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FASTING

The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. God desires to grow us in faith during our Daniel fast.  Make your first prayer request – Lord I want to know You more.

BIBLICAL FASTING FOCUS

Pray

We will be praying for all areas of the church, country and personal needs.

Fast

We do encourage all in Riverside Church to do some form of fasting eg. selective fast, complete fast, partial fast, soul fast or any combination of them.  It is for you to be led by The Holy Spirit.

 

Daniel fast food list

Fruits
Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Cherries, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Watermelon, Nectarines, Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Tangerines.
Vegetables
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celery, Chili Peppers, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger Root, Leeks, Lettuce, Cabbage, Spinach, Mushrooms, Onions, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Radishes, Sprouts, Squashes, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Turnips, Yams.
Whole Grains
Whole Wheat, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Oats, Barley, Grits, Rice Cakes, Popcorn.
Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes
Sunflower Seeds, Cashews, Peanuts, Sesame, Nut Butter, Peanut Butter, Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Cannellini Beans, White Beans.
Oils and Beverages
Olive, Canola, Grape Seed, Peanut, Sesame, Spring Water, Distilled Water, Other Pure Waters.

Scripture References

[list-ul type=”cross”][li-row]Matthew 6:16-18[/li-row][li-row]Matthew 9:14-15[/li-row][li-row]Luke 18:9-14[/li-row][li-row]Acts 27:33-37[/li-row][li-row]Nehemiah 9:1-3[/li-row][/list-ul]

Types of Fasts

Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

Complete Fast

In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.

Selective Fast

This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.

Partial Fast

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

Soul Fast

This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

Fasting Basics

Simply stated, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.
According to the Bible, there are three duties of every Christian: give, pray and fast.
Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength—strength which you can only receive from God. Your private discipline will bring you rewards in Heaven,says Matthew 6. When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.

Why should I fast?

1. Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
2. Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
3. Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
4. Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
5. Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
6. Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
7. Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
8. Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
9. Do you desire to know God’s will for your life?