2015 Messiah Community Church Prayer & Fasting ToolkitTogether In One Place

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31

THE 2015 CORPORATE FAST AT MESSIAHWHAT IS FASTING?Our church’s theme for the year 2015 is “Unstoppable” – God’s Power In Us, God’s Power Through Us! Together, we are believing God that we are an unstoppable force for good in the earth and for God’s glory as we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. Join us for 10 days of fasting, for 10 hours a day (7am to 5pm), with 10 nights of prayer together.This year’s fast provides options for either a complete fast during the 10 hour period or the Daniel fast. Both are explained below.

WHAT IS A PARTIAL FAST?The Partial Fast is based on the 40 day, complete fasts of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus found in the following passages of the Bible, respectively: Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, and Matthew 4:1-10. The Partial Fast may be for a portion of a day or for several days at a time. It is practiced by abstaining from food altogether. (Our partial fast strongly encourages drinking plenty of water in order to stay hydrated.) You may also prefer to sip on fresh juices during the period of the day in which we are fasting.

WHAT IS THE DANIEL FAST?The Daniel Fast is based on Daniel’s choice “not to defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine.” Daniel chose, for a season, to be “given vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (Daniel 1:8-17 NRSV) In the midst of an attempt to persuade Daniel and his friends to abandon their allegiance to God, they consecrated themselves with a fast and God gave them great favor!

We practice a version of the Daniel Fast at Messiah by choosing to eat only vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, etc. We abstain from meats, sweets, breads, and caffeine. Some may choose to eat fish during their Daniel Fast...but Daniel doesn’t seem to have done so.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE 2015 FAST?CHOOSE A FASTING OPTIONFor 10 days, beginning on January 4th through January 13th, we will fast as a church community. Choose from one of the fasting options, either the Daniel Fast or the Partial Fast. Whichever one you choose, we recommend sticking with it for the entire 10-day period rather than doing both on different days.

SET ASIDE 10 HOURS (7am to 5pm)The 10-hour time frame for our fast will go from 7am until 5pm each day. After 5pm, feel free to enjoy a healthy meal, but please refrain from overeating or indulging in foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. Again, be mindful to drink lots of water.

JOIN THE MORNING CALLEach day we will begin our morning with a time of corporate prayer and devotion via telephone conference call, from 6am to 6:20am. Simply dial in to the Messiah conference call number – (712) 432-0400, code 217151#. There will be a time of devotion and prayer led by one of our ministry team members.

COME TOGETHER NIGHTLYEach evening during our fast, the doors of our Ministry Center will be open from 7pm to 8pm. Join us for corporate and individual prayer as we lift up our requests to God. If you cannot make it each night, set a goal of at least 3 nights.

SHOUT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIAEach day share the daily Scripture, something you’re learning, an answered prayer, a relevant photo, or some word of encouragement on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat! Your tweets, chats, & posts will be a huge blessing to someone who needs Christ!

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHILE FASTING?During the fasting season, expect to feel different the first two or three days of the fast, as your body gets rid of toxins and begins to adjust to not having meats, sweets, bread, and caffeine. It will be helpful to slow down your schedule for reading, reflection, prayer, and rest as much as may be possible. Eventually, you will feel more energy.

You should also expect, as you read Scripture and pray with more focus, to begin to gain clarity in your spirit. Expect to hear from God and to be more spiritually alert. You should also expect to experience spiritual attack from Satan, including temptation to eat the things you’re abstaining from, temptation to eat more, and words of doubt sown in your mind. Stand firm by praying the Scriptures and consider having a prayer partner to help you through the tough spots.

ARE THERE ANY RECIPES FOR THE DANIEL FAST?The internet is loaded with wonderful recipes for the Daniel Fast. Just google “Daniel Fast recipes” and enjoy the variety of wonderful options!

CAN I FAST FROM SOMETHING OTHER THAN FOOD?There is no biblical precedent for fasting that does not include certain foods or all foods. While there is no prohibition from fasts that include TV, the internet, shopping, etc., we recommend fasting that includes food since it is so basic to our daily existence. Food speaks most directly to our urges and appetites in the natural realm, forcing us to address them with spiritual means -- i.e., prayer and Scripture. Of course, if medical reasons preclude you from fasting from food, your fasting is between you and The Lord! Another approach, then, is acceptable as God directs you.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

As always, please check with your doctor to make sure your health will not be at risk if you participate in fasting. Pregnant and nursing mothers, please do not participate. If you are medically cleared, age 15 or older, we invite you to join us for this exciting time of seeking God at Messiah! Parents should determine if their children, ages 15-17, may join the corporate fast.

ARE THERE BOOKS I CAN READ ABOUT FASTING?In addition to our Messiah Fasting Tool Kit, we recommend the following book resources:• The Daniel Plan by Pastor Rick Warren• Fasting by Pastor Jentezen Franklin• The Fasting Edge: Recover Your Passion. Recapture Your Dream. Restore Your Joy by Jentezen Franklin• A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting & Prayer by John Piper• Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts by Elmer Towns• Daily prayers & scripture reading using the S.O.A.P. method

Day 1 (January 4th)Scripture: Acts 1:4-8

Prayer Emphasis: SURRENDER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Day 2 (January 5th)Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Prayer Emphasis: A FRESH OUTPOURING IN OUR

LIVES & MINISTRY

Day 3 (January 6th)Scripture: Acts 4:18-31

Prayer Emphasis: SPIRITUAL BOLDNESS & UNITY

Day 4 (January 7th)Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Prayer Emphasis: THE SPIRIT OF COURAGE & A

COMMITMENT TO SCRIPTURE

Day 5 (January 8th)Scripture: Exodus 35:20-36:7

Prayer Emphasis: FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR

THE TRANSITION TO OUR WORSHIP CENTER

Day 6 (January 9th)Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Prayer Emphasis: OPENNESS TO CHANGE & FRESH APPROACHES TO

MINISTRY

Day 7 (January 10th)Scripture: Numbers 11:16-30

Prayer Emphasis: MORE LEADERS WITH THE

SAME SPIRIT OPERATING IN THE PASTOR

Day 8 (January 11th)Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12

Prayer Emphasis: DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, & DEPLOYMENT OF EVERYONE’S

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Day 9 (January 12th)Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Prayer Emphasis: TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS

WITH MINISTRY

Day 10 (January 13th)Scripture: Acts 5:14-16

Prayer Emphasis: MARITAL, EMOTIONAL, RELATIONAL HEALING