Serving The Least, The Last, and The Lost.
Join us in prayer and fasting as we seek God's guidance for the year 2024
We invite you to 21 Days of Fasting. We’ve decided that our 21-day commitment will begin on Monday, January 8th.
You can decide what type of fast you want to commit to.
God is a God of new beginnings. And the best place to start a year is to begin with Him – the giver of good gifts and the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(James 1:17; Hebrews 11:6)
Download the PLCC Fasting and Prayer 21 Days Devotional 2024
How to Begin
Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible. Remember to consult with your Physician if you are taking medications regularly.
Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).
What to Expect
When you fast, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus' example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.
How to End
Don't overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
Few reasons why Christians should and do fast
1. Jesus commands us to Fast – In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “When you fast…,” and then goes on to give instruction how to fast. His instructions assume that his disciples will, in fact, be fasting. Otherwise, there would be no need for him to give any instructions on the matter. Additionally, Jesus modeled this discipline. Before he went into public ministry, he fasted. Often, he would come away from the crowds to pray alone.
2. Fasting Kills our Love of Lesser Joys – So often in our lives, we run around so preoccupied with the lesser joys of money, people, job, school, etc., that we forget our dependence on and joy in God. Fasting helps us to remember that, “man doesn’t live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In forsaking food, we forsake that on which we depend for life, to remember the one on whom we ultimately depend on life. Often during a fast, our idolatry is exposed, giving room for repentance and growth in holiness.
3. Fasting fans into flame our Passion for God – God does not want us to be half-hearted in our devotion to him. We are not honored when people are half-committed and flaky to us, and neither is God. Fasting causes us to see freshly our dependence on God and thus stirs our affections for him. It causes us to see him as our daily bread, and sweeter to us than honey. (Psalm 19). This makes true worship rise from our hearts to God.
4. Fasting causes us to be Generous – Isaiah 58 shows us that one of God’s intentions behind fasting is that we might take the food and resources we’re not using during that time and give them to the poor and oppressed. By abstaining from food and the “extras” in life, we’re able to be more generous. Consider the words of Scripture: “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. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” (Isaiah 58: 10-11)
5. Fasting Strengthens Prayer – Scripture gives us examples of fasting strengthening our prayers, thus the common pairing of Christians fasting and praying. When we fast, our minds and hearts become focused, and our prayers are often more filled with fervor and life. That’s not to say that our emotional commitment to pray somehow makes God listen better, but it does allow us to pray better, and more in line with God’s will. (See Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:17-29; Acts 10:30; 1 Corinthians 7:5).
Here are some additional reasons that Scripture gives us to fast:
1. To be Christ like (Matthew 4:1-17; Luke 4:1-13).
2. To grow in holiness (Isaiah 58:5-7).
3. To repent from sins (See Jonah 3:8; Nehemiah 1:4, 9:1-3; 1 Samuel 14:24).
4. To morn for the dead (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12).
5. To request God’s help in times of crisis and calamity (Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:4-11
​TYPES OF FAST
Some of the most common fasts are described briefly as follows:
The Absolute Fast: An absolute fast is when one abstains from both eating and drinking. Even water is not allowed on absolute fasts.
The Normal Fast: In a normal fast, you abstain from both eating and drinking, but drinking water is allowed.
The Daniel Fast: The Daniel fast, is where the person who is fasting can eat fruits, vegetables and water. Choice foods like meat and wine are not allowed.
The Partial Fast: The partial fast is a kind of fast where you abstain from eating or drinking certain food items. You can choose to skip a meal, or you may choose to eat just certain foods throughout your fast.
The Juice Fast: The juice fast, as the name suggests is a fast where you only exist on fruit and vegetable juices. Juice fasting has gained immense popularity, especially with people who are trying to lose weight. It is a great method of detoxification fasting also and is advised by many dieticians for various reasons.
Water, Honey and Lemon Fast: The water, honey and lemon fast is again a popular weight loss and detoxification fast. One is supposed to survive on a diet of warm water with some lemon juice and honey mixed in it. It is a great method of cleansing the body.
If You Are Planning On The Daniel Fast:
FOODS INCLUDED IN THE FAST
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
FRUITS
Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
VEGETABLES
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger root, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, Seeds, Nuts.
LIQUIDS
Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All-Natural Vegetable Juices (No Fruit Punch, Hi-C, etc.) Decaffeinated Tea. WATER: Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water daily throughout the fast.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
FOODS NOT INCLUDED
Sugar and sugar products (i.e. desserts, soft drinks, etc.)
Beverages that include caffeine (i.e. coffee, tea, etc.), Carbonated beverages
Breads, grains (rice is an exception)
Meats, fish poultry, eggs, dairy products, butter
Fried foods
Foods containing preservatives or additives
Refined sugar, Sugar substitutes
White flour and all products containing it
Margarine, shortening, high fat products
Remember whatever type of fast you choose, commit to one hour to spend with Jesus
“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. Matthew 26:40