2016 NEW YEAR’S FAST
(Download the New Year’s Fast Brochure)
Beginning Saturday, January 2, 2016 to conclude on Saturday, January 16, 2016
Fasting is a means of humbling ourselves before God, letting Him know that we are willing to sacrifice things that we enjoy to be drawn closer to “Him.” As a spiritual discipline, fasting is the act of abstaining from feeding the body in order to focus more fully on seeking His face and feeding the spirit. This is a powerful discipline whereby God’s spirit is poured out upon us as we earnestly seek Him.
So many of us abstain from food, but forget our purpose is to develop a more focused prayer life and have intimacy with Jesus. When we fast, we should never fast to impress others or for selfish reasons. Fasting should be viewed as a precious opportunity to get closer to the Lord and not be distracted by the daily concern of eating.
Fasting and prayer causes one to become much more spiritually sensitive and thereby able to combat the forces of Satan. Fasting breaks the bands of wickedness; it causes the oppressed to go free; and it brings deliverance. Through fasting and prayer, we can experience God’s presence in our lives, that we can overcome our own lusts and live a holy and pure life which is pleasing to “HIM”!
“Developing Disciples For Excellence” Philippians 3:14
Read The Scriptures daily for edification and strength.
Listed below are the Scriptures which will encourage us during this season of fasting and prayer.
January 2nd—Philippians 3:14
January 3rd—Proverbs 3:5,6
January 4th—John 1:1-14
January 5th—John 11:25,26
January 6th—Acts 2:1-13
January 7th—Acts 4:33
January 8th—Romans 1:16,17
January 9th—Romans 12:1-8
January 10th—Act 9:1-17
January 11th—Act 10:9-23
January 12th—Luke 5:17-20
January 13th—Philippians 1:1-6
January 14th—Matthews—7:17-25
January 15th—Psalms 27:1-10
January 16th—Luke 2:1-14
Listed below are some actions steps to “Develop Disciples For Excellence”
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:4 & 17:3-4).
Meditate on the attributes of God, His Love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion and others (Psalms 48:9-10, 103:1-8, 11-13).
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
Do Not Underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5;16,17).
Spend Time With The Master. Start the day sitting quietly to hear from the Lord, don’t talk, meditate and pray in the spirit. Listen quietly to discern His plans and purposes for your life each day.
Pay In Faith. After you’ve been still and quiet for a period, now you’re ready to talk to Him. Believe “He” hears your prayer and will answer according to “His” will. Don’t pray generic prayers or rote prayers. Pray specifically for the people, concerns and circumstances of this day, while trusting that the God who sits high, yet looks low, hears your concerns.
Live In The Word. Daily read scriptures. Ask God to give you divine revelation, insight and a Rhema word for this day. Memorize a scripture each day and begin apply it to your life, that this “Word” might become flesh and dwell among the people.
Fellowship With Believers. Reinforce your walk with the Lord by daily interacting with fellow believers (visits, telephone calls, internet, etc.) Sometimes you have to encourage them, sometimes they will encourage you. Together you strengthen and edify each other in your daily pilgrimage.