Fasting is the deliberate deprivation of food designed to deepen our devotion to and dependence on God.
Last week, in the blog post “The Power of Fasting and Prayer- part #1”, we considered many of the purposes of fasting, the benefits of fasting, and some of the wrong reasons for fasting. If you did not have an opportunity to read that article, please see the “Find Your Why with Pastor D” archives at missionchurchlex.org.
During this blog entry we will unpack the following information.
1- Types of Fasts
2- Helpful Tips for Fasting
1- Types of Fasts
The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose. Fasting hits the reset button of our souls and refocuses us from the inside out. Fasting also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.
Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. The duration of your fast can be a meal, it can be hours of a day, it can be a full day, 3 days, 7 days, there are even examples in the Bible of 40 days of fasting. The length of your fast is a matter of spiritual discernment on the part of the person undertaking the fast. There are also a few different types of fasting you can commit to.
a- Selective Fast
This type of fasting involves removing certain elements form your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume only fruits, vegetables, and water/natural juices.
b- Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6am or 3pm, or from sunup to sundown.
c- Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience with food fasting, have health issues that prevent you from food fasting, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast while focusing of prayer and devotion to God, and then carefully bringing those elements back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fasting period.
D- Complete Fast
2- Helpful Tips for Fasting
1- Focus on the Word of God and increase your prayer devotions during a fast. Fasting without prayer is nothing more than a diet… Allow the hunger pains to be church bells calling you to prayer!
2- During a fast, it is wise to keep a prayer journal and track how God answers your request.
3- Avoid eating a large meal before you begin to fast. This will make you even hungrier when you start your fast.
4- Drink lots of bottled/purified water throughout your fast
5- The beginning days of a length fast are always the most difficult. If you can push through the hunger pains, it will get easier as your body acclimates.
6- Fasting strengthens your inner will and develops discipline. You will not starve to death by fasting for moderate periods of time.
7- During your food fast also consider limiting (or better yet eliminating) other usual pleasurable practices (television, social media, hobbies, sports, etc.).
3- Topics to Pray for while Fasting
1- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would be built after God’s pattern and that God would be glorified and the name of Christ would be exalted in all things.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would grow stronger through worship, deeper through discipleship, larger through evangelism, broader through service, and warmer through fellowship.
Acts 2:41-47 Then those who [a]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [b]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [c]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[d] them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [e]to the church daily those who were being saved.
3- Pray that The Mission Church would faithfully demonstrate love and service to each other as a testimony and a witness to the watching world.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
4- Pray that the Covenant Members and attenders of The Mission Church of Lexington would Find their Why. That they would discover, develop, and deploy their spiritual gifts in servant leadership for the glory of God and for the good of others.
Romans 12:3-8 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
5- Pray for the faithful and sacrificial financial contribution of the saints through The Mission Church of Lexington for the work of the ministry. We believe that God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
6- Pray for the leaders of The Mission Church of Lexington. That we would have the wisdom, discernment, and ability necessary to be effective servant leaders. We truly want to do all things with excellence, with integrity, and with teamwork. We need the prayers, and you need the practice… so keep those prayers coming!
Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who [a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
7- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would always strive to be a Bible based, Mission Minded Church for God’s glory. Also pray that we never forget why we exist… to enlist unbelievers, to equip believers, and to empower missionaries. A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will build a great Church.
Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
8- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would love and serve our community and our country well. We long to see a great awakening and a great revival both near and far!
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I will be calling TMC to a corporate 12-hour fast on Friday August 11th from 10am to 10pm. This fast will take place during our monthly Unceasing Prayer initiative. If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity or would like to participate, please contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org.
If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:
1- Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org
2- Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org
3- Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.
4- Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex
5- Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”