HowtoBeginYourFast

Howyoubeginandconductyourfastwilllargelygreatlyimpactyourexperience.Byfollowingthesesevenbasicstepstofasting,youwill
makeyourtimewiththeLordmoremeaningfulandspirituallyrewarding.

STEP1:SetYourObjective
Whyareyoufasting?Isitforspiritualrenewal,forguidance,forhealing,fortheresolutionofproblems,forspecialgracetohandlea
difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more
specificallyandstrategically.ThroughfastingandprayerwehumbleourselvesbeforeGodsotheHolySpiritwillstiroursouls,awaken
ourchurches,andhealourlandaccordingto2Chronicles7:14.Makethisapriorityinyourfasting.

STEP2:MakeYourCommitment
Prayaboutthekindoffastyoushouldundertake.JesusimpliedthatallofHisfollowersshouldfast(Matthew6:1618;9:14,15)ForHimit
wasamatterofwhenbelieverswouldfast,notiftheywoulddoit.Beforeyoufast,decidethefollowingupfront:
Howlongyouwillfastonemeal,oneday,oneweek,severalweeks,fortydays(Beginnersshouldstartslowly,buildingup
tolongerfasts)
ThetypeoffastGodwantsyoutoundertake(suchaswateronly,orwaterandjuices;whatkindsofjuicesyouwilldrinkand
howoften)
Whatphysicalorsocialactivitiesyouwillrestrict
HowmuchtimeeachdayyouwilldevotetoprayerandGodsWord
Makingthesecommitmentsaheadoftimewillhelpyousustainyourfastwhenphysicaltemptationsandlife'spressurestemptyouto
abandonit.

STEP3:PrepareYourselfSpiritually
Theveryfoundationoffastingandprayerisrepentance.Unconfessedsincanhinderyourprayers.Hereareseveralthingsyoucandoto
prepareyourheart:
RememberthatGodisyourFatherandHelovesyouandisforyou.
ConfesseverysinthattheHolySpiritcallstoyourremembranceandacceptGod'sforgiveness(1John1:9).
Seekforgivenessfromallwhomyouhaveoffended,andforgiveallwhohavehurtyou(Mark11:25;Luke11:4;17:3,4).
MakerestitutionastheHolySpiritleadsyou.
AskGodtofillyouwithHisHolySpiritaccordingtoHiscommandinEphesians5:18andHispromisein1John5:14,15
SurrenderyourlifefullytoJesusChristasyourLordandMaster;refusetoobeyyourworldlynature(Romans12:1,2).
MeditateontheattributesofGod,Hislove,sovereignty,power,wisdom,faithfulness,grace,compassion,andothers(Psalm
48:9,10;103:18,1113).
Beginyourtimeoffastingandprayerwithanexpectantheart(Hebrews11:6).
Donotunderestimatespiritualopposition.Satansometimesintensifiesthenaturalbattlebetweenbodyandspirit(Galatians
5:16,17).

STEP4:PrepareYourselfPhysically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic
ailment.Somepersonsshouldneverfastwithoutprofessionalsupervision.

PhysicalpreparationmakesthedrasticchangeinyoureatingroutinealittleeasiersothatyoucanturnyourfullattentiontotheLordin
prayer.
Donotrushintoyourfast
Prepareyourbody.Eatsmallermealsbeforestartingafast.Avoidhighfatandsugaryfoods.
Eatrawfruitandvegetablesfortwodaysbeforestartingafast

Whileyoufast:
Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some
helpfulsuggestionstoconsider:
Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your
physician'ssupervision.
Limityouractivity.
Exerciseonlymoderately.Walkonetothreemileseachdayifconvenientandcomfortable.
Restasmuchasyourschedulewillpermit.
Prepareyourselffortemporarymentaldiscomforts,suchasimpatience,crankiness,andanxiety.
Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the
"blahs."Withdrawalfromcaffeineandsugarmaycauseheadaches.Physicalannoyancesmayalsoincludeweakness,tiredness,
orsleeplessness.
Thefirsttwoorthreedaysareusuallythehardest.Asyoucontinuetofast,youwilllikelyexperienceasenseofwellbeingbothphysically
andspiritually.However,shouldyoufeelhungerpains,increaseyourliquidintake.

STEP5:PutYourselfonaSchedule
Formaximumspiritualbenefit,setasideampletimetobealonewiththeLord.ListenforHisleading.ThemoretimeyouspendwithHim,
themoremeaningfulyourfastwillbe.

