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FEBRUARY 2023
FASTING GUIDELINES
FOCAL SCRIPTURE
“And Jesus said… ‘Father, just as You are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be ONE as
We are ONE — I in them and You in Me — so that they may be brought to COMPLETE UNITY.
Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. John 17:21-23
FAST STARTS: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 AT 6:00 AM
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FAST ENDS: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 6:00 PM
WHY WE FAST.
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To invite the presence of God and to make ourselves available to God for the prospering of our lives, the lives of others, our families, our local communities, and see His will and results manifest according to Isaiah 58:
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Answered prayers
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Continual guidance
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Contentment
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Healing and Wholeness
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Raising up of future generations
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Refreshing
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Restoration
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Revelation
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Righteousness
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Strength/Power
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The Presence of God’s Shekinah glory
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Work that endures (like an ever flowing spring)
2. To satisfy/fulfill an “absence” of Christ in our lives and for greater clarity.
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Wherever there is an absence of Christ in our lives (i.e.: personal struggles, needed growth, lack of discipline) we fast so that God’s strength, power and glory can come into our lives and fill those empty places or areas of struggle within us. (Mark 2:19)
3. To be strengthened toward Repentance/Overcoming, Healing, Deliverance and Salvation
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This is the promise of God: 1) As we choose to refuse to follow patterns in our lives that are unhealthy; and, 2) Seek Him to satisfy “what’s missing” in our souls; 3) GOD WILL bring healing to our dis-eases, deliver us from what keeps us from getting closer to Him and rescue us from darkness in our lives, bringing us into His Light.
EXPECTATIONS.
God has called our Church Family to a Corporate Fast. VESSELS OF HONOR MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL FASTS AS A CHURCH BODY WHEN GOD DECLARES THE FAST. When the Church fasts corporately, everyone is expected to engage in the same fasting guidelines, notwithstanding medical requirements or limitations.** Our unity in fasting on one accord produces God’s will and miraculous results!
Fasting Requirements:
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Pray for focal scripture.
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Follow corporate fasting and consecration regimen as outlined.
If I have never done this before, how do I do this?
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Read and meditate on the fasting scriptures daily. (i.e.: Isaiah 58)
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If you find yourself getting overly hungry take a moment to go pray, call someone for support or read scripture to refocus. If you still find yourself struggling after praying and reading, take a teaspoon of honey (which will often cause the feelings of hunger to subside).
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If you continue to feel challenged in the area of eating, take communion (unleavened bread and juice) and ask Christ to come in and have fellowship with your challenge. You will find it amazing how God will strengthen you!
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Fasting preparations and best-practices:
What about my children? Can they fast also?
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While we do not recommend children engaging in the full requirements of the fast due to nutritional concerns, we do support parents encouraging their children to participate in some facet of our corporate time of seeking the Lord through consecration.
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Some suggestions would be that they have only water as their beverage or removing sweets and sugars from their diet during consecration as opposed to the other available options, throughout the week. This is a great learning tool and encourages them to develop their own intimate relationship with the Lord.
Our Story
FASTING PARAMETERS.
FASTING DATES (throughout the duration of this range, we will fast):
Starts: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Ends: Tuesday, February, 28, 2023
PARAMETERS (Corporate guidelines for all participants):
From 6a - 6p DAILY - Fasting food options may be eaten from 6 am - 6 pm.
After 6p DAILY - LIQUIDS ONLY. Water, teas, plant-based milks, or juices may be consumed.
***PLEASE NOT: For all health conditions and dietary modifications, please consult your physician to making such changes to your dietary and/or medical regimen.
Fasting conditions to be followed throughout the duration of the fast:
NOT ALLOWED DURING CORPORATE FAST:
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No processed sugars of any kind (candy, desserts, sodas, etc.)
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No entertainment (i.e.: TV, movies, secular radio)
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No red meats, poultry (fowl), pork, venison, lamb, etc.
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No fried foods or pastas
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No caffeine (i.e.: coffee/decaf coffee, caffeinated teas, chocolate, etc.)
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No use of drugs or stimulants of any kind
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No use of artificial sweeteners i.e.: Splenda, Equal, Sweet-N-Low, etc.
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No agave/blue agave syrup
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ALLOWED DURING FAST FROM 6 AM - 6PM
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Natural sweeteners: honey, molasses, monk fruit, (no agave)
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Lots and lots of water!
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Only 2 animal protein sources: Fish (not seafood) and eggs
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Plant-based milks
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Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, Legumes, nuts (natural/whole, unprocessed)
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Vegan protein shakes (natural flavors i.e.: fruit flavors, vanilla)
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100% fruit juices/s, herbal teas(caffeine-free
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ALLOWED AFTER 6 PM
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Natural sugars allowable (i.e.: honey, molasses, fruits, juices)
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Lots and lots of water!
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Plant-based milks
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Vegan protein shakes (natural flavors i.e.: fruit flavors, vanilla)
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100% fruit juices/s, herbal teas(caffeine-free)
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***NO FASTING FOODS WILL BE EATEN AFTER 6 PM EVERY DAY***
ATTN: PRAYER LAB PARTICIPANTS
You will continue to maintain the fasting tier based upon the class requirement/selections. HOWEVER, so that we are in submission to the
guidelines for our church fast, we too will not eat after 6:00 PM.
(Beginning Feb. 1st thru Feb. 28th, 2023)