16. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18. so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6

3. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
6. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8. Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousnessa will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10. and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.  

- Isaiah 58
Fasting

"Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD" - Joel 1:14 [NIV]

Why Do we Fast?

We fast so that we can be receptive to God and get our prayers answered as quickly as possible. In Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:16) he did not say "if we fast" but "when we fast" which means that there is the expectation that Christians should fast if we want to get closer to God.

We also fast to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. We need to eat to live, but we shouldn't simply live to eat. Fasting takes our focus away from our stomach and puts it on God. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone and watch TV at the same time?  It's usually not very productive. In the same way, if you want to have a conversation with God or get answers to your prayers then you need to give your undivided attention.

But simply fasting is not enough. In Isaiah 58:3-5 God says that even when we do fast it must be with the right mental attitude and motives. If we do not cultivate good relations with those around us, then our fast will not be acceptable to God. In fasting we must be humble, charitable, stop fighting each other and stop blaming other people.

It is only then that God will strengthen our physical body and hear and answer our prayers through fasting. Isaiah 58:6-12 shows us the promises God has in store for us through proper fasting.

How should we Fast?

There are three types of fast that you you can do, with one differing from the next by how challenging it is and how much you are able to sacrifice your body:

  1. Elimination Fast - eliminate particular foods or types of food from the diet
  2. Liquid Fast - consume only liquids
  3. Dry Fast - no intake of food or liquids

The elimination fast is ideal for people who are sick, elderly or otherwise find it extremely difficult to go without eating anything at all during the fasting period. The elimination fast is also better suited for long fasts such as 21 days. We recommend eliminating the following food groups completely from your diet during the fasting period:

  1. Sugar
  2. Flour and any baked products
  3. Meat
  4. Fried or fatty foods
  5. All animal products

The liquid fast requires that you consume only liquids such as water and juices during the fasting period. You can also consume broth or light soup on days that you feel weak. We recommend the liquid fast for seven and 21 day fasts.

The dry fast is the most challenging since it requires that there be no intake of water or any liquids during the fasting period. The dry fast is better suited for shorter fasts like one day or three days. Please do not use the dry fast for longer fasts such as 7 days and 21 days, unless you are under the supervision of a medical professional.

The time of the day during which you fast is called the daily fasting period, We ask that you choose the same period each day for the fasting period. We recommend 6:00am to 2:00pm or 6:00am to 6:00pm. During the fasting period we recommend that you do not consume anything until you break your fast at the end of the period. For longer fasts such as the 7 day and 21 day fasts, you may consume as much water as you like if you find that you are getting weak.

No matter what type of fast you select, what type of foods you choose to eliminate from your diet or what fasting period you choose, remember that if you are not challenging yourself or you are not making a great sacrifice, then it won't mean anything to God either.

Here are the steps to take to select your method of fasting:

  1. Choose one of the three types of fast
  2. Determine what you can safely eliminate from your diet
  3. Select one of the two time periods for fasting
  4. Stick to you choices throughout the fast

How should we Prepare for a Fast?

To ensure that your fast is a success, you must prepare for it 2-3 days before you actually start the fast. The worst thing you can do is to have a feast and gorge yourself the day before the fast.

Irrespective of the type of fast that you choose, we recommend that you being to start eliminating foods from your diet during those first 2-3 days before the fast starts. For instance, if you are going to do the liquid fast you should only eat fresh fruit and vegetables and clear soups in the days leading up to your fast. This way your body learns to adjust and you also prepare yourself mentally.

The most difficult part of a fast is the first 3-4 days at the start of the fast. That's when you start to get weak and your memory and cravings for foods (especially the wrong kind of foods) is very high. At this time your senses also become much more heightened than normal. You begin to smell fast food on the highway in the middle of nowhere, and it seems like every other commercial on TV is for mouth watering food.

Resist the temptation to eat or break your fast during those first 3-4 days. The devil will tempt you at every step. After those initial days you will find that you begin to get into a zone where all those temptations go away as you become more in tune and receptive to God. You will feel re-energized, and you will find that you are not weak anymore.

When do we Fast?

As a group we fast at the start of the new year and during our revival period. Our revival periods are determined by Pastor Abiedu whenever he gets guidance from God.

Are there health benefits to Fasting?

Besides the spiritual benefits, fasting also gives the digestive system a break and allows the body to eliminate dangerous toxins from the body that build up over time. Toxins build up in our bodies because we don't drink enough water or because we accumulate waste in our bodies faster than we can remove it. Many of us are constantly constipated due to foods high in fat and sugar and low in fiber.

The accumulation of toxins in the body leads to a variety of diseases and chronic conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, which can in turn lead to heart disease. Fasting can eliminate or prevent many of these conditions by eliminating toxic substances that we take in with our food, and giving our bodies a chance to heal. That is why it is important ot consume fresh purified water during our fasts, while avoiding sugary drinks.