Church-Wide Fast

Pastor Chris has called Faith Promise Church to a week-long fast beginning Thursday morning, March 18, and continuing till Wednesday evening on March 24.  Alternatively, some people may opt to begin their fast on Friday morning, March 19, instead, and then break the fast on Thursday evening after the first production of Sacred Storm March 25.

The focus of this fast is primarily to pray for people in this city and throughout the United States who will come into contact with the message of Jesus Christ through our Sacred Storm and Easter services – both here on our Pellissippi Campus and our Internet Campus.  Pray that God will bring transformation to people’s lives – shining the truth of His Word, breaking through the darkness, and setting people free.

What exactly do you mean by fasting?

In the life of the Christian, fasting is giving up something as an act of devotion to Jesus.  Most generally, fasting involves giving up all food and only drinking water or juice for the duration of the fast, but some people will choose a variation of this – eating no solid foods, eating only fruits and vegetables, or giving up a particular kind of food for the duration of the fast.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that every believer should have in their lives.  Jesus did not say “if you fast.” He said “when you fast.” (Matthew 6:16)

How can I keep from thinking about food all the time?

During the first few days of the fast, it’s natural to think about food more often than normal.  Your body will tell you that you’re starving to death, but you’re not.  Instead, you’re breaking the patterns of eating that your body is accustomed to.  Try to use these hunger pains as an opportunity to focus your mind and attention back toward God.

Each time you find yourself absentmindedly thinking of food, make the conscious decision to remember God and pray to Him.

Isn’t it wrong to let people know that you’re fasting?

Jesus clearly warned people against drawing attention to themselves when fasting (Matthew 6:1-18), so we must be careful as individuals not to try to impress people through our actions; we’re doing this for God, not for people.  Even still, there are many times throughout Scripture when God called groups of people to fast collectively – together demonstrating their dependence on God.

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