in our acts of good service. Without this expression of worship our fasting becomes detestable to God (see Isaiah 1:10-17 & Matthew 6:16-18). As I fast I continue to look to God to be obedient to His requests.
9 Bible Reasons to Fast
“…when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand, stand firm…”
Paul the Apostle, Letter to the Ephesians
Much of the reason for fasting is similar to prayer, just intensified. There is something about the personal sacrifice that magnifies the results of prayer and fasting. The following is 9 biblical reasons for fasting.
1. Honour & Worship
The Bible tells us that when we fast we create an atmosphere of honour and worship. Our primary purpose for fasting is to magnify God in our lives – honouring His Lordship over us. We put aside distractions so that we may honour & worship. The appointment of the priests in Leviticus is a process of religious service (including fasting) that honours God
Ref: 2 Chronicles 7:14
2. Sanctification & Consecration
Additionally we fast because it is a process of consecration. In Luke 4, Jesus takes 40 days to fast and pray as an act of consecration before he starts his ministry. Fasting aligns us with the mindset of God and prepares us for His plans and purposes.
Ref: James 4:10, Luke 4
3. Spiritual Plough
Before you can plant a field, it must be ploughed. To plough a field is to create room to receive the seed of the Holy Spirit. When we fast its like putting our spiritual field with the rows to receive from God. To plough is to remove rocks and hard places where that seed would normally die. Jesus tells us that the word of God is being spread out like seed and God is looking for places where it would bring about a great harvest.
Ref: Ezra 8:21-23; Mark 4:1-9
4. Repentance & Obedience
There are so many things that we do that is the fruit of our sin. Fasting is a tool of corporate and personal repentance towards repentance. When a community or nation is caught in the grip of sin, only in the warfare of fasting is a there a freedom.
Ref: Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-10; Daniel 9:3-5; Matthew 6:5-7,16-17
5. Deepening Wells
When we fast we allow God to change us. Its like digging a well that deepens God’s power in our life.
Ref: Psalm 109:24-29
6. Align with the Anointing
Anointing is a significant spiritual mark. In the Old Testament it was fragrant oil that determined the priests ministry. God’s anointing marks us, in fasting we align ourselves with that determined mark over our lives.
Ref: Acts 13:3-4
7. The Need is Great
In times when things seemed darkest, God’s people fasted. In front of death, bondage, or even national disaster fasting ‘caught God’s attention’ to change the circumstance and meet the great need.
Ref: Esther 4:15-16; Joel 12:15; 2 Chronicles 20
8. For Divine Revelation
We need kingdom answers for the problems we face. Fasting increases the spiritual senses.
Ref: Jeremiah 36:6; John 14:12-13
9. Spiritual Warfare
In Mark 9:14–29, the disciples bring a demon-possessed boy who they can’t set free. When Jesus sets him free, the disciples ask about the reason why they couldn’t do it.
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
When we fast and pray we engage in spiritual warfare. Breakthrough requires effort on our behalf.
Ref: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Levels of Fasting
“How do I fast?
Before beginning a fast, write down a plan and make a verbal commitment to the Lord.
When you approach it with determination, you’ll be less likely to waiver in weak moments. You
Answers from God’s Word on the rewarding spiritual tool of fasting may be surprised to find that fasting is not as daunting as you may think. But if you do find it to be a battle, don’t lose heart, God knows your weaknesses. His fasting principles allow you the flexibility to take care of your job and duties while still making a sacrifice to honor Him.
If the traditional full fast has always made you shy away from this important principle, you may be surprised to know that there are actually many different types of fasts. Find the fast or combination of fasts that fits your needs.
For example, if you choose to go on a 21-day fast, you may want to begin with a full fast for 1-3 days and then continue with a Daniel Fast or some other type of partial fast for the remainder of the 21 days. No matter which fast you decide on, you must always remember to consult your doctor and drink lots of water.”
- Jentzen Franklin
Pray 3 times a day
The first thing that everyone can join in on is joint prayer. For those that would like to engage in this level of prayer we will be praying at 6am at the church every morning. Everyone is encouraged to pray at midday and at 6pm.
