GTBC Fasting Fact Sheet 2012
Rev. Jeffrey M. Crenshaw, Pastor
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Sis. Patricia Wilson, CEM
CONSECRATION, FASTING AND PRAYER 2012
DATE:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST – SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH 2012
TIME PERIOD:
6AM – 6PM (Begin and End your Daily Fasting with Prayer)
SUGGESTED SCRIPTURES FOR STUDY & MEDITATION:
Isaiah 58
(Fasting That Pleases God)
Matthew 6:1-18 (Giving, Praying, Fasting God’s Way)
Romans 12:1-2
(Our Bodies as Living Sacrifice – Is My All on the Altar?)
Psalm 19:7-14
(God’s Perfect Word Reveals Our Need for Cleansing)
Psalm 51
(Prayer of Confession & Repentance – Coming Clean with God)
Isaiah 55:1-7
(Seeking the Lord)
2 Cor 6:14-7:1
(Purpose of Cleansing is Perfecting Holiness)
Consider Also:
Psalm 139:23-24
1 John 1:8-9
Colossians 3:1-3
Joshua 1:7-9
Ephesians 6:10-18
(Search and Reveal)
(Soap & Water, God is Faithful to Forgive and Cleanse)
(Focus – Set Your Mind on Things Above)
(Study & Meditate on God’s Word)
(Suit Up for Spiritual Battle)
Everyone is encouraged to join us during this Season of Consecration, Fasting and
Prayer as we prepare to live as God’s people in obedience to His divine instruction found in
His Holy Word.
The type of fast you choose is between you and God. He will honor your best. In
Matthew chapter 6, during the Sermon on the Mount, Christ names three things required of
Christians:
“…when you fast…” (Matthew 6:16).
“…when you pray…”(Matthew 6:5).
“…when you do a charitable deed (give)…”(Matthew 6:2)
Jesus didn’t say “if” you fast, pray or give. He said “when.” Exercise wisdom in all things,
you are encouraged to consult your doctor, especially if you are taking medication.
Fasting shows God that He is #1 in our lives; that we are willing to rely
on His strength—not our own—for deliverance. It teaches us to depend
on Him for everything—strength, help in overcoming sin,
deliverance from trials, and answered prayer.
Note: Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or any
assistance you may need in your walk with the Lord.
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Types of Fasts
REGULAR FAST:
Abstinence from food. Drink liquids only, usually just water
and/or juices
PARTIAL FAST
Emphasis upon
-restriction of diet rather than abstaining completely from
eating (i.e. The Daniel Fast)
-restriction of time (i.e., 6am-6pm)
COMPLETE FAST:
Person refrains from both food and water for an extended
period of time.
Moses (Exodus 34:28); Esther 4:15-16; Ezra 10:6
Note: Should be done upon direct, divine guidance
FASTING Abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose
Matthew 6:16-18; Isaiah 58:1-14
- Voluntary act of abstinence from food, drink, and any other thing that can
distract one from the presence of God for a specified period of time for the purpose of
honoring God, humbling oneself before Him and Spiritual Breakthrough
Prayer and Fasting – Prayer is an integral part of fasting. Fasting involves deep
commitment and sacrifice. Fasting is always accompanied with prayer.
 One can pray without fasting, but one cannot fast without praying.
Restricting one’s food/drink intake without prayer is simply a diet
Note: The discipline/power of fasting has more to do with setting yourself apart for a specific period
of time to focus more on the Lord, His Word, prayer and worship, than with what foods/drink you
refrain from eating
CONSECRATION Preferring God’s will above our own – Yielding & Living in
obedience to His Word. Leviticus 20:7; Romans 12:1-2
-
To voluntarily set oneself apart from evil, turn to the Lord and be prepared to be
used by God
A dedication to serve God wholeheartedly and to be used for His glory
During the period of Consecration – It should not be business as usual. The change in our
lives should be more than just refraining from food, we should also refrain from all activities
and conversations which do not honor God.
MEDITATION Listening to God’s Word, Reflecting on God’s Word, Rehearsing
God’s Deeds, Ruminating On God’s Laws Joshua 1:8, Psalm 63:5-7
Meditate – to contemplate and reflect upon something.
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POSITIONING OURSELVES TO BE USED BY GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING
CLEANSING, PURGING, PURIFYING
Affirmation: Today I start a day of cleansing. Lord I thank you for the revelation of the necessity to
cleanse my temple for a more fulfilled life. I pray that you keep me determined and consistent. I
claim victory over the temptation to quit, give-in, compromise. Today, I shall glorify God in my
body, mind and spirit by yielding my personal desires and wants unto Him.
Purpose:
Fasting has a spiritual purpose, and that purpose is to get my flesh out of the way so
that the Spirit of God can move in my life.
Fasting removes the barriers to communication with God and allows the spirit man to
commune directly with our Heavenly Father – without disturbance. When a person makes a
determination to fast, they are making a determination to remove the obstacles in their life to total
submission to the will of God. Dr. Kingsley A. Fletcher, Prayer & Fasting
CLEANSE
PURGE
PURIFY
To make someone or something thoroughly clean
T o make someone free from sin, free from unpleasantness
To remove something undesirable
To free from guilt or sin
To vomit or use laxatives
To make something pure (getting rid of harmful, unwanted contaminants)
To make someone spiritually pure (free them of sin, guilt or defilement)
The Son of Man came not to dazzle us with His splendor but to purge our sins
 Psalm 51 – key verses 5-7
 Isaiah 1:16-20
 Isaiah 6:1-8
(Note: live coal . . . from the altar symbolizes purification of blood & the fire of the Spirit
that enabled the prophet to speak)
 Ezekiel 36:24-27
(Note: sprinkling clean water on us symbolizes cleansing from sin)
Consider verses16-27 (Ritual of purification from sin would be meaningless apart
from true repentance and the work of the Holy Spirit on our inner spirit man. Here we see
that God would not only restore the people physically to the land, but would restore them
spiritually by giving them a new heart and a new spirit to help them follow Him and to do
His will.
Trials, Suffering, Difficult Circumstances serve to cleanse us and move us closer to
becoming a vessel that God can use. We must allow God to cleanse us even if the process is
painful.
†  †