Oasis Covenant Fellowship

I was going to post this on Mustard Seeds, but the women in our church are not the only ones considering fasting, So what I am about to share, is really a combination from both me and Eric.

As a background, Eric and I both felt called to a  big conference on the Mall in Washington DC. Bill Bright had spoken of fasting and we both felt called to do a 40 day fast. In preparation we did pick up the book The Coming Revival by Bill Bright.  This book was very helpful and much that I am going to mention about the ways to safely do a long term fasts, is mentioned in His book.

If you feel called to a fast. John Piper also was called and has done a wonderful job conveying the call of fasting for the New Testament Church. You can read his article/ sermon  here.

First I would consider anything over 3 days a long fast. I am not sure unless you are really sure god is calling you to a water only fast beyond 3 days, that it is healthy for your body.  We definitely felt like a juice fast was best for us. Eric has in the past fasted with only water for the first 3 days and then transfer to a juice fast. I however was not able to do that, but I think the book actually recommends that you start with a water fast.

I am going to split this up over the next few days as, it is alot on information and I do not want to overload you. Eric and I really took several weeks to prepare for this calling. I think if you are going to fast for a day or two, you can just decide to do that, but with a a long term fast, you really need to prepare in body, soul and spirit.

I am going to start with, Why Juice fast?

I think there is a humbling factor that God allows you to go through when you fast for a long period of time. No food for a 7. 14, or 40 days allow you to see your dependency on food. God teaches us what it is like to really hunger after Him. What’s more, God alone becomes your strength and that is amazing in and of itself. As your body is rid of toxins, your body, goes through amazing things and once you are rid of the toxins you have built up over years, your senses ( sight, smell, and spiritual) become keenly aware. While I have benefit from short fasts and there definitely is a need for them and God does call us to them. I found God revealed Himself to me in ways and also cleansed my heart in ways that were uncomfortable but necessary. Since water fasting for long periods of time was not feasible, juice fasting was an option for us.

More on Preparation Tomorrow,

laura