RENEW – RECONNECT – RECOMMIT

Why We Fast and Pray?

Sometimes people fast when they face difficult life decisions. At other times, a whole church may come together to fast. As we enter a time of fasting and prayer, it is important to understand that we do not fast with the selfish motive. On the contrary, we fast to draw close to God to renew, reconnect, and recommit ourselves to serve God and people.

Types of Fasts

The Daniel Fast: Eat no meat, no sweets, and no bread. Drink water and juice.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
3-Day Fast: This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.
Partial Fast: A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown. (With a Partial Fast you can select from several types of fasting — Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.)
Full Fast: Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).

Scriptures on Fasting

Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:16-17 NKJV)

So He said unto them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29 NKJV)

Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders [and] all the inhabitants of the land [into] the house of the Lord your God, [and] cry out to the Lord. (Joel 1:14 NKJV)

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6 NKJV)

So that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father, who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:18 NKJV)

Pastor's Comments: Remember, fasting at its core is a relationship between you and God.
Therefore, when you fast with the right motives God will honor whatever sacrifice you make.