“Is This Not The Fast I Have Chosen?” 

Pastor Dixon’s Word of Encouragement Concerning This

Daniel Fasting Time

Spiritual Alignment:  Seasoning Salt of Gods Flavor 

So many things vie for our attention each day.  Our minds and hearts are continuously engaged in personal matters, spiritual warfare, professionalaspirations,   family needs, financial limitations, environmental issues, etc. Oftentimes when we feel overwhelmed, we choose things that help us to detachfrom the  pressures of reality so as to offer our souls a small break. There is nothing wrong with a much needed reprieve, however, it may becomeproblematic if the reprieve  preoccupies our minds in a way that drowns out the small still voice of the Holy Spirit.  Who also, by the way, desires ourundivided attention.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline  used by God to “settle” our hearts by calling us away  from  the  popular “respite  centers” of  overeating,  web‐surfing,  texting, channel-surfing, shopping, busyness, drinking excessively, socializing, etc. This call to fast is a call to disconnect from mind numbing activities in order to quiet our hearts and hear from God Almighty.  And not just hear from God, hear from God concerning your purpose, your worth and yourmission. Imagine, God Almighty is longing to say something to you that will change the course of your destiny.  Remember, God is not willing tocompete with others for our attention.  This is why Jesus constantly stated, “If you have ears…listen up!” He was actually saying, “If you really wantme to direct your affairs, act like it, listen up and do what I tell you to do.”

This year’s focus is “Alignment!” We want to get in God’s presence and hear what he has to say concerning our life and purpose in 2024.  We are fasting this January to listen for God’s heart concerning what’s God’s divine calendar for our lives in the area of  God’s purpose for ourof ommunity, congregationand our personal lives.

Where is it that you need, some new direction?  Where do you need clarity? Where do you need more strength?  Where do you need confirmation ofGod’s plan for you?  Fasting is time, tested discipline for quieting the heart and feeding the soul.  As we reduce the  “noise level” in our lives, we’ll becomeenabled  to hear the small still voice of our Heavenly Father.  Please allow God to speak to your heart during this fast concerning anything that God wants tosay to you concerning His move in your life in 2024.  

My Hopes for this fast:

•        That we’d fight desperately for quiet time alone to hear God’s silent voice.

•        That we’d listen carefully for God’s voice as though our lives depend upon it.

•        That we’d experience exponential spiritual growth in our personal and congregational lives.

Praying for you and with you, Pastor Dixon

When You Fast

Prayer and Fasting -­‐ A Definition

Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without the comfort of food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God.  Prayer and fastingoften go hand in hand, but this is not always the case. You can pray without fasting, and fast without prayer. But when these two activities arecombined and dedicated to God’s glory, they reach greater effectiveness.  Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way ofmanipulating God.  Rather, it’s time to align ourselves with God’s desires for us.  It’s a time to rely on God to become who God has called and equipped us to be.

There is no specific command for believers to spend time in prayer and fasting.   At the same time, prayer and fasting is definitely something we shouldbe doing.  Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food.  Instead, the purpose of Christian fasting should be to take our eyes off the comforts of everyday life and focus our thoughts on God. 

Fast Guidelines

This time of fasting and consecration to the Lord should be a time of sacrifice.  When you have a meal, please eat healthier foods.  Drink plenty ofwater.   Things to avoid during the designated times include:  soda, fried foods, desserts, no caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and junk food. Fasting begins at midnight Tuesday, January 2, and ends at 6:30pm on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Some individuals may have health concerns that supersede the fasting guidelines.  Please enter into fasting prayerfully and medically informed. Ask yourdoctor if you have questions regarding fasting.  We love you and want you to be healthy.  You  can  fast  in  many  other  ways besides abstaining from foodplease see options on back page.

Challenges for Each Week

·       Get some exercise. Try to enjoy nature.

·       Find time to pray with someone.

·       Pray for your family, community, church, and co‐workers.

·       Participate in 6:00 AM Morning Prayer Conference.

·       Call 1-605-562-0412 passcode: 6620604#.

Fasting Intentions

This time of fasting is meant to be a time set aside for God to deal with your heart. Ask Him for revelation during this time of consecration. Perhaps God has already been speaking to your heart. If so, ask Him for a heart to obey. 

What is your personal reason for joining in the Daniel Fast?

Set your intentions for this fast: 

Example: I want God to reveal to me the things that keep me from transitioning into the next dimension in Him.

1)

2)

3)

What are some things that you will do during this time of fasting that will help you to draw closer to God?

Example:  I will tithe 2 hours and 40 minutes of my day so that I can hear from God.

1)

2)

3)

What is the Daniel Fast? 

The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast: 

1.      Only fruits and vegetables

2.      Only water for a beverage

In Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any bread or food and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:

3.      No sweeteners and no breads

How to Prepare for the Daniel Fast

Quiet Time: If you don’t already have an established daily quiet time with the Lord, then this is an excellent opportunity to do so. Starting your day with God is a habit that will support your faith and growing intimacy with the Lord. During your Daniel Fast, be sure to set a daily time to come before the Lord, to study His Word and His ways.

How to Begin Spiritually:

Start with a clear personal goal in addition to our corporate goals. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.

Prepare spiritually by confession your sins to God. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25;Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).

Scripture References for Fasting:

Matthew 6:16-18), Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14.

Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30.

Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37.

 Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing. May God greatly bless you as you fast!

 What to Expect during the Fast: 

When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus' example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face. 

When you fast: 

 Expect to get to know God better:

• Fasting is waiting. 
• Lamentations 3:25-27 
• Fasting is drawing near. 
• Jeremiah 29:11-13 

As you demonstrate sincerity to God, you can expect: 

o    Expect strength in your inner character. 

• Find power to leave sinful habits. 
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 

o    Find power to stay focused in prayer. 

o    Find yourself desiring God’s presence. 

• Expect the hand of God to move to answer unselfish prayers. 

 Expect resistance from the devil. 

 Expect your prayers to go to a higher level. 

How to succeed in fasting: 

 Fast with friends. 

• Matthew 18:19 

 Fast with a purpose (not casually). 

o    Set a start date and end date. 

o    Determine you will follow through on the fast. 

Fast unselfishly. 

• Isaiah 58:1-11 

Spend time with God. 

• Fasting does not work if you do not pray. 

 Types of Fasts: 

 Full Fast 

o    Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days). 

3-Day Fast 

o    This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food. 

The Daniel Fast 

o    Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Drink water. Eat fruits and vegetables. 

Partial Fast 

• A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. 

You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.

ALL NATIONS WORSHIP CENTER