Suggested Types of Fasting

Schedule*
Type of Fasting Food
(Feb. 1 to Feb. 7)
A Week of
Two Options:

Prayer &
 3 days
Daniel’s No meat;
vegetables  7 days

Fast only
Note: Must consult first with
your Doctor

Two Options:
Fasting
 1 day
 3 days
esther’s No solid
Note:
food
Fast Not recommended to
beginners. Must consult
first with your doctor &
Pastor.

Various Three Options:

1) All 7 days
Fast 2) 3 days
Guidelines
3) One day
a. Skip Meals
b. Skip Technology Skip one
or Pleasure* or two *NOTE: You could Filipino Bible Church
meals change this schedule to
fit your daily activities
3340 Raspberry Road
Note: and work schedule. You Anchorage, Alaska 99515
We recommend the could also change the (907) 243-9407
various fast to all dates if needed. Happy
members for a start. praying & fasting!
Senior Pastor: Valentino P. Natcher
E-mail: valnatcher@yahoo.com
*Skip using cellphone or watching TV or surfing the Internet or
pursuing pleasurable things (ex. movies, games, etc.) 12 12
 Prayer & Fasting Conclusion

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly
food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works
until the three weeks were over.” — Daniel 10:2 within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

“Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders

and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your “Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of the food
God, and cry out to the Lord.” —Joel 1:14 because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in
intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that
Throughout history, God has called on His people to humble you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself
themselves through fasting and prayer. As a spiritual family we to prayer and meditation.”—Wesley Duewel
practice prayer and fasting to deepen our intimacy with God.
Fasting is a spiritual weapon God uses to advance His kingdom,
This “40 Days of Prayer and Fasting” will give us the
move nations, spark revival and ultimately bring victory to the lives
opportunity to realign our lives according to the Lord’s will and
of His people. Prayer and fasting are major disciplines that fulfil
consecrate the rest of the year to Him. As we humble ourselves
the requirements of 2 Chronicles 7:14:
corporately before Him in prayer, we can expect Him to move
mightily in our midst. God’s will is for each and every one of us to
“If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and
experience spiritual breakthrough and victory in our lives. Be in
pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will
faith for God to move miraculously in your life this year beyond
hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” —
what you can ask or imagine. Be expectant and live by faith. Be
2 Chronicles 7:14
ready to accomplish greater things for the glory of God this year
and beyond. God Bless!
If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled. You will discover
more time to pray and seek God’s face. And as He leads you to
recognize and repent of an unconfessed sin, you will experience
special blessings from God.

Fasting is part of the believer’s life of faith in Christ. In a fast, the

believer chooses, for set period of time, to do without something
that is hard to do without.

Biblical fasting is not just “not eating”, but it is abstinence from food
with a spiritual goal in mind. It always occurs together with prayer
in the Bible and is also a form of worship. Luke 2:37 says that
fasting is a way of serving God, while Acts 13:2 says that fasting is
ministering to the Lord.
(NOTE: This material has been adapted from CCF’s Prayer &
Fasting Handbook and was prepared by Pastor Valentino P.
Natcher for Filipino Bible Church’s use only.)

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 Breaking the Fast Prayer & Fasting

Expect greater intimacy with God Dear FBC Family,

If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and As we have done the previous years, FBC will be
seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will spending a period of Prayer & Fasting but this time instead of
experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). just a week, we will undertake “A 40 Days of Prayer &
A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. A 24-hour fast Fasting” together with our monthly “Prayer & Worship
each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes Sunday.” By this, we wish to demonstrate before God and
time to build your spiritual muscles. If you fail to make it through others our total dependence on the Lord our God for
your first fast, do not be discouraged. As soon as possible, everything. We recognize that apart from the Lord, without His
undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you empowerment and grace, we can do nothing. May the Lord
for your faithfulness. Jesus take notice of our hearts’ desire and command His Holy
Spirit to visit again! As we do this, let us all be reminded that
Experience the Joy of God’s Presence “whatever we do, we do all for the glory of our God!” Col.3:17).
Let us bask in the fullness of joy in the Lord as we abide in His
glorious presence. God Bless!
Pastor Val
“Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is
fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”—
Psalm 16:11

When we have denied our flesh, empowered our spirit with prayer,
and solely depend on God for nourishment, there is a joy in the
moment we experience God’s magnificent power.

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 Why Fast? During a Fast

“Let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him.  Praise and worship.
Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father  Confession and Repentance of Sin.
which is in heaven.” -John Wesley
 Read and meditate on God’s Word, preferably on your knees.
God expects us to fast  Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
Matthew 6:16-17-“And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy  Spend time in intercessory prayer (the “JER333” list and your
face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in own prayer list).
order to be seen by fasting men. Truly I say to you, they have their  Take a short spiritual walk.
reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash  If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer.
your face.
Avoid television, computer games, internet entertainment surfing,
Jesus said; “When you fast”, not if you fast. This means that movies, parties or any other distraction that may dampen your
fasting, like prayer, is not an option. Fasting is something that is spiritual focus.
part of the Christian life.
Attend Service and Fellowship
Jesus fasted Make it a goal to be regular in attending all the weekly Celebration
Matthew 4:2- And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, and our Small Group Meetings.
He then became hungry.

Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days. He knew
He was going to need spiritual strength to fulfil His purposes.
Fasting may make us feel physically weak but, actually, it will make
us physically stronger and more prepared to do God’s work. Breaking the Fast

The early Church fasted End your fast gradually

Acts 13:3- Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after
hands on them, they sent them away. (Also see Acts 14:23) your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and
digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous,
The Church fasted for Saul (Paul) and Barnabas whom the Holy consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks. If you end
Spirit had set part for His use. Later, Paul and Barnabas appointed your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will
leaders in various churches and then fasted and prayed before result in continued good health. You may start with fruit, fruit juice,
commending these leaders to the Lord. salads, soup then gradually eat more solid food such as:
vegetables, fish, meat, etc.
Fasting demonstrates humility before God
Psalm 35:13- But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was Continue to pray
sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting; And my prayer kept Don’t let your prayer end on the day you finished the fast. Build
retuning to my bosom. (See also 1 Kings 21:27-29; Ezra 8:21) from the momentum you gained during the fast. Let it transform
your prayer and devotional life. Carry the newfound passion with
you throughout the year.

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 During a Fast Why Fast?
Humility allows us to experience the grace of God, who delights in
answering the prayers of His children. When we humble ourselves
“The greater the satisfaction you experience from God, while still in prayer and turn from our wicked ways, God promises to hear us
in this world, the greater your desire for the next.” – John Piper and answer us according to His perfect will.
Seek the Lord Fasting makes us sensitive to the leading and power of the
Commit to prayer and Bible reading during the times you usually Holy Spirit
allocate for meals. Remain accountable to your small groups, for Luke 4:1-2- And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the
what you don’t eat physically you should compensate for Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty
spiritually. We also encourage you to do other activities that will days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those
enhance your spiritual walk with the Lord. You can spend time days; and when they had ended, He became hungry. (See also
reading a Christian book or watch a Christian movie with other Acts 13:2, Luke 4:1-2, Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29)
believers or attend a Christian seminar or concert.
We are prone to forget our priorities. Fasting is a visible reminder
Commit to change to us that God takes precedence over all our needs. Fasting lifts
Whatever God tells you or puts His finger upon, apply it up the matter at hand to God who is able to bring about awesome
immediately. If you need to make restitution, immediately contact works that bring Him great glory.
people you have broken relationships with. If there are habits that
need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask your Fasting brings about Personal and National spiritual revival
small group leader to hold you accountable. 2 Chronicles 7:14- and My people who are called by My name
humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their
Pray for suggested items wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their in, and
Pray for the items that the church will give to you (“JER333” will heal their land.
Bookmark). But you can also make your own prayer list and other
items as the Spirit leads. Let us use this time to intercede for our Daniel 9:3- So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by
family, for the church, our government, our countries (USA & prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Philippines), etc.
Fasting prompts revival to an individual and to the country. It brings
Saturate your mind with the Word of the Lord forth a stirring that will heal and change us and prepare us for
We must fill our mind with the Word of God and saturate it fully. greater things in God’s kingdom.
Although our body may hunger, our soul must be filled with the
spiritual food that we crave and that is enough to strengthen us to Fasting is good for our Health
deny our flesh. Consider a fast from food as a spiritual feast. Fasting improves our physical condition. Many impurities in the
body are burned up when the body is denied food, thus, clearing
Put yourself on a Schedule the mind, cleansing and healing the body. “Even people who are
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone underweight who fast for spiritual purposes have been known to
with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend gain weight after completing their fasts.” Many Bible teachers say
with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. A suggested plan that a three-day fast is specially beneficial for spiritual cleansing
is as follows: and also for breaking addictive habits (What Does the Bible Say
About Fasting?, Christ Unlimited Ministries, www.bible.com).
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 Preparing to Fast Preparing to Fast
“My spiritual drought ended, but this taste for the majesty of God
only made me thirst for more of HIM.”- John Piper Be in Faith. Be strong and vigilant in prayer as you dedicate
more time in fellowship with the Father. Ask the Holy Spirit for
Set your objective and commit to a type of fast. Why are you
fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the guidance. Be clear and specific about your faith goals in your
resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult personal life, family, finances, and church. These are what you
situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives will be believing God for during the fast and the entire year.
for your prayer fast. For this week of prayer and fasting, as usual Expect God to answer. Maintain a thankful heart throughout and
our objective is FBC’s individual and corporate revival. Once you after the fast.
know the reason you have for fasting, you must make a
commitment. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake.
CAUTION!
Choose the type of fast God wants you to undertake (See
Attached “Types of Fasting”). In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are
Determine how much time each day you will devote to prayer and certain persons who should not fast without professional
God’s Word. For this you can use the “JER 333” Prayer supervision. For example:
Strategy.
 Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated
We should be expectant. Be reminded that the Lord listens to a  Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other eating
prayer from the heart. Be true and contrite as we expect results disorders
from our God.
 Those who suffer weakness or anemia
Prepare yourself spiritually. The very foundation of fasting is  Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood
repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Seek diseases, or who have heart diseases
forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who
have hurt you. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.  Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver,
lungs, heart, or other important organs
Prepare yourself physically. Fasting requires physical
precautions. For those who are taking medication or have a  Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other
chronic ailment, it is advisable to consult your physician first, blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia
before beginning the fast.  Women who are pregnant or nursing
Lessen physical activities. Limit your physical and social  For people taking prescription drugs, do not abruptly stop
activities during this period (depending on the type of fast you will without consulting your attending physician
choose). You need to conserve physical energy and you need to
devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible.
Consult your doctor before you begin your fast but be aware
that many doctors have not been trained in this area and so
their understanding may be limited.

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