What is the focus of this fast? The focus of this fast is to pray according to God’s word for the three areas stated below. You are also encouraged to add your own individual and/ or family prayer needs as you seek the Lord.

The Church (internal) Ø Leadership – Pastor, Ministers, Deacons,

Officers to remain faithful, humble, connected to Christ, and lead by the Holy Spirit

Ø Spiritual Growth – more people being intentional about discipleship, increased prayer, experiencing the “much more” of/ with the Holy Spirit

Ø Numerical Growth of the congregation through salvation and baptisms

Ø Vision – Enrichment center, pending purchases, projects to make greater impact in community, and expand the footprint of the ministry

Ø Academy – revenue development, increased enrollment, future plans, outreach to families

Ø Members & Family – spouses, children, grandchildren for mental-health, salvation, wellness

Ø Finances – employment for members, increased giving, stronger stewardship

The Community (local) Ø Schools – protection from violence, wisdom for

teachers, students to form prayer groups Ø Drug Concerns/ legalization – dealers/ drug

deals to be uncovered and drug spots to close Ø Civic and Community Engagement Ø Human Trafficking/ Abuse – people/places that

practice, promote or recruit to be uncovered, stopped, and redeemed for godly purposes

Ø Civic Leaders – District Councilman, State Senator for our District, State Speaker/ District Assemblyman, Community Council, Clergy Coalition members (pastors and police officers)

Ø Other

The Country (national) Ø Current Administration – president, cabinet,

Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court decisions (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Ø National Social Climate – Global Health Crisis, gun violence, health disparities, injustice, spiritual & moral apathy (Isaiah 58)

Daniel Diet & Partial Vegetarian Food List

The Daniel Vegetarian ¨ All fruit – fresh, frozen, dried, fresh juiced

or blended (with no added sweeteners, syrups, or dairy products)

¨ All vegetables – fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, blended (with no added sweeteners, syrups, or dairy products)

¨ Beverages – water, filtered water, spring water (lemons and fresh fruit can be added to water).

The Daniel Partial Vegetarian In addition to the above, you CAN consume: ¨ All whole grains – amaranth, barley, brown

rice, oats, quinoa, millet, and whole wheat ¨ All nuts & seeds – almonds, cashews,

macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. All-natural nut butters are also included.

¨ All legumes – black beans, black eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), butter beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans, and split peas, etc. (avoid using these products from cans as they have preservatives)

¨ Quality oils – avocado, coconut, grape seed, olive, peanut, sesame, walnut.

¨ Baked vegetables including baked chips, potato cuts (watch ingredients)

¨ Other – unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, or soy milk; fresh or dried herbs, spices, salt, pepper, unsweetened coconut flakes, soy products, tofu

¨ Protein Option: Fresh Fish (not shellfish) – you may choose to consume unprocessed fish. Avoid gravy/ watch sauce ingredients.

Foods to avoid on Daniel & Vegetarian Fast

¨ Meat, shellfish, & animal products ¨ All dairy, sweeteners, alcohol ¨ All refined & processed foods ¨ All leavened bread & yeast ¨ All deep-fried foods, solid fats ¨ Alcohol, sodas, sugary/caffeine drinks

FASTING TIPS (from various sources) STEP 1: Prepare Yourself Spiritually The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance and seeking God. Therefore: Ø Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an

expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Ø Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as

your Lord. (Romans 12:1-2). Ø Confess sin and accept God's forgiveness (1

John 1:9). Ø Seek forgiveness from those you have

offended. Forgive person(s) who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3, 4).

Ø Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 5:14, 15).

Ø Meditate on the attributes of God. His holiness, love, power, wisdom, compassion, (Leviticus 11:44; Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-13).

Ø You may encounter spiritual opposition (Matthew 4:1-11; Galatians 5:16, 17).

STEP 2: Prepare Yourself Physically Ø You can prepare your body by eating smaller

meals, raw fruits and vegetables before a fast. Ø If you are on medication(s), or have certain

health conditions, ask your doctor how you can fast. Follow his or her instructions.

Ø While You Fast: o Exercise only moderately during a fast. o Rest as much as your schedule permits. o You may experience temporary

impatience or crankiness. o Expect some physical discomforts,

especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, caffeine withdrawal and sugar cravings.

o The first two or three days are usually the hardest. Should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

STEP 3: Put Yourself on a Daily Schedule Include prayer & Bible reading times, missed meals, vegetarian substitutes, small group meetings. STEP 4: End Your Fast Gradually Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end gradually it will be beneficial.

