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Most of the time, we start a new year with an idea of starting over or resetting our lives. Whether changing our diets, our habits or maybe an outlook on life. The problem with starting over or resetting ourselves or trying to change, we typically find our way back to the old self again. Many start a new year with a resolution but typically stop trying after the first 14 days.
When we reset ourselves or “start over” our minds go back to what we know, to a place and time in our lives that we either have experienced or fantasized about going in order to change our behavior. But could it be, when we “start over” we actually set ourselves up to fail into the same traps in the same timeline that brought you to the place that led you to want to start over? What we really need is a Fresh Start. Start your 21 day journey January 1, 2021! 21 Day ResourcesAdditional Resources |
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Why Fast?
Jesus taught his disciples to engage in spiritual practices that can help us make room for God in our lives. That’s why we are inviting everyone to join us from January 6th – January 26th for 21 Days of prayer and fasting. Great leaders in the Bible fasted and prayed routinely, including Moses, David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples. We are hoping and praying for God to do tremendous things in our lives, but first we must make room for Him to work in us.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus addresses fasting when he tells the disciples, “When you fast…”. Notice Jesus says “when” not “if.” Jesus assumes that we will fast. Though fasting is assumed, it is not required. We don’t have to fast. We get to fast. Like all intentional spiritual practices, fasting should not be legalistic – we are not earning approval from God through fasting.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus addresses fasting when he tells the disciples, “When you fast…”. Notice Jesus says “when” not “if.” Jesus assumes that we will fast. Though fasting is assumed, it is not required. We don’t have to fast. We get to fast. Like all intentional spiritual practices, fasting should not be legalistic – we are not earning approval from God through fasting.
Types of Fasts
- 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 your circumstances prevent you from fasting from food, you 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.