21-Day Fast: "Expansion" (2021)
Focus: Expansion - To facilitate the expansion of Heaven’s territory to the earth and cultivate kingdom living.
Start: Jan 11, 2021 // Finish: Jan 31, 2021
First, I want to celebrate your decision to join our church in a 21-Day Fast. Whether you are new to fasting or experienced, I have compiled answers to some general questions about fasting along with a focus for each day of the fast that I believe will be helpful to you on your journey.
What is Prayer? In the simplest way, prayer is communication with God. Prayers can be spoken and/or written. To learn more about how to pray, read A Guide to Daily Prayer.
What is fasting? Fasting is a spiritual discipline through physical sacrifice that denies the physical body of its greatest desire: food.
Why do we fast? In order to understand the significance of fasting, we must recognize that we are spiritual beings housed inside of physical bodies. Although spiritual at our core (with a spiritual purpose), we are often hindered by the desires of our flesh (read Romans 6:19, Galatians 5:17, James 4:1, 1 Peter 2:11). In fasting, we bring our bodies under subjection through discipline, using a key fruit of the spirit: self-control. In this process we diminish the influence of our flesh and expand the influence of the Spirit in our lives.
Why pray AND fast? Prayer is powerful in itself, however fasting in combination with prayer proves to produce an even more powerful result. This is demonstrated when the disciples were not able to drive out an evil spirit out of a child and Jesus revealed that it was only possible through fasting and prayer (Read Matthew 17:14-21). I believe that there are things in our lives that can only be released through the combined power of prayer and fasting. Supernatural abilities, visions, and expansion is available to us if we would humble ourselves through prayer and fasting.
Please note that while prayer does not require fasting, fasting does require prayer for a spiritual result. Simply put, fasting without prayer produces a starving stomach. Fasting with prayer produces an empowered believer. Yes, through the coupling of prayer and fasting, we increase our sensitivity to the Spirit realm (God’s Kingdom) and we are able to posture ourselves to hear, see and experience the supernatural things of the Spirit.
How do we fast? There are a variety of ways to fast, examples include:
During our corporate fast we will not suggest a specific method of fasting except that it involves food in some way. It’s clear to us that not everyone has the same level of experience when it comes to fasting so this flexibility allows for each person to fast on his/her level. Please take a moment to pray to God concerning this fast and allow the Spirit to lead you as to how you should fast in this season. It’s important to note that a fast is not effective if it does not include a sacrifice. Once you have identified how you will fast, I encourage you to commit to that thing by staying consistent and focused throughout the 21 days.
What Matters Most. When fasting you may hear testimonies of how your friends in ministry are experiencing transformation, breakthrough, blessings among other things, I encourage you to celebrate with them by praising God! However, understand that, while these things are residual effects of fasting, they are not our focus. Our focus is to experience God and develop spiritual discipline. This is what matters above all else. Remember we don’t desire to grow fast like weeds but to grow strong like trees. We don’t seek God for things, but to know (experience) Him (Proverbs 3:6, Philippians 3:10).
Daily Focus for 21-Days of Prayer + Fasting: Our overall focus is our vision for the year “Expansion #HeavenOnEarth”. During our fast, we will specifically pray for expansion in the following areas:
1 - Thinking + Living
2 - Thanksgiving + Praise
3 - God’s Kingdom
4 - Fruit of the Spirit
5 - Grace
6 - Worship
7 - Healing + Deliverance
8 - Forgiveness
9 - Yes (Surrender)
10 - Spirit
11 - Faith
12 - Family
13 - Identity, Purpose + Gifts
14 - Vision
15 - Wisdom
16 - Leadership
17 - Influence
18 - Stewardship + Wealth
19 - Generosity
20 - Territory (Authority)
21 - Community
More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I fast from social media or TV? I encourage you to see that regularly detoxing from social media or television is something that each of us should do regularly in life to maintain a healthy balance spiritually, mentally and physically. However, fasting as described in the Bible is directly connected to food.
What should I do about my medications? We acknowledge the importance of eating while taking prescribed medication. I encourage you to consult with your physician, let them know what you are planning and this way the two of you can determine what's possible for you in this fast.
What if I slip up and eat something? It’s ok, it’s happened to the best of us. What’s important is to acknowledge the mistake (confess), return to the fast (repent) and keep it moving. Understand that God is not waiting for your failure, instead He’s supporting your success (read 1 John 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11). You may feel convicted for your slip up and that’s normal, just don’t allow it to convert into guilt – conviction is healthy but guilt is debilitating. Remember that the number one thing God is concerned about is the condition of our hearts (read 1 Samuel 16:7).
Can I continue to fast beyond the 21 Days? Absolutely! Fasting is a spiritual discipline that every believer should engage in regularly as it directly affects our effectiveness in carrying out our purpose in the earth. Through prayer, allow the Spirit of God to lead you in how, when and why you fast going forward.