Morning
Beginyourdayinpraiseandworship.
ReadandmeditateonGod'sWord.
InvitetheHolySpirittoworkinyoutowillandtodoHisgoodpleasureaccordingtoPhilippians2:13
InviteGodtouseyou.AskHimtoshowyouhowtoinfluenceyourworld,yourfamily,yourchurch,yourcommunity,your
country,andbeyond.
PrayforHisvisionforyourlifeandempowermenttodoHiswill.
Noon
ReturntoprayerandGod'sWord.
Takeashortprayerwalk.
Spendtimeinintercessoryprayerforyourcommunity'sandnation'sleaders,fortheworld'sunreachedmillions,foryour
familyorspecialneeds.
Evening
Getaloneforanunhurriedtimeof"seekingHisface."
Ifothersarefastingwithyou,meettogetherforprayer.
Avoidtelevisionoranyotherdistractionthatmaydampenyourspiritualfocus

Whenpossible,beginandendeachdaywithyourspouseforabrieftimeofpraiseandthanksgivingtoGod.Longerperiodsoftimewith
ourLordinprayerandstudyofHisWordareoftenbetterspentalone.

Adietaryroutineisvitalaswell.Dr.JulioC.Ruibalanutritionist,pastor,andspecialistinfastingandprayersuggestsadailyschedule
andlistofjuicesyoumayfindusefulandsatisfying.Modifythisscheduleandthedrinksyoutaketosuityourcircumstancesandtastes.

5a.m.8a.m.
Fruitjuices,preferablyfreshlysqueezedorblendedanddilutedin50percentdistilledwaterifthefruitisacid.Apple,pear,grapefruit,
papaya,watermelon,orotherfruitjuicesaregenerallypreferred.Ifyoucannotdoyourownjuicing,buyjuiceswithoutsugaroradditives.

10:30a.m.noon
Freshvegetablejuicemadefromlettuce,celery,andcarrotsinthreeequalparts.

2:30p.m.4p.m.
Herbteawithadropofhoney.

6p.m.8:30p.m.
Brothmadefromboilingpotatoes,celery,andcarrotswithnosalt.Afterboilingabouthalfanhour,pourthewaterintoacontainerand
drinkit.

TipsonJuiceFasting
Drinkingfruitjuicewilldecreaseyourhungerpainsandgiveyousomenaturalsugarenergy.Thetasteandliftwillmotivate
andstrengthenyoutocontinue.
The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green
vegetables.Incoldweather,youmayenjoyawarmvegetablebroth.
Mixacidicjuices(orangeandtomato)withwaterforyourstomach'ssake.
Avoidcaffeinateddrinks.Andavoidchewinggumormints,evenifyourbreathisbad.Theystimulatedigestiveactioninyour
stomach.
BreakingYourFast
Whenyourdesignatedtimeforfastingisfinished,youwillbegintoeatagain.Buthowyoubreakyourfastisextremelyimportantfor
yourphysicalandspiritualwellbeing.

STEP6:EndYourFastGradually
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and
digestivetractwilllikelyhavenegative,evendangerous,consequences.Tryseveralsmallermealsorsnackseachday.Ifyouendyourfast
gradually,thebeneficialphysicalandspiritualeffectswillresultincontinuedgoodhealth.
Herearesomesuggestionstohelpyouendyourfastproperly:
Breakanextendedwaterfastwithfruitsuchaswatermelon.
Whilecontinuingtodrinkfruitorvegetablejuices,addthefollowing:
Firstday:Addarawsalad.
Secondday:Addbakedorboiledpotato,nobutterorseasoning.
Thirdday:Addasteamedvegetable.
Thereafter:Begintoreintroduceyournormaldiet.
Graduallyreturntoregulareatingwithseveralsmallsnacksduringthefirstfewdays.Startwithalittlesoupandfreshfruit
suchaswatermelonandcantaloupe.Advancetoafewtablespoonsofsolidfoodssuchasrawfruitsandvegetablesoraraw
saladandbakedpotato.

STEP7:ExpectResults
IfyousincerelyhumbleyourselfbeforetheLord,repent,pray,andseekGod'sface;ifyouconsistentlymeditateonHisWord,youwill
experienceaheightenedawarenessofHispresence(John14:21).TheLordwillgiveyoufresh,newspiritualinsights.Yourconfidenceand
faithinGodwillbestrengthened.Youwillfeelmentally,spiritually,andphysicallyrefreshed.Youwillseeanswerstoyourprayers.
Asinglefast,however,isnotaspiritualcureall.JustasweneedfreshinfillingsoftheHolySpiritdaily,wealsoneednewtimesoffasting
beforeGod.A24hourfasteachweekhasbeengreatlyrewardingtomanyChristians.
Ittakestimetobuildyourspiritualfastingmuscles.Ifyoufailtomakeitthroughyourfirstfast,donotbediscouraged.Youmayhave
triedtofasttoolongthefirsttimeout,oryourmayneedtostrengthenyourunderstandingandresolve.Assoonaspossible,undertake
anotherfastuntilyoudosucceed.Godwillhonoryouforyourfaithfulness.
Iencourageyoutojoinmeinfastingandprayeragainandagainuntilwetrulyexperiencerevivalinourhomes,ourchurches,ourbeloved
nation,andthroughouttheworld.

Acknowledgments:BillBright,CampusCrusadeForChristInternational
http://www.ccci.org/trainingandgrowth.aspx

HowtoExperienceandMaintainPersonalRenewal
1.

