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2020 Fasting Guidelines

Agape is beginning the New Year with a corporate fast every Wednesday in January, sunrise to sundown. Those who would like to participate in a full 21-day fast are more than welcome. In accordance with our 2019 theme we are seeking God’s face and offering our whole hearts to Him so that we do not hinder anything He wants to do in our lives. As you fast and pray each day be mindful of what you are believing God for, and be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Consider what you watch or listen to; perhaps keep a fasting journal to record what God reveals to you. We encourage everyone to participate in the spirit of unity. Please prayerfully choose your level of participation considering your individual circumstances. Even children can participate by deciding to give up chips, sweets and fried foods, or sodas and juices in favor of water.

Below are the types of fast you may choose:

Full Fast Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).

The Daniel Fast includes water, juice, fruits and vegetables. Excludes meat, sweets and bread. 3-Day Fast This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.

Partial Fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or sun up to sundown. You can select from a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food. You may also consider a combination of the fasts during the 21 days. Make a commitment and ask the Lord each day to help you stick to it. Fasting is to be a part of our Christian lifestyle.

Additional Resources: The Power of Prayer and Fasting by Marilyn Hickey Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer and 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer by Cru.org (Formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ)

Corporate Fast Theme: SYNERGIZE: I AM, WE ARE.

• Fast Length & Period
  • Continuous fast period if desired for 21 days (Jan 6 – Jan 27)

• Fast Directions
  • Daniel Fast
    • Fruits & vegetables
    • Whole grains
    • Legumes (beans, lentils, etc.)
    • Nuts and seeds
    • Oils
    • Water

• NOTE:  If you have any special conditions or diseases, feel free to modify the list above and sacrifice a select food group unto God (i.e. sweets, bread, etc.) for the fasting period.  Also, you can consider only fasting from one meal per day or fast from sun up to sun down each day.  In the end, it’s about your sacrifice unto God!

• Fasting Ideas for Children / Teens
  • Consider sacrificing any of the following items for Christ:
    • Eating any of the following:  snacks / candy / desserts
    • Drinking soda and/or sugary drinks
    • Texting
    • Watching TV
    • Social Media

• 10 Benefits of Fasting
  1. Draws you closer to God
  2. Gain greater clarity from God on your purpose or key decisions you need to make in your life
  3. Gain a deeper, higher level of praise
  4. Increase your sensitivity to hearing God’s voice
  5. Cleanse the body and soul
  6. Achieve great health benefits:  Helps lower blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and helps normalize insulin sensitivity
  7. Helps slow down the aging process
  8. Helps reduce ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels
  9. Aids in weight loss
  10. Gain a new satisfaction — increased energy level and overall personal renewal

Agape General Fasting Guidelines (Daniel 1:12-20)

Please note the following scriptures: (2 Chronicles 7:14) and (Joel 2:12,13). Spirit of Fasting (Isa. 58:5-7) Fasting to God (Zech. 7:5,6; Matt. 6:17,18)

Purpose of Fasting

• To Chasten the Soul (Ps. 69:10)
• To Humble the Soul (Ezra 8:21)
• To Seek the Lord (2 Chron. 20:3,4)
• To Prepare for Spiritual Warfare (Matt:17:21)

When to Fast

• When Facing the Judgment of God (1 Kings 21:27; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:12; John. 3:4,5)
• During Periods of National Mourning (1 Sam. 31:11-13; 2 Sam. 1:12; 2 Sam. 3:35; 1 Chron. 10:11,12)
• When Communion with Christ Is Broken (Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:19,20; Luke 5:34,35)
• When Concerned for the Welfare of Others (Ps. 35:13)
• When Challenged by Personal Concerns (2 Sam. 12:15-17; 2 Sam. 12:21-23)
• When Facing Danger (2 Chron. 20:2,3; Ezra 8:21-23; Esther 4:15,16)
• When Engaged in Spiritual Warfare (Mark 17:21; Mark 9:29)
• When Ordaining Ministers of the Gospel (Acts 13:2,3; Acts 14:23)

