HowtoBeginYourFastHowyoubeginandconductyourfastwilllargelygreatlyimpactyourexperience.Byfollowingthesesevenbasicstepstofasting,youwillmakeyourtimewiththeLordmoremeaningfulandspirituallyrewarding.

STEP1:SetYourObjective

Whyareyoufasting? Is it forspiritual renewal, forguidance, forhealing, for theresolutionofproblems, forspecialgracetohandleadifficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray morespecificallyandstrategically.ThroughfastingandprayerwehumbleourselvesbeforeGodsotheHolySpiritwillstiroursouls,awakenourchurches,andhealourlandaccordingto2Chronicles7:14.Makethisapriorityinyourfasting.

STEP2:MakeYourCommitment

Prayaboutthekindoffastyoushouldundertake.JesusimpliedthatallofHisfollowersshouldfast(Matthew6:1618;9:14,15)ForHimitwasamatterofwhenbelieverswouldfast,notiftheywoulddoit.Beforeyoufast,decidethefollowingupfront:

Howlongyouwillfastonemeal,oneday,oneweek,severalweeks,fortydays(Beginnersshouldstartslowly,buildinguptolongerfasts)

ThetypeoffastGodwantsyoutoundertake(suchaswateronly,orwaterandjuices;whatkindsofjuicesyouwilldrinkandhowoften)

Whatphysicalorsocialactivitiesyouwillrestrict

HowmuchtimeeachdayyouwilldevotetoprayerandGodsWord

Makingthesecommitmentsaheadoftimewillhelpyousustainyourfastwhenphysicaltemptationsandlife'spressurestemptyoutoabandonit.

STEP3:PrepareYourselfSpiritually

Theveryfoundationoffastingandprayerisrepentance.Unconfessedsincanhinderyourprayers.Hereareseveralthingsyoucandotoprepareyourheart:

RememberthatGodisyourFatherandHelovesyouandisforyou.

ConfesseverysinthattheHolySpiritcallstoyourremembranceandacceptGod'sforgiveness(1John1:9).

Seekforgivenessfromallwhomyouhaveoffended,andforgiveallwhohavehurtyou(Mark11:25;Luke11:4;17:3,4).

MakerestitutionastheHolySpiritleadsyou.

AskGodtofillyouwithHisHolySpiritaccordingtoHiscommandinEphesians5:18andHispromisein1John5:14,15

SurrenderyourlifefullytoJesusChristasyourLordandMaster;refusetoobeyyourworldlynature(Romans12:1,2).

MeditateontheattributesofGod,Hislove,sovereignty,power,wisdom,faithfulness,grace,compassion,andothers(Psalm48:9,10;103:18,1113).

Beginyourtimeoffastingandprayerwithanexpectantheart(Hebrews11:6).

Donotunderestimatespiritualopposition.Satansometimesintensifiesthenaturalbattlebetweenbodyandspirit(Galatians5:16,17).

STEP4:PrepareYourselfPhysically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescriptionmedication or have a chronicailment.Somepersonsshouldneverfastwithoutprofessionalsupervision.PhysicalpreparationmakesthedrasticchangeinyoureatingroutinealittleeasiersothatyoucanturnyourfullattentiontotheLordinprayer.

Donotrushintoyourfast

Prepareyourbody.Eatsmallermealsbeforestartingafast.Avoidhighfatandsugaryfoods.

Eatrawfruitandvegetablesfortwodaysbeforestartingafast

Whileyoufast:Your timeof fastingandprayerhas come. Youareabstaining fromall solid foodsandhavebegun to seek theLord. Hereare somehelpfulsuggestionstoconsider:

Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with yourphysician'ssupervision.

Limityouractivity.

Exerciseonlymoderately.Walkonetothreemileseachdayifconvenientandcomfortable.

Restasmuchasyourschedulewillpermit.

Prepareyourselffortemporarymentaldiscomforts,suchasimpatience,crankiness,andanxiety.

Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the"blahs."Withdrawalfromcaffeineandsugarmaycauseheadaches.Physicalannoyancesmayalsoincludeweakness,tiredness,orsleeplessness.

Thefirsttwoorthreedaysareusuallythehardest.Asyoucontinuetofast,youwilllikelyexperienceasenseofwellbeingbothphysicallyandspiritually.However,shouldyoufeelhungerpains,increaseyourliquidintake.

STEP5:PutYourselfonaSchedule

Formaximumspiritualbenefit,setasideampletimetobealonewiththeLord.ListenforHisleading.ThemoretimeyouspendwithHim,themoremeaningfulyourfastwillbe.Morning

Beginyourdayinpraiseandworship. ReadandmeditateonGod'sWord. InvitetheHolySpirittoworkinyoutowillandtodoHisgoodpleasureaccordingtoPhilippians2:13 InviteGodtouseyou.AskHimtoshowyouhowtoinfluenceyourworld,yourfamily,yourchurch,yourcommunity,yourcountry,andbeyond. PrayforHisvisionforyourlifeandempowermenttodoHiswill.

