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7 Basic Steps to Fasting and Prayer

Bill Bright
How to Begin Your Fast
How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By
following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the
ord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.
STEP 1: Set Your Objective
!hy are you fasting" #s it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the
resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation" $sk the
Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and ob%ectives for your prayer fast. &his will
enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. &hrough the fasting and
prayer we humble ourselves before 'od so the Holy Spirit will stir our soul,
awaken our churches, and heal our land according to ( )hronicles 7*+,. -ake
this a priority in your fasting.
STEP 2: Make Your Coitent
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. .esus implies that all of His
followers should fast /-atthew 0*+01+23 4*+,,+56. For Him it was a matter of
when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the
following up front*
How long will you fast 7 one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty
days /Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts6
&he type of fast 'od wants you to undertake /such as water only, or water
and %uices3 what kinds of %uices you will drink and how often6
!hat physical or social activities you will restrict
How much time each day you will devote to prayer and 'od8s !ord
-aking these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when
physical temptations and life8s pressures tempt you to abandon it.
STEP !: Pre"are Yourse#$ S"iritua##%
&he very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. 9nconfessed sin will
hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart*
$sk 'od to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
)onfess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and
accept 'od8s forgiveness /+ .ohn +*46
Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who
have hurt you /-ark ++*(53 uke ++*,3 +7*:,,6
-ake restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
$sk 'od to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in
;phesians 5*+2 and His promise in + .ohn 5*+,,+5
Surrender your life fully to .esus )hrist as your ord and -aster3 refuse to
obey your worldly nature /<omans +(*+,(6
-editate on the attributes of 'od, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom,
faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others /Psalm ,2*4,+=3 +=:*+123 ++1
+:6
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an e>pectant heart /Hebrews
++*06
?o not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies
the natural battle between body and spirit /'alatians 5*+0,+76
STEP &: Pre"are Yourse#$ P'%sica##%
Fasting re@uires reasonable precautions. )onsult your physician first, especially
if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons
should never fast without professional supervision. Physical preparation makes
the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your
full attention to the ord in prayer. ?o not rush into your fast. Prepare your body.
;at smaller meals before starting a fast. $void high1fat and sugary foods. ;at
raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
('i#e You Fast
Aour time of fasting and prayer has come. Aou are abstaining from solid foods
and have begun to seek the ord. Here are some helpful suggestions to
consider*
$void drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies.
-edication should be withdrawn only with your physician8s supervision.
imit your activity. ;>ercise only moderately. !alk one to three miles
each day if convenient and comfortable. <est as much as your schedule
will permit.
Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience,
crankiness, and an>iety.
;>pect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. Aou
may have fleeting hunger pains, diBBiness, or the Cblahs.D !ithdrawal
from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances
may also include weakness, tiredness, and sleeplessness.
&he first two or three days are usually the hardest. $s you continue to fast, you
will likely e>perience a sense of well being both physically and spiritually.
However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your li@uid intake.
STEP ): Put Yourse#$ on a Sc'e*u#e
For ma>imum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the ord.
isten for His leading. &he more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful
your fast will be.
Morning
Begin your day in praise and worship. <ead and meditate on 'od8s !ord,
preferably on your knees.
#nvite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according
to Philippians (*+:.
#nvite 'od to use you. $sk Him to show you how to influence your world, your
family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond. Pray for His
vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
Noon
<eturn to prayer and 'od8s !ord. &ake a short prayer walk. Spend time in
intercessory prayer for your community8s and nation8s leaders, for the world8s
unreached millions, for your family or special needs.
Evening
'et alone for an unhurried time of Cseeking His face.D #f others are fasting with
you, meet together for prayer. $void television or any other distraction that may
dampen your spiritual focus.
!hen possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a
brief time of praise and thanksgiving to 'od. onger periods of time with our
ord in prayer and study of His !ord are often better spent alone.
$ dietary routine is vital as well. ?r. .ulio ). <uibal 7 a nutritionist, pastor, and
specialist in fasting and prayer 7 suggest a daily schedule and list of %uices you
may find useful and satisfying. -odify this schedule and the drinks you take to
suit your circumstances and tastes.

5am 8am
Fruit %uices, preferably freshly s@ueeBed or blended and diluted in 5= percent
distilled water if the fruit is acid. $pple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or
other fruit %uices are generally preferred. #f you cannot do your own %uicing, buy
%uices without sugar or additives
10:30am noon
Fresh vegetable %uice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three e@ual parts.
2:30pm 4pm
Herb tea with a drop of honey. $void black tea or any tea with caffeine.
6pm 8:30pm
Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. $fter boiling
about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.
Ti"s $or +uice Fasting
?rinking fruit %uice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some
natural sugar energy. &he taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you
to continue.
&he best %uices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples,
cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. #n cold
weather, you may en%oy a warm vegetable broth.
-i> acidic %uices /orange and tomato6 with water for your stomach8s sake.
$void caffeinated drinks. $nd avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your
breath is bad. &hey stimulate digestive action in your stomach.
Breaking Your Fast
!hen your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But
how you break your fast is e>tremely important for your physical and spiritual
well1being.
STEP ,: En* Your Fast -ra*ua##%
Begin eating gradually. ?o not eat solid foods immediately after you fast.
Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely
have negative, even dangerous, conse@uences. &ry several smaller meals or
snacks each day. #f you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and
spiritual effects will result in continued good health.
Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly*
Break an e>tended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.
!hile continuing to drink fruit or vegetable %uices, add the following*
First day: $dd a raw salad
Second day* $dd baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning.
Third day: $dd a steamed vegetable.
Thereafter * Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.
'radually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first
few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and
cantaloupe. $dvance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw
fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.
STEP .: E/"ect 0esu#ts
#f you sincerely humble yourself before the ord, repent, pray, and seek 'od8s
face3 if you consistently meditate on His !ord, you will e>perience a heightened
awareness of His presence /.ohn +,*(+6. &he ord will give you fresh, new
spiritual insights. Aour confidence and faith in 'od will be strengthened. Aou will
feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. Aou will see answers to your
prayers.
$ single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure1all. .ust as we need fresh infillings
of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before 'od. $ (,1hour
fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many )hristians.
#t takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. #f you fail to make it through
your first fast, do not be discouraged. Aou may have tried to fast too long the
first time out, or you may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. $s
soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. 'od will honor
you for your faithfulness.
# encourage you to %oin me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly
e>perience revival in our homes, our churches, our beloved nation, and
throughout the world.

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