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Fasting & Prayer

Join BRCC for 1 week of fasting & prayer starting 

Sunday, January 28, 2024 - February 4, 2024!

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What is fasting? A biblical fast can be defined as simply abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It was encouraged and expected by Jesus that believers would fast (Matt. 6:17-18, Matt. 9:15). Many people abstain from food, television, and other forms of entertainment during this time and spend that time drawing closer to God instead. What makes this time of fasting effective is by using the time to pray, read the Bible and worship God. Simply said – if fasting is not joined with prayer and Bible reading it is simply just a diet.

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING FOR YOUR FAST:

 

STEP 1: Set Your Objective:  

1) Why are you fasting?

2) Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His objectives for your prayer fast. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

 

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment:  

1) Pray about the kind of fast, you should undertake.

2) How long and the type of fast God wants you to do (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often).

3) How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word.

 

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually:  The very foundation of fasting and prayer is confession and repentance.  Here are ways you can prepare your heart:

1) Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).  Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3, 4).  

2) Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in one John 5:14, 15.  

3). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master (Romans 12:1, 2).  

4). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).  

5). Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).  

6). Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16, 17).

 

STEP 4: Prepare yourself physically.

1) Fasting requires reasonable precautions.  

2) Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic health condition.

 

STEP 5: Put yourself on a schedule.

1) For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

 

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually. Begin eating gradually.

 

STEP 7: Expect results. If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthen. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.

 

SUGGESTED PRAYER POINTS:

Deeper level of intimacy with the father;  Unity in Families and the Body of Christ;  Strategy for reaching our community;  All the needs of BRCC (kitchen repairs, maintenance throughout, etc.);  Missions in Liberia/ Building of mission houses;   World Peace (Israel, Ukraine, Russia, etc.)/ Leaders in our City, State, Country, World;  Our Children (bullying, social media influences, suicide, etc.);  Violence throughout our Nation;  Salvation for the lost

 

Source: https://newbeginning-church.com/educational/21-days-prayer-fasting-guide-to-fasting-by-dr-bill-bright/

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