For 21 days Praise Center Church will be doing a community fast for all who wish to participate. We hope that our website and the information we have compiled, will be a resource to you during your fast.
There are different types of fasts mentioned in the bible but we will be doing the Daniel fast as outlined In Daniel chapter 1: and 10, Daniel gives a description of his fast. “I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:3).
The purpose of this fast is to loosen the ties which bind us to the world or material things, in order that we might earnestly seek the Lord and concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things. It is a time to diligently pray and seek God, His presence, power and direction. We cannot look to the flesh to find the strategy for the battle plan we need to live in victory. (2 Cor. 10:4)
Fasting means to abstain from food for a spiritual purpose. The believer sets food aside in order to concentrate on seeking God. Biblical fasting is more than just abstaining from food; it means to abstain from food for the purpose of concentrating upon God and seeking His will. Biblical fasting always involves prayer.
In Mathew 6 Jesus is teaching us the basic principle of prayer and then moves right into the subject of fasting and the right motives and the wrong motives of fasting. A study of the fasting practiced by Jesus and by great leaders of the bible reveals what God means by fasting.
Why are believers to fast? Note the words “when you fast” (V.16, 17) Jesus assumes and expects that believers will fast. He fasted and he taught fasting. (Mt. 4:2 and the early believers fasted (Mt. 17:21; Luke 2:37; Acts 10:30; 13:3; 14:23 1Cor. 6:5; 11:27) yet so few have continued such intense seeking of the Lord. We must follow the example that Jesus set for us.
Many believers are realizing the health and spiritual benefits of fasting. There are excellent benefits to fasting, and God wants His people to reap these benefits.
If you are participating in The Daniel’s Fast, you can join sister Francine on Tuesday evenings for prayer, recipe ideas and encouragement at Praise Center Church from 6:00PM -7:00PM in the main sanctuary or click on the links below for more information.