Fasting Accompanied by

• Abstinence from Sexual Relationships (1 Cor. 7:5)
• Confession of Sin (1 Sam. 7:6; Neh. 9:1-3)
• Humiliation (Deut. 9:18; Ps. 35:13; Ps. 69:10; 1 Kings 21:27; Neh. 9:1)
• Lamenting (Esther 9:30,31)
• Mourning (2 Sam. 1:12; 1 Kings 21:27; Esther 4:3; Neh. 1:4; Joel 2:12; Ezra 10:6)
• Personal Demeanor (Matt 6:17)
• Prayer (Ezra 8:23; Neh. 1:4; Ps. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Luke 5:33)
• Reading the Scriptures (Neh. 9:1-3; Jer. 36:6; Jer. 36:10)
• Weeping (2 Sam. 1:12; Neh. 1:4; Esther 4:3; Ps. 69:10; Joel 2:12)
• Worship (Neh. 9:1-3)

Promised Blessings Associated with Fasting

• Answered Prayer, Insight and Restoration (Isa. 58:9-12)
• Joy, Gladness and Cheerfulness (Zech. 8:19)
• Rewarded by God the Father (Matt. 6:17,18)
• Spiritual Power over Demons (Mark 9:29)
• Effects of Fasting (1 Kings 21:28,29; Ps. 109:24; Matt.15:32; Mark 8:2,3)

Morning Prayer with Pastor Larry

Prayer requests submitted by 6am will be prayed for on that day’s prayer call and anonymous requests are acceptable. Dial-in Number: 641-715-3606 Conference Code: 119714 Monday – Friday, 6:30 am Please note: long distance charges may apply depending on your carrier.

March 2020 Prayer Directives

• Focus on Issues in the World
  • The Coronavirus- We pray Psalm 91 over America and every believer
  • We lift up every country where the virus is and everyone who has contacted the virus;  praying for healing and complete  recovery
  • USA- the President and Vice president who make decisions as to how to handle the virus situation.
  • We pray for a cure.
  • The Middle East, against war, conflict and hatred.

• The Families impacted by the Tornado in Nashville, Tennessee
  • A dwelling place until their homes are restored.
  • Favor with FEMA officials and insurance companies.
  • We lift in payer  those who lost family members.
  • Devastation in other area of our country and around the world.

• Upcoming Presidential Election in the USA
  • The right candidate.
  • A godly individual.
  • A person given to prayer.
  • A person who will sow seeds of unity, not discord.

•  Immigrants who are at the Borders of America and being abused.
•  Teens and Young Adults – Lord Send a Revival.
• College Students who are in overwhelming debt due to school loans.
• Mental Illness and Depression that is plaguing our society.
• Children and infants who are abused and misused 
• Against Human trafficking.
• Those who have lost loved ones.
• Against sickness and disease.

Prayer Still Works!

Prayer for a Harmonious Marriage

Father, in the Name of Jesus, it is written in Your Word that Your love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Who is given to us. Because You are in us, we acknowledge that love reigns supreme. We believe that love is displayed in full expression enfolding and knitting us together in truth, making us perfect for every good work to do Your will, working in us that which is pleasing in Your sight. We live and conduct our marriage and ourselves honorably and becomingly. We esteem it as precious, worthy, and of great price. We commit ourselves to live in mutual harmony and accord with one another delighting in each other, being of the same mind and united in spirit. Father, we believe and say that we are gentle, compassionate, courteous, tenderhearted, and humble-minded. We seek peace, and it keeps our hearts in quietness and assurance. Because we follow after love and dwell in peace, our prayers are not hindered in any way, in the Name of Jesus. We are heirs together of the grace of God. Our marriage grows stronger day by day in the bond of unity because it is founded on Your Word and rooted and grounded in Your love. We decree this day; we have a marriage made in heaven! Father, we thank You for the performance of it, in Jesus’ Name.

Scripture References:

Romans 5:5
Philippians 1:9
Colossians 3:14
Colossians 1:10
Philippians 2:13
Philippians 2:2
Ephesians 4:32
Isaiah 32:17
Philippians 4:7
1 Peter 3:7
Ephesians 3:17,18
Jeremiah 1:12