1.04.2009

fasting

I'm so bummed. Jaden is sick, so I'm missing the first service of the new year :( Our church is doing a 21 day fast on Thursday and going to the 28th of this month.
Beginning January 4, Pastor Lee will begin a new series entitled First: Positioning Yourself to Experience God’s Favor. This powerful teaching is something that Pastor Lee has felt impressed by the Lord to teach the church, and also to call the church into a new level of devotion and blessing. In our world, many people are experiencing economic crisis and questions about what tomorrow holds. In the midst of darkness though, God calls his people to arise and walk in the power of his favor and shine bright. As part of this new year, we will be calling Radiant Church to seek God together in a way we have never done before!

There are 3 parts: The fast which will be my first! Wednesday nights of prayer and worship which I won't be able to attend bc of work. And, then the final night of celebration to end the fast which I will probably try to get off work for.
There are four types of fasts:
water fast
This type of fast is abstaining from food and
only drinking water for a period of time. Drink
plenty of non-tap water, drinking at least
half of your body weight in ounces of water
per day (example: 150lbs=75oz./day).
Distilled water is most beneficial, but filtered
and purified water also works well. A
water-only fast is, by far, the most difficult
fast due to the detoxification process that
the body goes through and the lack of
energy that is experienced as a result of not
eating. Many people who are experienced
in fasting have fasted this way for 40 days or
more. Long-term water fasts are possible,
but definitely not comfortable. You may
choose to do a short-term water fast
sometime during the 21 days.

juice fast
In this fast, abstain from food and only drink
water and 100% juice for a period of time.
Drink mildly or non-acidic fruit juices such as
apple, grape, peach or pineapple, which
are excellent sources of necessary natural
sugar to stabilize blood sugar and keep
energy levels up. Raw vegetable juices
such as carrot, celery, beet or green
vegetable combinations are excellent as
well (not V8 – 100% vegetable juices only,
without added sugars, salt or preservatives).
You can do normal daily activities on a
juice fast.
For more detailed information on water
and juice fasting, visit freedomyou.com.

daniel fast
(Daniel 10:2-3) This is a partial fast that
provides many of the attributes of denying
self and seeking God, but with less discomfort
than a juice or water fast. Here are
some guidelines for a good Daniel Fast:
Foods included in a Daniel Fast: fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds,
legumes, 100% juice, natural oils, water.
Foods not included in a Daniel Fast: meat,
dairy, all natural and artificial sweeteners, all
leavened breads, refined and processed
foods, fried foods, solid fats, coffee, tea,
alcohol, carbonated beverages.
For more detailed information on Daniel
fasting, visit danielfast.wordpress.com.

comfort fast
Our lives are filled with endless amounts of
comforts and conveniences. Here are
some ideas of the things you might fast on
a comfort fast:
TV/movies, caffeine, video games, newspapers,
scrapbooking, sugary foods, online
social networks (facebook, myspace,
twitter, etc.), magazines, shopping, etc.
Take twenty-one days away from distractions
and time-consuming activities, and
use that time to draw near to God.

I'm going to try either the juice fast or the daniel fast. I've done a comfort fast, but I don't really count that as a fast. I really want to do something that will force me to really rely on God for strength. Pray for me starting Thursday that God will give me the strength to follow through and that God will lead me in where my life needs to be this new year!

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