AsktheHolySpirittorevealanyunconfessedsininyourlife.

2.

Seekforgivenessfromallwhomyouhaveoffended,andforgiveallwhohavehurtyou.MakerestitutionwhereGodleads.

3.

InvitetheHolySpirittosearchyourheartandreceiveGodsmercytowardsyou.(Psalm66:1820)

4.

AsktheHolySpirittoguardyourwalkagainstcomplacencyandmediocrity.

5.

PraiseandgivethankstoGodcontinuallyinallwaysonalldays,regardlessofyourcircumstances.

6.

Refusetoobeyyourcarnal(worldy)nature(Galatians5:16,17).

7.

SurrenderyourlifetoJesusChristasyourSaviorandLord.DeveloputterdependenceonHimwithtotalsubmissionandhumility.

8.

StudytheattributesofGod.

9.

Hungerandthirstafterrighteousness(Matthew5:6).

10. LoveGodwithallofyourheart,soul,andmind(Matthew22:37).
11. AppropriatethecontinualfullnessandcontroloftheHolySpiritbyfaithonthebasisofGod'scommand(Ephesians5:18)andpromise(1John
5:14,15).
12. Read,study,meditateon,andmemorizeGod'sholy,inspired,inerrantWorddaily(Colossians3:16).
13. Praywithoutceasing(1Thessalonians5:17).
14. Fastandprayone24hourperiodeachweek.
15. SeektoshareChristdailyasawayoflife.
16. Determinetoliveaholy,godlylifeofobedienceandfaith.
17. StartorjoinahomeorchurchBiblestudygroupthatemphasizesrevivalandaholylife.

SixVitalQuestionsAboutPrayer

Q:WhatIsPrayer?
Simplyput,prayeriscommunicatingwithGod.RealprayerisexpressingourdevotiontoourheavenlyFather,invitingHimtotalktousaswetalktoHim.

Q:WhoCanPray?
Anyonecanpray,butonlythosewhowalkinfaithandobediencetoChristcanexpecttoreceiveanswerstotheirprayers.ContactwithGodbeginswhen
wereceiveJesusintoourlivesasSaviorandLord(John14:6).Prayingwithacleanheartisalsovitaltosuccessfulprayer.WecannotexpectGodtoanswer
ourprayersifthereisanyunconfessedsininourlifeorifweareharboringanunforgivingspirit(Psalm66:18;Mark11:25).ForGodtoanswerourprayers,
wemusthaveabelievingheartandaskaccordingtoHiswill(Matthew9:29;21:22;1John5:14,15).

Q:WhyAreWetoPray?
God'sWordcommandsustopray(Luke18:1;Acts6:4;Mark14:38;Philippians4:6;Colossians4:2;1Timothy2:1,2).WepraytohavefellowshipwithGod,
receivespiritualnurtureandstrengthtoliveavictoriouslife,andmaintainboldnessforavitalwitnessforChrist.PrayerreleasesGod'sgreatpowerto
changethecourseofnature,people,andnations.

Q:ToWhomDoWePray?
WepraytotheFatherinthenameoftheLordJesusChristthroughtheministryoftheHolySpirit.whenwepraytotheFather,ourprayersareacceptedby
JesusChristandinterpretedtoGodtheFatherbytheHolySpirit(Romans8:26,27,34).

Q:WhenShouldWePray?
God's Word commands us to "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We can be in prayer throughout the day, expressing and demonstrating our
devotiontoGodaswegoaboutourdailytasks.Itisnotalwaysnecessarytobeonourknees,oreveninaquietroomtopray.Godwantsustobeintouch
withHimconstantlywhereverweare.Wecanprayinthecar,whilewashingthedishes,orwhilewalkingdownthestreet.

Q:WhatShouldWeIncludeinOurPrayers?
Although prayer cannot be reduced to a formula, certain basic elements should be included in our communication with God: Adoration, Confession,
Thanksgiving,Supplication(ACTS).

AAdoration
ToadoreGodistoworshipandpraiseHim,tohonorandexaltHiminourheartandmindandwithourlips.

CConfession
Whenourdisciplineofprayerbeginswithadoration,theHolySpirithasopportunitytorevealanysininourlifethatneedstobeconfessed.

TThanksgiving
AnattitudeofthanksgivingtoGod,forwhoHeisandforthebenefitsweenjoybecausewebelongtoHim,enablesustorecognizethatHecontrolsall
thingsnotjusttheblessings,buttheproblemsandadversitiesaswell.AsweapproachGodwithathankfulheart,Hebecomesstrongonourbehalf.

SSupplication
Supplication includes petition for our own needs and intercession for others. Pray that your inner person may be renewed, always sensitive to and
empoweredbytheHolySpirit.Prayforothersyourspouse,yourchildren,yourparents,neighbors,andfriends;ournationandthoseinauthorityoverus.
Prayforthesalvationofsouls,foradailyopportunitytointroduceotherstoChristandtotheministryoftheHolySpirit,andforthefulfillmentoftheGreat
Commission.