Category: Resources

Part 3/3

In our previous two blogs on fasting we talked about what fasting is and why we fast. If you haven’t read them, make sure to do so.

While most of us attribute fasting to simply be about giving up food, there are far greater benefits to a fast than controlling our wills to abstain from favorite foods for a set period of time.

When we choose to sacrifice what we would prefer to eat and put our desire for food behind our desire to seek God through prayer, God honors it. This reordering of our priorities draws us closer to God and Him closer to us. We become more attuned to His voice and His direction. This is the amazing benefit of a fast and why it is necessary for Christians to do!

As noted, a popular option for fasting is the Daniel Fast, which, pertains to eating mostly fruits and veggies. See more at http://daniel-fast.com/portfolio/foodlist/. Regardless of the type of Fast, the following are some suggestions for maximizing a fasting experience.

1. Focus more on your Source than on what you’re ‘giving up’.

– While hunger pangs (for food, or anything else from which you might fast) are normal, they should never be allowed to usurp the focus. Allow them to serve as a reminder of just how much you really need the Lord in every area of life.

2. Limit distractions.

– If fasting in order to hear from God, it’s a good idea to take inventory of other things in your life that may be distracting from that same goal. Some music, TV/film and even possibly relationships could be working against the goal and vying for your attention – seek God about what might be best to hold off from until after the fast. You might be surprised by what the Holy Spirit recommends.

3. Listen

– Just as sometimes we forget to listen for the Holy Spirit during prayer, we can also forget to listen during fasting. God is almost always speaking, but it’s usually our distractions that keep us from hearing. Now that you’re focused and positioned to hear, stay attentive. Part of the Holy Spirit’s job is to tell us things we don’t know; now’s the time to listen.

Enjoy the time. God’s faithful – eagerly expect for the Holy Spirit to reveal new things, and bring greater understanding in a variety of areas. Join us each week night from January 2 – January 13 at 7pm at either the Smithfield or Fall River campuses for a time of prayer.

Part 2/3

Believers fast to re-attune our ears to God’s voice and re-align ourselves with His priorities. In the Old Testament, we read about people fasting after a death (2 Samuel 1:12), out of concern for someone (Daniel 6: 18-24) and on behalf of a nation in peril (Esther 4:13-16).

In the New Testament, we see Jesus fasting before the start of His ministry (Matthew 4: 1-11), John the Baptist’s disciples fasting (Matthew 9:14,15), and Paul fasting after his life changing experience on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:9).

The discipline of fasting provides the opportunity to saturate ourselves in increased periods of prayer, praise and Bible study, which frees us up and makes us more available for an encounter with the Lord. Contemporary Daniel Fasts mirror what’s mentioned in Scripture, and recommend only eating:

• Fruits, vegetables and legumes
• Whole grains, nuts and seeds
• Herbs and spices

For more information, check out http://daniel-fast.com/portfolio/foodlist/

Join us in this time of fasting at New Life from January 2 – January 13th. We will also come together each week night during these two weeks at 7pm at either the Smithfield or Fall River campuses for His direction for us individually and corporately as a church.

What is fasting? (1/3)

As a new year starts, so do our human tendencies of trying to give up some things and start doing others by our resolve and sheer will. At New Life, the new year instead provides the opportunity to come together and make a renewed dedication to God through prayer and fasting.

It’s a powerful time in our spiritual walks as we choose to make prayer and hearing from God the most important thing. Join us each week night for 10 days, beginning on January 2nd at 7pm at the Smithfield or Fall River campus as we begin our fast, come together for prayer and dedicate 2017 to Him.

Fasting is the practice of temporarily abstaining from something you value, and purposely filling that void with a greater focus on God and prayer, in order to seek the Lord for direction and guidance.

When fasting from food, a common biblically inspired fast is known as The Daniel Fast. The first chapter of the book of Daniel details an account of Daniel and three of his friends not wanting to defile themselves by partaking in the King’s food and wine. Instead, they limited their diet to only vegetables and water.

Daniel and friends believed that God would honor their obedience and sacrifice, and He did – they were healthier and better nourished than those who hadn’t fasted; God gave them supernatural knowledge and understanding; and the King realized that no one in the land could even compare to them.

We can come expecting God to do the same for us as we fast with an attitude of humility and sincerity, acknowledging Him as our source.