Noon ReturntoprayerandGod'sWord. Takeashortprayerwalk. Spendtime in intercessoryprayer foryourcommunity'sandnation's leaders, for theworld'sunreachedmillions, foryourfamilyorspecialneeds.

Evening Getaloneforanunhurriedtimeof"seekingHisface." Ifothersarefastingwithyou,meettogetherforprayer. Avoidtelevisionoranyotherdistractionthatmaydampenyourspiritualfocus

Whenpossible,beginandendeachdaywithyourspouseforabrieftimeofpraiseandthanksgivingtoGod.LongerperiodsoftimewithourLordinprayerandstudyofHisWordareoftenbetterspentalone.Adietaryroutineisvitalaswell.Dr.JulioC.Ruibalanutritionist,pastor,andspecialistinfastingandprayersuggestsadailyscheduleandlistofjuicesyoumayfindusefulandsatisfying.Modifythisscheduleandthedrinksyoutaketosuityourcircumstancesandtastes.5a.m.8a.m.Fruit juices,preferablyfreshlysqueezedorblendedanddilutedin50percentdistilledwater ifthefruit isacid.Apple,pear,grapefruit,papaya,watermelon,orotherfruitjuicesaregenerallypreferred.Ifyoucannotdoyourownjuicing,buyjuiceswithoutsugaroradditives.10:30a.m.noonFreshvegetablejuicemadefromlettuce,celery,andcarrotsinthreeequalparts.2:30p.m.4p.m.Herbteawithadropofhoney.6p.m.8:30p.m.Brothmadefromboilingpotatoes,celery,andcarrotswithnosalt.Afterboilingabouthalfanhour,pourthewaterintoacontaineranddrinkit.

TipsonJuiceFasting

Drinkingfruitjuicewilldecreaseyourhungerpainsandgiveyousomenaturalsugarenergy.Thetasteandliftwillmotivateandstrengthenyoutocontinue.

The best juices aremade from freshwatermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy greenvegetables.Incoldweather,youmayenjoyawarmvegetablebroth.

Mixacidicjuices(orangeandtomato)withwaterforyourstomach'ssake.

Avoidcaffeinateddrinks.Andavoidchewinggumormints,evenifyourbreathisbad.Theystimulatedigestiveactioninyourstomach.

BreakingYourFast

Whenyourdesignatedtimeforfasting is finished,youwillbegintoeatagain.Buthowyoubreakyourfast isextremely importantforyourphysicalandspiritualwellbeing.

STEP6:EndYourFastGradually

Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach anddigestivetractwilllikelyhavenegative,evendangerous,consequences.Tryseveralsmallermealsorsnackseachday.Ifyouendyourfastgradually,thebeneficialphysicalandspiritualeffectswillresultincontinuedgoodhealth.

Herearesomesuggestionstohelpyouendyourfastproperly:

Breakanextendedwaterfastwithfruitsuchaswatermelon.

Whilecontinuingtodrinkfruitorvegetablejuices,addthefollowing:

Firstday:Addarawsalad.

Secondday:Addbakedorboiledpotato,nobutterorseasoning.

Thirdday:Addasteamedvegetable.

Thereafter:Begintoreintroduceyournormaldiet.

Graduallyreturntoregulareatingwithseveralsmallsnacksduringthefirstfewdays.Startwithalittlesoupandfreshfruitsuchaswatermelonandcantaloupe.Advancetoafewtablespoonsofsolidfoodssuchasrawfruitsandvegetablesorarawsaladandbakedpotato.

STEP7:ExpectResults

IfyousincerelyhumbleyourselfbeforetheLord,repent,pray,andseekGod'sface; ifyouconsistentlymeditateonHisWord,youwillexperienceaheightenedawarenessofHispresence(John14:21).TheLordwillgiveyoufresh,newspiritualinsights.YourconfidenceandfaithinGodwillbestrengthened.Youwillfeelmentally,spiritually,andphysicallyrefreshed.Youwillseeanswerstoyourprayers.

Asinglefast,however,isnotaspiritualcureall.JustasweneedfreshinfillingsoftheHolySpiritdaily,wealsoneednewtimesoffastingbeforeGod.A24hourfasteachweekhasbeengreatlyrewardingtomanyChristians.

Ittakestimetobuildyourspiritualfastingmuscles. Ifyoufailtomakeitthroughyourfirstfast,donotbediscouraged.Youmayhavetriedtofasttoolongthefirsttimeout,oryourmayneedtostrengthenyourunderstandingandresolve.Assoonaspossible,undertakeanotherfastuntilyoudosucceed.Godwillhonoryouforyourfaithfulness.

Iencourageyoutojoinmeinfastingandprayeragainandagainuntilwetrulyexperiencerevivalinourhomes,ourchurches,ourbelovednation,andthroughouttheworld.