In His Grace,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Start: Jan 11, 2021 // Finish: Jan 31, 2021
First, I want to celebrate your decision to join our church in a 21-Day Fast. Whether you are new to fasting or experienced, I have compiled answers to some general questions about fasting along with a focus for each day of the fast that I believe will be helpful to you on your journey.
What is Prayer? In the simplest way, prayer is communication with God. Prayers can be spoken and/or written. To learn more about how to pray, read A Guide to Daily Prayer.
What is fasting? Fasting is a spiritual discipline through physical sacrifice that denies the physical body of its greatest desire: food.
Why do we fast? In order to understand the significance of fasting, we must recognize that we are spiritual beings housed inside of physical bodies. Although spiritual at our core (with a spiritual purpose), we are often hindered by the desires of our flesh (read Romans 6:19, Galatians 5:17, James 4:1, 1 Peter 2:11). In fasting, we bring our bodies under subjection through discipline, using a key fruit of the spirit: self-control. In this process we diminish the influence of our flesh and expand the influence of the Spirit in our lives.
Why pray AND fast? Prayer is powerful in itself, however fasting in combination with prayer proves to produce an even more powerful result. This is demonstrated when the disciples were not able to drive out an evil spirit out of a child and Jesus revealed that it was only possible through fasting and prayer (Read Matthew 17:14-21). I believe that there are things in our lives that can only be released through the combined power of prayer and fasting. Supernatural abilities, visions, and expansion is available to us if we would humble ourselves through prayer and fasting.
Please note that while prayer does not require fasting, fasting does require prayer for a spiritual result. Simply put, fasting without prayer produces a starving stomach. Fasting with prayer produces an empowered believer. Yes, through the coupling of prayer and fasting, we increase our sensitivity to the Spirit realm (God’s Kingdom) and we are able to posture ourselves to hear, see and experience the supernatural things of the Spirit.
How do we fast? There are a variety of ways to fast, examples include:
- Intentionally skipping a meal
- Turning away bread and sweets
- Eating only Fruits & Vegetable (Known as the Daniel Fast)
- Liquids only
During our corporate fast we will not suggest a specific method of fasting except that it involves food in some way. It’s clear to us that not everyone has the same level of experience when it comes to fasting so this flexibility allows for each person to fast on his/her level. Please take a moment to pray to God concerning this fast and allow the Spirit to lead you as to how you should fast in this season. It’s important to note that a fast is not effective if it does not include a sacrifice. Once you have identified how you will fast, I encourage you to commit to that thing by staying consistent and focused throughout the 21 days.
What Matters Most. When fasting you may hear testimonies of how your friends in ministry are experiencing transformation, breakthrough, blessings among other things, I encourage you to celebrate with them by praising God! However, understand that, while these things are residual effects of fasting, they are not our focus. Our focus is to experience God and develop spiritual discipline. This is what matters above all else. Remember we don’t desire to grow fast like weeds but to grow strong like trees. We don’t seek God for things, but to know (experience) Him (Proverbs 3:6, Philippians 3:10).
Daily Focus for 21-Days of Prayer + Fasting: Our overall focus is our vision for the year “Expansion #HeavenOnEarth”. During our fast, we will specifically pray for expansion in the following areas:
2 - Thanksgiving + Praise
3 - God’s Kingdom
4 - Fruit of the Spirit
5 - Grace
6 - Worship
7 - Healing + Deliverance
8 - Forgiveness
9 - Yes (Surrender)
10 - Spirit
11 - Faith
12 - Family
13 - Identity, Purpose + Gifts
14 - Vision
15 - Wisdom
16 - Leadership
17 - Influence
18 - Stewardship + Wealth
19 - Generosity
20 - Territory (Authority)
21 - Community
More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I fast from social media or TV? I encourage you to see that regularly detoxing from social media or television is something that each of us should do regularly in life to maintain a healthy balance spiritually, mentally and physically. However, fasting as described in the Bible is directly connected to food.
What should I do about my medications? We acknowledge the importance of eating while taking prescribed medication. I encourage you to consult with your physician, let them know what you are planning and this way the two of you can determine what's possible for you in this fast.
What if I slip up and eat something? It’s ok, it’s happened to the best of us. What’s important is to acknowledge the mistake (confess), return to the fast (repent) and keep it moving. Understand that God is not waiting for your failure, instead He’s supporting your success (read 1 John 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11). You may feel convicted for your slip up and that’s normal, just don’t allow it to convert into guilt – conviction is healthy but guilt is debilitating. Remember that the number one thing God is concerned about is the condition of our hearts (read 1 Samuel 16:7).
Can I continue to fast beyond the 21 Days? Absolutely! Fasting is a spiritual discipline that every believer should engage in regularly as it directly affects our effectiveness in carrying out our purpose in the earth. Through prayer, allow the Spirit of God to lead you in how, when and why you fast going forward.
In His Grace,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
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