No Media
The next level of this strategy is that there is a media fast – no television, movies, radio or books except the word of God and worship
A Daniel Fast - No Meat or Sweets
It is recommended that people consider consulting a doctor before engaging on a fast and if they choose to engage on this or the next level, some monitoring should be followed. Pregnant women should not engage in this level at all. People who are on any medication should seek medical advice before engaging at this level.
This level of fasting requires the participant to live plainly for the time period. The idea is to eat very small amounts of steamed vegetables and fresh fruit. During this fast the participant also ceases any caffeinated, alcoholic, or sweetened drinks. Green Tea and water is acceptable.
Only Juice and Water
This level of fasting is the most intense. As with the Daniel fast, please consult a doctor before engaging at this level.
In this fast the participant does not take any foods, but drinks plenty of water and supplements their intake with portions of juice only. This level of fasting should be monitored by a physician and is not recommended for people with health problems.
Our Strategy
“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
King David
History tells us that each battle is unique. Our strategy for this period of prayer is just as unique. Attached to this booklet is a daily devotion for each day to shape our prayers.
6th – 12th
Honour & Worship
13th – 15th
Repentance
16th – 20th
Wisdom & Grace
21st – 23rd
Revival
24th – 26th
Resource – People & Finances
In the strategy for 2010, the days are significant.
The date is leading up to the end of the traditional “financial year”. Figuratively speaking we are personally about to harvest and plough a new field of finances for the 2010-2011 period. In the past few years this ‘crop’ has been stolen from us. Like God’s people in the Old Testament, our crop seems to be taken from us at the time of harvest – either by the bandits of bills, or the invading army of a global financial crisis. As I prepared for this time of fasting, I believe that God is calling us to rise up and overcome this enemy in His house. We are going to commit the first fruits of our year and before we begin we will seek his strategy for this new year of finances.
I will spend days focused on different areas as God has given to me. In the following section, I have included a Bible reading to pray through each day.
Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
King David
You will notice that the strategy does not include the full 21 days of intercession of church finances; in fact it is a small portion of our focus. Like raindrops on a windscreen we can focus in on the problems and lose the ‘big picture’ vision. The reality is that God is more than able, faithful and available to lead us into the blessings of financial breakthrough. Therefore, the scope of our prayers keeps the prayer in this big picture.
If you have any further questions about this strategy I would love to discuss it with you further. But before this booklet becomes too big, let me finish there and show the strategic plan of prayer....
6th – 12th Honour & Worship
6th - Psalm 100
7th - Proverbs 3:7-10
8th - Psalm 29
9th - 1 Chronicles 16:8-36
10th - Exodus 23:25-26
11th - 1 Kings 17:38-40
12th - 2 Samuel 22
Prayer points
How great is our God
He is honorable and worthy of our praise
Declare his majesty, faithfulness, grace, mercy, love and holiness.
13th – 15th Repentance
13th – Psalm 28
14th – Daniel 9:1-17
15th – Psalm 51
Prayer points
Forgive us of our lack of faith
Give us strength to step into our destiny
Soften our hearts to hear you
Draw us closer together – let your love bind us together
Forgive us if we have held offence against others and release us from this bondage
16th – 20th Wisdom & Grace
16th – 1 Kings 3:6-7
17th - Exodus 33:13
18th - Psalm 86:3-11
19th – Daniel 2:20-23
20th – Zechariah 12:10
Prayer points
Grant us the wisdom to be an influence on earth
Show us the life of grace that we may live like Jesus
May I be part of the solution, not part of the problem
21st – 23rd Revival
21st – Acts 4:24-31
22nd – Psalm 2
23rd – Matthew 3:11
Prayer points
Send you fire God
I choose to be obedient to your prompting
I bring the people of Townsville to your attention
24th – 26th Resource – People & Finances
24th – Isaiah 44:1-4
25th – Malachi 3:10
26th – Mathew 9:35-38
Prayer points
Send us the right people for the right job
Teach us to be faithful with our commitments
Release your blessing that it may glorify you