Wake-Eden Community Baptist Church

2074 Strang Avenue | Bronx, NY 10466 Rev. Frank Williams, Senior Pastor

March 14 - April 3, 2021 ________

Corporate Prayer & Fasting Guide 2.0

(718) 325-8056 churchmail@wakeeden.org

www.wakeeden.org

This guide is also available for download at wakeeden.org

What is Fasting? Fasting is abstaining from food and beverages, or to limit one’s intake of food for a designated period of time. Modern variations on fasting practices have been broadened to include abstaining from distracting or spiritually dulling activities, habits, and routines, such as: watching certain television programs, non-work-related access to social media and the Internet, and other digital or in person forms of entertainment. Why should we fast? Jesus commends fasting as a practice for his followers and gives instruction concerning grooming and appearance during times of fasting. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18) The purpose of fasting from food, and other variations thereof, is to make time for additional prayer, Bible reading, and reflection. We fast as a means of seeking the Lord concerning specific issues (2 Samuel 12:16; Ezra 8:21-23), deliverance from strongholds and/ or illnesses (Matthew 17:20-21), wisdom and clarity for pending decisions (Judges 20:26-28; Acts 13:3), interceding for others (Nehemiah 1:4-11), waiting expectantly for answers to prayer (Daniel 10), and/ or

repentance from personal, communal, or national sins (1 Samuel 7:5-6). Ultimately, fasting is for the purpose of deepening one’s fellowship with God, and focusing more intently and purposefully on spiritual formation. God rewards this (Hebrews 11:6). What are some types of fasting? Below are some approaches to fasting.

Daniel Diet Approach: 1. Full Vegan – Daniel 1:8-16

¨ Only vegetables and fruits (regular, juiced, or blended)

¨ Water (lemons or other fruit can be added; no sweeteners or flavors added)

2. Partial Vegetarian – Daniel 10:2-3 ¨ Water (lemons or other fruit can be

added; no sweeteners or flavors added) ¨ Vegetables, fruits, nuts, unrefined

whole grain food produced from the earth

¨ No savory or rich foods (sweets, cakes, pies, candy, sugar products)

¨ No meat (beef, pork, poultry, lamb) ¨ No alcohol (all non-medicinal forms

and purposes)

Total Fasts: ¨ No Food (water permitted) – Luke 4:1-

2 (not usually advised for a 21 day fast) ¨ No food or water – Exodus 34:28-29;

Acts 9:9 (not advised for a 21 day fast) ¨ No meals until after a set time each day

- ex: not eating until after 3pm daily or from sunrise to sunset (6am to 6pm).

SEE BACK FOR FOOD LIST & FOODS TO AVOID IF USING THE DANIEL DIET.

Other Variations: ¨ Skipping One meal per day and using

that time for prayer and reflection ¨ In addition to a food fast, abstaining

from all non-work related and non-spiritually uplifting entertainment (TV, movies, electronics, social media, etc.)

Married Couples Fasting with Abstinence:

1. Select one of the food fasts above 2. Additionally, couples may consent

together to abstain from intercourse during the fast – 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

3. Praying at least once per day together 4. Scripture reading plan together, such as

“Daily Bible Reading” or a devotional During this 21-day fast you must choose one of or a combination of fasting types. Here is an example of a combination fast: You may choose to implement the Daniel Partial Vegetarian Fast along with the Skipping One Meal per day approach and spending time in prayer and Bible reading. Children and Fasting and Prayer Children can be involved during these 21 days of fasting and prayer. Help them to give up products that are of no nutritional value - sweets, candy, products high in saturated fat, or with artificial ingredients. Parents will have to structure this for their children at home, as school meals are otherwise regulated. For children, this can also include limiting or eliminating non-school related screen time (video games, television, movies, digital devices), and encouraging more reading of books, reading the Bible together as a family.

Increased prayer with your child/ children is strongly encouraged.

Precautions when Fasting, consult a doctor Persons on medications, with certain health conditions, or who are pregnant should consult their doctor and follow his/her instructions on what type(s) of fasting is permissible for them. You may share this brochure with your doctor.

Corporate and Small Group Activities are strongly encouraged during the fast.

These online/ telephonic activities are as follows:

Ø Regular attendance to Sunday worship. Ø Plan on participating in Prayer and/ or

Bible study, such as: Monday Night Prayer (7:00PM); Tuesday evening Bible Study (7:30PM); Wednesday morning Bible Study (10:00AM); Saturday morning Bible Study (9:00AM); weekday 5:00AM prayer call; and Men can join the Men’s Resolution Hour on Mondays at 9:00PM

Ø Prayer Calls and Bible Studies are on (605) 313-4821 Code: 131404

Ø Wednesday Night Study at 8:30PM (Zoom)

Ø Bible Hour (various times). For information on times and how to connect please call 718 325-8056 or email: churchmail@wakeeden.org

Ø Connect with a Small Group within your Deacon’s Cell.

Ø Follow a Daily Bible Reading Plan and/ or Devotional.

Ø Invite friends and family to church online.

21 Days of Corporate Prayer and Fasting “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23