Preparation for Power 3

A Step Forward
As different members of our church have been discussing fasting and the results that are coming from it, there has been two suggestions that have been offered to begin the discipline of fasting in our church. For some that already take part in fasting as a regular part of their spiritual practices, it will not be new.

Together we can see great things happen.

To Begin Fasting
For this next week our Wednesday Night Group is looking at how they might take up this challenge to fast. They will be setting aside a time when they will take up fasting. They are looking at the following possibilities for their lives;

• fasting of meals and food
• partial fast of some foods
• fasting from media of different kinds - this may involve just one TV program, or one evening's worth of television viewing, or even cutting off all forms of media for a period of time.

Setting aside a time period
A group of people are looking to "fast" on the weekends at one point or another - in preparation for the Sunday services. If this cannot be done on a weekend or close to the weekend then we are asking that you set aside one period of time in the week with the idea this would be for the Sunday services.

Adding two important ministries
Along with fasting comes prayer. In reality it is the only way that fasting is effective as a personal and corporate discipline. Prayer must be linked to fasting. During your chosen fasting time - please pray with us that God will use Northview and its various ministries related to it to draw many people to Christ.

The following is taken from... http://www.christianadhd.com/fasting.php

FASTING OBSTACLES
Make a list of reasons why you have had difficulty fasting in the past or failed to fast at all:

FACTORS THAT CAN KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM FASTING

• Ignorance - don't know the facts about fasting
• Selfishness - allow temporal desires to cause us to esteem food higher than doing God's will
• Indifference - don't see the need to fast in our own life or the lives of those around us
• Lack of self-control - one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. We need to deny ourselves and follow Christ (Mark 8:34-35).
• Wrong priorities - placing the good and pleasant above the spiritual (God's desires)
• False concept of Christianity - involves not being aware of what it really means to be a disciple (disciplined follower) of Jesus. Paul gives us an example in 2 Corinthians 11:27:"In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness..."

TYPES OF FASTS

COMPLETE FAST:
A normal fast is no food, but beverages are allowed (caffeine is to be avoided). Unless supernaturally sustained, you should not do a complete fast for more than 3 days and nights.
Before starting a longer fast (3 days or more):

• Divine direction - don't copy others; be sure you are led of the Lord as to what type of fast and how long.
• No caffeine - discontinue a few days BEFORE the fast
• Eat less the day before a fast to help your body adjust eat fruit as a last meal before the fast
• Temptations - know that the evil one will try to discourage and distract you during your fast. Be sure to trust God, not your feelings during this time.
  

During the fast:

• Dress warmly - you can expect to feel colder during a fast, especially in your hands and feet
• Use warm, not hot, water for showers and baths
• Avoid ice cold beverages
• Exercise regularly, but moderately - if you experience weakness, discontinue
• Fast in secret - don't tell others you are fasting; it is between you and the Lord. You can talk about the benefits or reasons why you fast, but do not give details about a particular fast.

After the fast:

• avoid starches for a few days
• chew your food well
• stop eating when you feel full
• don't become physically active too soon
• eat healthy food
  

Here is a suggested schedule for reintroducing food after a complete fast:

• DAY 1: liquids every couple of hours in small amounts; fruit juices are great
• DAY 2: eat small quantities of fruit, milk and yogurt in small quantities
• DAYS 2 and 3: (the longer you fast, the more time you should allow before introducing these foods)
• In small quantities: salads, homemade vegetable soup without grease, cooked vegetables
• After a few days: cheese, nuts, eggs
• Lastly: fish and meats
  

DO NOT UNDERTAKE A COMPLETE FAST IF YOU ARE:

• a diabetic
• malnourished
• pregnant or nursing

PARTIAL FAST:
A partial fast eliminates certain foods, drinks or non-food pleasures. The Lord may lead you to do a partial fast eating and/or drinking certain foods and avoiding others. For example:

• drinking fruit juices
• eating bland foods (foods which are nutritional and yet are not especially pleasant to the taste)
• eliminating meats
• eliminating sweets
• eating only fruit, nuts and vegetables
• abstaining from non-food items like a favorite TV show, or eliminating TV altogether