Acknowledgments:BillBright,CampusCrusadeForChristInternationalhttp://www.ccci.org/trainingandgrowth.aspx

HowtoExperienceandMaintainPersonalRenewal

1. AsktheHolySpirittorevealanyunconfessedsininyourlife.

2. Seekforgivenessfromallwhomyouhaveoffended,andforgiveallwhohavehurtyou.MakerestitutionwhereGodleads.

3. InvitetheHolySpirittosearchyourheartandreceiveGodsmercytowardsyou.(Psalm66:1820)

4. AsktheHolySpirittoguardyourwalkagainstcomplacencyandmediocrity.

5. PraiseandgivethankstoGodcontinuallyinallwaysonalldays,regardlessofyourcircumstances.

6. Refusetoobeyyourcarnal(worldy)nature(Galatians5:16,17).

7. SurrenderyourlifetoJesusChristasyourSaviorandLord.DeveloputterdependenceonHimwithtotalsubmissionandhumility.

8. StudytheattributesofGod.

9. Hungerandthirstafterrighteousness(Matthew5:6).

10. LoveGodwithallofyourheart,soul,andmind(Matthew22:37).

11. AppropriatethecontinualfullnessandcontroloftheHolySpiritbyfaithonthebasisofGod'scommand(Ephesians5:18)andpromise(1John5:14,15).

12. Read,study,meditateon,andmemorizeGod'sholy,inspired,inerrantWorddaily(Colossians3:16).

13. Praywithoutceasing(1Thessalonians5:17).

14. Fastandprayone24hourperiodeachweek.

15. SeektoshareChristdailyasawayoflife.

16. Determinetoliveaholy,godlylifeofobedienceandfaith.

17. StartorjoinahomeorchurchBiblestudygroupthatemphasizesrevivalandaholylife.

SixVitalQuestionsAboutPrayerQ:WhatIsPrayer?Simplyput,prayeriscommunicatingwithGod.RealprayerisexpressingourdevotiontoourheavenlyFather,invitingHimtotalktousaswetalktoHim.

Q:WhoCanPray?Anyonecanpray,butonlythosewhowalkinfaithandobediencetoChristcanexpecttoreceiveanswerstotheirprayers.ContactwithGodbeginswhenwereceiveJesusintoourlivesasSaviorandLord(John14:6).Prayingwithacleanheartisalsovitaltosuccessfulprayer.WecannotexpectGodtoanswerourprayersifthereisanyunconfessedsininourlifeorifweareharboringanunforgivingspirit(Psalm66:18;Mark11:25).ForGodtoanswerourprayers,wemusthaveabelievingheartandaskaccordingtoHiswill(Matthew9:29;21:22;1John5:14,15).

Q:WhyAreWetoPray?God'sWordcommandsustopray(Luke18:1;Acts6:4;Mark14:38;Philippians4:6;Colossians4:2;1Timothy2:1,2).WepraytohavefellowshipwithGod,receivespiritualnurtureandstrengthto liveavictorious life,andmaintainboldnessforavitalwitnessforChrist.PrayerreleasesGod'sgreatpowertochangethecourseofnature,people,andnations.

Q:ToWhomDoWePray?WepraytotheFatherinthenameoftheLordJesusChristthroughtheministryoftheHolySpirit.whenwepraytotheFather,ourprayersareacceptedbyJesusChristandinterpretedtoGodtheFatherbytheHolySpirit(Romans8:26,27,34).

Q:WhenShouldWePray?God'sWord commands us to "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).We can be in prayer throughout the day, expressing and demonstrating ourdevotiontoGodaswegoaboutourdailytasks.Itisnotalwaysnecessarytobeonourknees,oreveninaquietroomtopray.GodwantsustobeintouchwithHimconstantlywhereverweare.Wecanprayinthecar,whilewashingthedishes,orwhilewalkingdownthestreet.

Q:WhatShouldWeIncludeinOurPrayers?Although prayer cannot be reduced to a formula, certain basic elements should be included in our communicationwith God:Adoration, Confession,Thanksgiving,Supplication(ACTS).AAdorationToadoreGodistoworshipandpraiseHim,tohonorandexaltHiminourheartandmindandwithourlips.CConfessionWhenourdisciplineofprayerbeginswithadoration,theHolySpirithasopportunitytorevealanysininourlifethatneedstobeconfessed.TThanksgivingAnattitudeofthanksgivingtoGod,forwhoHeisandforthebenefitsweenjoybecausewebelongtoHim,enablesustorecognizethatHecontrolsallthingsnotjusttheblessings,buttheproblemsandadversitiesaswell.AsweapproachGodwithathankfulheart,Hebecomesstrongonourbehalf.SSupplicationSupplication includes petition for our own needs and intercession for others. Pray that your inner personmay be renewed, always sensitive to andempoweredbytheHolySpirit.Prayforothersyourspouse,yourchildren,yourparents,neighbors,andfriends;ournationandthoseinauthorityoverus.Prayforthesalvationofsouls,foradailyopportunitytointroduceotherstoChristandtotheministryoftheHolySpirit,andforthefulfillmentoftheGreatCommission.