We are fasting as an opportunity to eliminate distractions, barriers, and anything that consumes our time with the Lord and center our focus on hearing what God has for us at Family Life. January 11th through the 31st, we're inviting our church body and guests to engage in any fast of their choice and pray daily with us at Family Life.
What is a Fast?
-
to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food, media, entertainment, and music, for a specific time and purpose. For Family Life, we set aside 21 Days at the beginning of every year to spend time with our heavenly father in prayer, devotion, and corporate intercession to align our hearts with his will.
Why Do We Fast?
To shift our focus completely on God instead of fulfilling our fleshly desires.
HOW DO I FAST ?
Abstain From
-Eating Foods With High Sugar and Fat
-Snacks
-Social Media Platforms YT, FB, IG, TT,
-Binge Watching TV (Sports Shows, Talk Shows, Podcast,
-Non-essential Use Of Finances ( Eating Out, Credit Card Usage, Digital Media)
-Secular Music
Engage In
-
Daily Devotion
-
Reading The Bible
-
Watching Sermons and Taking Notes
-
Spend Time With Family
-
Rest
-
Cook at Home
-
Serve at Family Life or at a Local Non-Profit
-
Listening To Worship Music
-
Give
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FASTING AND PRAYER?
Worship and Reconnect
Fasting is linked with worship, repentance, and seeking God’s guidance:
-
Joel 2:12: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
-
Fasting is a way to humble oneself before God and seek His presence.
Change of Heart
In the Old Testament, fasting was an expression of repentance:
-
Jonah 3:5-10: The people of Nineveh fasted and wore sackcloth after Jonah's warning, and God relented from bringing disaster upon them.
-
Daniel 9:3-5: Daniel fasted while confessing the sins of Israel and seeking God's mercy.
Overcome Spiritual Challenges
Fasting strengthens believers in spiritual warfare:
-
Matthew 17:21 (KJV): "This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
-
Fasting/Prayer leads to spiritual breakthroughs.
-
Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT): "... This is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help." -
Fasting leads to justice, compassion, and generosity.
-
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PRAYER AND FASTING?
Cleans Your Body
-
Fasting gives your body a break from digestion, helping it remove toxins.
Sharpens Your Mind
-
Fasting helps you focus better, and prayer reduces stress, making you feel calmer.
Strengthens Your Body
-
Fasting helps your body repair itself and boosts your immune system.
Heals Your Emotions
-
Prayer and fasting can help you let go of worry, sadness, or anger.
Connects You to God
-
Fasting and prayer bring you closer to God and help you feel more peaceful and strong.