Fasting Guide
PRAYER AND FASTING AT CWC
Periodically we enter into times of fasting and focused prayer as a church family. Each day of our fast we corporately pray in the evenings typically from 5:00PM – 6:30PM EST. We encourage you to pray with us in our sanctuary or on our various online platforms. After prayer those who wish to break the fast for the rest of the evening are free to do so.
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. At Christian Worship Center we follow an absolute fast – in this type of fast you abstain from food and liquids. It is essential that you know your body and select a fast that is healthy for you, please consult your doctor before fasting. If you cannot completely abstain from food and liquids, we suggest following a regular fast, partial fast or a selective fast such as the Daniel fast. In a regular fast you only drink liquids, typically water and light fruit juices. In a partial fast you abstain from eating for specific portion of the day, typically the morning and afternoon. In a selective fast you remove certain elements from your diet, for example the Daniel fast consists of only eating fruits and vegetables in addition to drinking water and natural fruit juice.
PRAYFIRST
Biblical fasting is always accompanied by prayer. You can pray without fasting but you cannot fast without prayer. The physical act of fasting is only part of the spiritual experience. Prayer is paramount in turning the physical act of fasting into a complete spiritual journey.
WHY WE FAST
The goal of biblical fasting is to draw nearer to God. Fasting displays our desire and dependence on God. As we abstain and concentrate on God as our source, our spirit is strengthened. In the bible there are several examples of the purpose of prayer and fasting, we have listed a few below.
TO PREPARE FOR MINISTRY
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness | Matthew 4:1-17 NKJVarrow_outward
TO BREAK STRONGHOLDS
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy | Matthew 17:14-21 NKJVarrow_outward
TO SEEK ANSWERS FROM GOD
Daniel’s Prayer | Daniel 9:3 NKJVarrow_outward
TO SEEK GOD’S FAVOR
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon | 2 Chronicles 20:3;12 NKJVarrow_outward
HOW WE FAST
We fast discreetly and in faith.
DISCREETLY | Matthew 6:16-18 NKJVarrow_outward
IN FAITH | Hebrews 11:6 NKJVarrow_outward
ENCOURAGEMENT
Pray for success during your fast and ask God to reveal Himself to you in a new way. Remember God’s everlasting mercy and His promises are yes and Amen! Psalm 118:23-25 NLTarrow_outward