January 5-26, 2020
Update 8/29/2022: You can start a 21-Day fast at any time. While this has long since passed, we are leaving the resources for those who wish to fast. Since this is no longer active, if you have any questions, contact us at info@greenvalley.church
Why fast? What kind of fast should I do?
OUR GOAL IS TO GROW OUR HUNGER FOR GOD
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’”
— MATTHEW 4:4.
WHAT IS FASTING?
Biblical Fasting is refraining from food for the purpose of greater spiritual focus. Biblical Fasting means saying “no” to food in order to say a bigger “yes” to seeking God.
YES to Prayer - prayer and fasting go hand in hand. Through fasting you will become more aware of God’s Presence. The hunger in your body will remind you of the hunger in your soul, which can easily be turned into prayer.
YES to Scripture - during your fast you’ll be reading through the Bible. While fasting, God’s Word will speak with powerful clarity to your heart and journey. Time normally spent on food, can easily be turned into time feeding your soul with the Scriptures.
YES to Nudges - fasting sensitizes you to God’s presence and God’s voice. As you fast you will become alert to God’s nudges and promptings to obey Him in the moment. The more you respond, the greater God’s leading, the more amazing your experience.
WHY FAST?
According to Jesus, Christian spirituality involves a lifestyle of prayer, giving, and fasting. In the “Sermon on the Mount” He taught His followers, “When you pray (Matt 6:5)...when you give (Matt 6:2)... when you fast (Matt 6:16).”
Jesus Christ fasted in preparation for being used by God: the same necessity holds true for His followers. (Luke 4:1-15) The work of God can only be done by the power of God.
For God to do something big THROUGH you, He must first do something big IN you. God uses times of fasting to do His deepest work in our lives.
Fasting can be done individually (as Jesus mentioned in Matthew 6:16-18) or corporately (Joel 2:15, 2 Chronicles 20:3).
GREEN VALLEY FAST OPTIONS
Daytime Fast - eat after sundown and before sunup
Absolute Fast is recommended for experienced fasters only and under a doctors supervision
Juice Fast with fruits and vegetables
SKIP A MEAL FAST - we suggest to skip a meal that you always have. Lunch is a popular choice. Make sure to replace this time with prayer.
DAYTIME FAST - this fast is perfect for those brand-new to fasting. It involves refraining from food from sunup to sundown. Food is only eaten moderately after sundown each day.
DANIEL FAST - this fast is great for beginners and involves a limited diet of only simple foods. It follows the Biblical example of Daniel in the Old Testament (here’s a good introduction - What Is The Daniel Fast.)
JUICE FAST - this moderate fast involves taking in only fruit and vegetable juices and water for the full 21 days. You can research various types of juice fasts and choose one you like.
Whichever fast you choose, remember to drink plenty of water!
IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS, CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING.
We encourage you to spiritually connect during this fast by following our Daily Bible Study guide.