Explanation of Fasting and Details for our Fast
Grace Bible Church 432-770-5370
Up Coming Fast
UPCOMING FAST FOR STUDENTS
I wanted to inform all of you that our student ministry has set forth a spiritual challenge for the students in HSM from 7 pm Sunday, April 16 to 8 pm Tuesday, April 17th. We have asked students to consider giving up personally determined things for a 25-hour fast so that they can more pointedly focus on prayer. We have challenged them to consider fasting from food (only drinking liquids) but have also mentioned fasting from other things like social media, video games, television, and the list goes on and on. I simply wanted to inform you so that you might discuss it with them. Also know that if you are not comfortable with your student(s) fasting from food, we completely respect your decision and will back you if you discourage them from a particular type of fast. I communicated to our students that they must honor your wishes in making a decision about their fast.
Below is information on fasting that you should look through in helping your child make the right choice when it comes to this particular fast.
WHAT IS FASTING
Fasting is a spiritual discipline found throughout the scripture where God's people give up things (most of the time food) for a period of time to focus on prayer so that they might receive clarity from God. Fasting is meant to be a way to eliminate distractions and develop a dependency on God. For example, when someone fasts from food they spend the time they would normally be preparing food and eating in prayer. Also throughout the day when their body reminds them of their hunger then they are able to remember to pray instead of eat. The same works for things like social media. If it is a person’s practice to go to social media when bored, then during a fast that "urge" to scroll through social media should prompt them to pray instead.
WHY FAST
For starters, Jesus expects us to fast (see Matthew 6:17). Fasting is mentioned 77 times in the Bible. That is two more times than baptism is mentioned. For whatever reason, God has chosen fasting as a practice used to draw near to God. It heightens our spiritual awareness, demonstrates our devotion to God, and gives us streamlined focus for prayer.
TYPES OF FASTS
- A complete fast: This is refraining from both food and liquid for a period of time for a spiritual purpose (see Esther, Ezra, and Paul’s stories for examples).
- A food fast: This is giving up food for a period of time for a spiritual purpose (see. Jesus in the wilderness).
- Partial food fast: This is giving up most foods for a period of time and only choosing to eat certain foods for a spiritual purpose (Daniel did this for 21 days in Daniel 10).
- Fast from activities: This is giving up certain things in your day-to-day life for a spiritual purpose.
WHAT TYPE OF FAST SHOULD MY STUDENT DO?
We encourage students to consider the food fast. If students are capable of fasting from food for 25 hours, then we would encourage them to try. If they are not able for sports reasons, medical reasons, or simply do not think they can manage not eating for 25 hours, then we would encourage them to try a partial food fast. For example, they might determine that at each meal they will eat a fruit and a bowl of carrots and then spend some time directly after eating in prayer. Along with either of these food fasts, we encourage students to vow not to use any form of social media or media entertainment for the 25 hours.
If neither of these food fasts can be accomplished, then we would encourage students to consider giving up any form of social media or media entertainment for the 25 hours (including video games) for purpose of focusing on prayer.
POTENTIAL SHORTCOMINGS WHEN IT COMES TO FASTING
1. Going through a Fast and NOT eating will cause some discomfort. Therefore, a Fast is not a pleasant experience if it is not used for a spiritual purpose. To simply not eat for 25 hours and to NOT pray and not focus on the Lord would be an awful experience. If students choose to fast, then they should be encouraged to take full advantage of the fast and be fully devoted to the Lord through their fast.
2. Food fasts are NOT meant to produce unhealthy eating habits. If your child struggles with any sort of temptation for anorexia, then a food fast should simply NOT be attempted. Fasting from food might be revisited at a later date when those struggles are not present.
3. Fasting is NOT spiritual manipulation. We do NOT fast to manipulate God. Our trust should NOT be in Fasting, but instead in God and the work He can do. Fasting simply helps us draw closer to the one who really has the power to transform our world.
SPECIAL PRAYER TIME & MEAL TO CLOSE OUT THE FAST
There will be a special time of prayer and a meal to close out our fast on April 17 at HSM. To be clear, students who did NOT participate in the fast are STILL welcome that evening. We will be having a prayer service and will enjoy some food at the conclusion of our prayer service. The time will still be the normal 7-8:30 pm.
CONTACT ME WITH QUESTIONS
If you have any questions regarding the fast, please feel free to contact Stephen Humphreys at 432-770-5370. Or by e-mailing him at [email protected]
Keep doing the good work of parenting. It is hard, but so rewarding. God bless you.
Fasting Guide for Students
STEP 1: Set Your Objective
Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, guidance, healing, the resolution of problems, or special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Remember that one of our goals is fasting for our mission trip to Puerto Rico this Summer.
STEP 2: Make Your Commitment
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following upfront:
- How Long will you fast- We are challenging you to fast for 25 hours this time around.
- What type of fast- drinking water only- no food, drinking liquids- no solid food, eating only vegetables and fruits, or giving up something specific for the fast.
- What physical and social activities will you restrict?
- Be sure to discuss this with your parents
STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically
Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods. Try to not drink any caffeine for a couple days before your fast.
STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.
STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually
Even though we are closing our fast by enjoying food together, we should try not to gorge ourselves. We should exercise self control as we ease back into eating.
STEP 7: Expect Results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.
SCRIPTURE:
Scriptures to read during the Fast: Daniel 10, Psalms 27, 1 Chronicles 21, and Isiah 58.
PRAYER:
MY LIFE
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MY CHURCH
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MY CITY
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MY WORLD
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PRAYER (continued):
- “Father, we desire that nothing gets in the way of Your will being done on this trip. If there’s anything within us that needs to be dealt with, please show us and we’ll give it to You to be cleared out of our hearts. Holy Spirit, we ask that You would convict us so we can repent and that You would empower us to walk in righteousness.
- Pray for the flexibility of the mission team. Sometimes our mission plans require revision and flexibility. Acts 16:6-10 records Paul’s prevention by the Holy Spirit of going into Asia and the Macedonian call. Mission teams must learn to trust God’s plan, not their own, and be spiritually discerning. Pray that this team will be flexible in their planning and discern what God wants to accomplish on the mission trip.
- Pray for the financial support of the mission team. When Jesus sent out his witnesses, he told them to trust the provision offered in the villages for their wages and sustenance (Matthew 10:9-10; Luke 10:4-8). Mission trips cost money! And we believe in a God who owns everything. Pray that God would meet the financial obligations of each team member and the mission trip.
- Pray for the spiritual wisdom and loving service of the mission team. One of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church was that they would grow in spiritual wisdom and depth of love (Ephesians 3:14-20). Mission team members need an abundance of wisdom and love, and God desires to provide it. Pray that team members will be abundantly wise and discerning as well as filled with love for those whom they will serve and share with.
- Pray that we would learn something new about God through serving in a place that is different than our home.
- Pray that God would keep us focused on Him during the trip and keep us from distractions.
- Pray that God would open up doors for us to share the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
- Pray that God would draw our group closer together throughout the week so that we can be an effective team.
OTHER PRAYERS:
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