21 day journey of fasting and praying...February 6 - 27, 2012...May this journey help you to grow deeper in your relationship with God and others.
Fasting is about our relationship with the Lord...it is not about what we do but why we do it...
This journey is not meant to be walked alone...during this 21 day journey we would like to post prayer requests and praises, what God has been doing in and through you, scriptures, recipes and anything else...if you would like to post something on our website please email the church office your "post"...only your first name will be shared with what is posted.
Blessings on your journey...any questions please contact the church office at newguilford@pa.net or 717-352-2458
few thoughts to Preparing for the Fast...thoughts from Pastor Lawton:
February 6th is fast approaching and I’m really excited that we are doing the Daniel Fast as a church. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind as you prepare.
- Participation is completely voluntary. While it might seem that I am promoting this heavily, please do not participatesimply out of guilt.
- Go into the fast with grace. The purpose of the fast is to act on your hunger for God. If for some reason you do not complete the fast or have to break it and start again, or can just observe certain aspects of it, that is okay.
- It’s important to be intentional in spending time reading the Bible, praying, journaling anything that will help us be still before God. Be praying now about what God wants you to pray about during the fast. Look over the sermon notes from January 15th, perhaps you can really relate to one of the reasons given for fasting.
- Pray for our church including the pastor. Pray through our vision statement. This fast is very much in line with our vision.
- Prepare for the fast physically. As the brochure notes, it would be beneficial to wean yourself off of caffeine and sugar before beginning the fast. Also, drink lots of water, at least ½ gallon a day.
- Fill out the Daniel Fast form so we can encourage one another. Pray for and with others doing the fast.
Here are some details about the Daniel Fast:
What is a Daniel Fast?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, fasting is “the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.” However, that definition really doesn’t do it justice. Fasting is a personal invitation from the God of the universe, inviting us to dive deep into spiritual waters. It’s a powerful tool that God uses to help us discover the joy in denying self so that we can serve the Lord and others with pure hearts. Fasting is mentioned repeatedly throughout Scripture, but unfortunately many Christians dismiss it as an Old Testament practice and unnecessary for today. Not even willing to entertain the thought of depriving themselves of anything, they forfeit some of God’s greatest blessings and miss out on knowing the Lord on a much deeper level.
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast and truly a unique opportunity for you to seek the Lord. The purpose of the fast is is to eliminate commonly enjoyed foods for three weeks as an act of worship and consecration to God. By denying yourself certain foods, you will learn 1) that hunger pains won’t kill you, 2) how much you use food for comfort instead of fuel for your body, and 3) that you feel much better when you eat healthy foods. You’ll also experience 1) a greater spiritual awareness and sense of God’s presence in your life, 2) the indescribable joy that comes from obedience to the Lord, and 3) the Lord’s blessing and favor as you seek Him with all that you are. Throughout this 21-day journey, you will discover that to fast is actually to feast on the only thing that truly nourishes us inside and out – the powerful, life-changing Word of God.
Foods to Eat on the Daniel Fast
•All fruit - fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
•All vegetables - fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
•All whole grains - amaranth, barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, and whole wheat.
•All nuts & seeds - almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. Nut butters are also included.
•All legumes - canned or dried; black beans, black eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans, and split peas.
•All quality oils - canola, coconut, grapeseed, olive, peanut, and sesame.
•Beverages - distilled water, filtered water, and spring water.
•Other - herbs, spices, salt, pepper, seasonings, soy products, and tofu.
Foods to Avoid on the Daniel Fast
•All meat & animal products - beef, buffalo, fish, lamb, poultry, and pork.
•All dairy products - butter, cheese, cream, eggs, and milk.
•All sweeteners - agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw sugar, syrups, stevia, and sugar.
•All leavened bread & yeast - baked goods and Ezekiel bread (if it contains yeast and honey).
•All refined & processed food products - artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, white flour, and white rice.
•All deep-fried foods - corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.
•All solid fats - lard, margarine, and shortening.
•Beverages - alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, herbal tea, and tea.
taken from: www.ultimatedanielfast.com
