November 2025 Newsletter - Flipbook - Page 4
A Time of Grace and Gratitude
A Week of Fasting & Prayer
It is wise to consult your doctor regarding the effect of fasting combined with your medication
before you begin.
How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success.
By following basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful
and spiritually rewarding.
Besides our corporate reason, ask yourself, " Why are you fasting?" Is it for spiritual renewal, for
guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult
situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your fast. This will enable you
to pray more specifically and strategically. Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before
God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our church, and heal our land according to 2
Chronicles 7:14.
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 up front:
How long you will fast - will you be able to participate in MFM'S fasting schedule. If not, what is
your commitment?
The type of fast - will you be able to commit to the Daniel or the absolute fast?
What physical or social activities will you restrict?
How much time each day will you devote to prayer and reading God's Word?
Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations
and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers.
Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness
(1 John 1:9)
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise
in 1 John 5:14,15.
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature
(Romans 12:1,2)
Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between
body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17)
It is vital that we prepare our physical man for a fast as well. Here are several things you can do to
prepare physically:
Reduce your caffeine intake the week prior to commencing the fast. Caffeine should be completely
eliminated at least 3 days prior to the fast. This will prevent unnecessary "caffeine" headaches
during the fast.
Reduce certain meats from your diet at least 3 days prior to the fast. This includes beef and pork.
This will allow your body time to rid itself from toxins and reducing fatigue during the fast.
Eliminate sugars, processed, and fried foods at least 3 days prior to the fast. This includes candies,
pastries, chocolate, and fast food items. This will greatly reduced headaches during the fast.
