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40 Day Fast of Repentance
Sunday, September 22, 2024- Thursday, October 31, 2024
Sunday, September 22, 2024 marks the first day of the fast.
Thursday, October 31, 2024 marks the final day of the fast.
365d
24h
60m
60s
Fasting Details Here is what we will consume from 9/22/2024-10/31/2024 You can choose to fast from 6am-6pm with liquids only for 40 days. Or, you can choose to fast for the full 24 hours for the duration of the 40 days. What are we allowed to drink? Smoothies, juice, broth, tea, coffee and water. What aren't we allowed to drink? Soup, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, condiments, brine. There should be no extras and toppings like whipped cream, fudge, sprinkles, and so on. This is a LIQUID fast. The juices should be fruit and/or vegetable juice. The smoothies should be fruit and/or vegetable smoothies. Fresh, frozen, and dried fruits, and fresh and frozen vegetables should be used for the smoothies. Juice, water, dairy or non-dairy milk can be added as a liquid component. Sweeteners are allowed. Protein powders, nut butters, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and supplemental powders and extras like wheatgrass, collagen powder, sea moss, etc., are allowed. You can use any combinations of fruits and/or vegetables you choose. You can add sweeteners, milk, and flavoring agents to your tea and coffee. The fast is for 24 hours a day for a full 40 days. This means you will have your final meal on September 21, 2024 before 11:59 pm. After this, your next meal will not be until November 1, 2024. For the 40 days of fasting, we should not be eating meals throughout the day. For 40 days we will either drink from 6am-6pm, or drink for the full 24 hours. These are all the instructions for the fast. Thank you.
*If you have pre-existing conditions, or any health concerns, please consult with your physician before doing this fast.
Why We Fast? There are many biblical reasons saints should fast. Fasting is one of the weapons of our warfare. Fasting is a warfare strategy and weapon we use to overcome the tactics, oppression and bondage of the enemy. Fasting is also a spiritual tool we use to gain access to the heart of God, His will for our lives, and the power we need to change. 1. Deliverance from unique bondage. (Matthew 17:21) 2. Breakthrough. (Nehemiah 1:4) 3. To afflict our flesh. (Isaiah 58:3) 4. To access God's mercy and turn away judgement. (Jonah 3:4-10) 5. To humble ourselves. (Psalm 35:13) 6. For direction, understanding, protection, and guidance. (Ezra 8:21, Daniel 10:1-3 and 12 ) 7. Before ministry endeavors. (Acts 13:2-3) 8. To resist temptation. (Luke 4:1-2) There is no way to win the war against us while operating in the flesh. The battle is in the spirit and for our spirit, so we must fight in the spirit. If we only feed our flesh then our spirits will be too weak to fight. When we fast, we are denying our flesh what it naturally needs to feed our spirit what it supernaturally needs. By doing this, we weaken the flesh and its power over us while strenghtening our spirit and the power it has. If we are going to be a real saint, we need to have real power. This power is supernatural and it is not optional if we are to live victoriously. Fasting is a discipline that we advance in if we practice it regularly. Besides the aforementioned reasons for fasting, it is also a great way to grow the fruits of faith, temperance and patience. I highly recommend that you seek the Lord concerning how fasting can benefit you, and when and how you should do it. Yes! You will be hungry! No! It won't always be easy. Growth is challenging but God is faithful to see you through if you have the heart and will to stick with it.
Can we drink during a fast? Yes! The Encyclopedia Britannica defines fasting as the following: "Abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious, or ethical purposes." Many people today constrict the defintion of fasting, however biblically and presently fasting is not limited to "no food or drink". In ancient Judaism fasts were usually from 6pm-6pm, as well as 6am-6pm (sunrise to sunset). Scriptures documents different types of fasts, but doesn't restrict the believer to any one in particular. Daniel fasted from certain foods for 3 weeks straight. Daniel only abstained from certain foods, and scripture considers this a fast. Esther and the Jews throughout the region of King Xerxes rulership fasted from all foods and drinks for a full three days. Whether you are abstaining from foods, or both foods and drinks, you are still sacrificing your meal out of humility before God. As you grow in your lifestyle of fasting, you will be able to utilize the various types of fasts. Intermittent, abstinence from certain foods, smoothies and/or juice only, smoothies only, juice and broth only, juice only, water only, or no liquids at all. Your fast will depend on the season of life you're in, and what God is requiring of you. If God called you to it, it will be effective; no matter how long, how short, or how restrictive when God calls you to a fast and you obey it should bear the right fruit in your life.
Fasting is an integral part of the life of a saint. If we are to grow, we are to fast. In light of this fact, fasting is a regular part of Destined Women Ministries.