21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
This Sunday, January 13, we will be starting 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. This will be the third year in a row that we have taken this time in January. We will be praying and fasting for a spiritual awakening in our hearts, in our church and in our city.
I believe that as we seek God in this way, He will do miracles beyond our wildest dreams. Imagine what God could do in and through the millions of people who call LA home - if they understood God’s love, power and purpose. Together we will take this journey.
I’m asking all Oasis people to
- Commit to a daily time of prayer.
- Fast for a part of the 21 days
- Fast one day each week or
- 3 day period of the 21 days or
- fast a meal each day or
- fast some kinds of food or drink for 21 days
What Is Fasting?
Fasting is substituting our regular food intake with Bible reading, praying and reflection. The ‘big idea’ is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God.
Fasting is redirecting the attention normally spent on food, to focus our hearts and minds on Christ and His plan for our lives. When you experience hunger or a craving, this is your reminder to pray or turn to Him for your needs. Ask God to help you see things as He sees them, and how you can be used to impact your family, community and world.
The goal is to focus on God. Don’t let yourself get bogged down in the legalities of what food is right or wrong. Just do your best to follow some of these guidelines. You will find that even the smallest change to your diet will bring great rewards, both physically and spiritually.
Fasting is disconnecting from something and prayer is connecting with something – God and His purpose.
*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.
Types of Fasting
There are many types of fasts. I will tell you about three of them.
1. Normal Fast – no food only liquids for a 24-hour period or a certain number of days.
2. Partial Fast – is eliminating certain foods or drinks from our diet.
The Daniel Fast - is a partial fast, which means that we eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have options available. We focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. Below is a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.
Foods To Eat in the Daniel Fast - Whole Grains, Legumes, Fruits, Vegetables.
Foods To Avoid in a Daniel Fast - Meat, Poultry, Fish, White Rice, Fried Foods, Carbonated Beverages, Refined Sugar, or Sugar Substitutes, White Flour, Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products, All Breads, Dairy (milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.).
Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.
3. Lifestyle Fast – What is a Lifestyle Fast? Choose something from your daily routine, for example, specific foods or beverages, television, other technology or an activity that normally takes a lot of your attention and ‘fast’ in that manner for a number of days in the next 21 days.
This is about fasting from those things that may consume our time and resources and stand in our way of truly connecting with God.
For some of us, this will mean fasting from technology. Not necessarily all technology, but those things that keep you from spending time with God. Maybe you watch too much television or surf the web aimlessly.
For others, it could be shopping, sports or another hobby or pastime that can distract you from what’s most important.
Whatever that thing is for you, take a week off or take 21 days off. And instead, give that time to God.
Our 21-Day Plan
Our Focus: The fast is a spiritual discipline and act of devotion. The purpose of fasting is: 1. to better connect us with God. 2. to deepen our relationship with God and to walk in step with His plan and purpose. 3. to bring breakthrough in our life
Our Timeline: Sunday, January 13 through Saturday, February 2.
