Monday, December 3, 2007

Good morning

As you know, Bishop Leggett, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, has called for a voluntary fast in conjunction with the Awakening America Alliance January 1-21, 2008. To help you prepare for this time of fasting and prayer, the iWIN office has put together some materials you may find of interest. Attached are the guidelines and prayer guide.

For your fast to be successful, you must do a little planning. Once you have decided you will make the commitment, you must decide exactly how you will carry out your fast. There are many ways to participate: you could fast for 21 days using the Daniel Fast guidelines, fast one meal a day, fast every day after 3pm, fast completely for 3 days or fast just one certain food or activity. It is completely up to you.

Once you commit to the fast and decide how you will fast, write down your commitment. Then determine what you want to personally accomplish through this fast. Do you need breakthrough in an area of your life? Do you have health/physical issues you need to overcome? Are you longing for a deeper relationship with the Lord? Do you have unsaved loved ones? Write down your goals. They say if you know where you're going, you'll know when you get there!

The following is from Dave Williams' book, The Miracle Results of Fasting:
“We live in one of those phenomenal seasons when God is calling people to fast. I believe He is drawing us closer to His side so that we can win souls, walk in spiritual authority, and advance His kingdom at a greater speed and with greater impact. Fasting supercharges our efforts to accomplish God's purposes. I'm not proposing some sort of new legalism by telling you to fast a certain number of days per month to achieve holiness. I'm simply showing how leading a fasted life increases our ability to hear from God, walk in His ways, and do His will.

To assure success:

• Make a firm commitment to God and to yourself.
  
• Consult a health professional to determine what is best for you physically.
  
• Make a plan and stick with it.
  
• List the rewards you're expecting. Write them down and review them daily in prayer.
  
• Stay focused on the purpose of your fast and the benefits.”
  

May the Lord direct you clearly as you prepare for your time of fasting!