AN EXTRAORDINARY HUNGER FOR

A GUIDE TO FA ST I N G

INTRO God has given First Baptist Rogers an Extraordinary Vision. If we are to fulfill it, we need His favor and help. Join your faith family at First Baptist Rogers in seeking Him through the spiritual discipline of fasting on April 14, 2016 as God leads you to participate. Before you begin, read this guide and pray for God to choose the type of fast you engage in.

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WHY DO W E FA ST ? Christians fast to seek God.

Ezra led the people of Israel to seek God while fasting (Ezra 8:23). Jehoshaphat led Judah to turn their attention to seeking God through fasting (2 Ch. 20:3). Through fasting we demonstrate humility before God (Ps. 35:13). Jesus noted that some things can’t be done except through prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21). Ezra and Nehemiah both proclaimed fasts before big tasks (Ezra 8:21, Neh. 9:1). Whether for repentance, humility before God, or a desperate need for God’s help, we engage in fasting to beg God to move mightily.

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We are fasting at First Baptist Rogers for several similar reasons. We long for God to be among us as we consider His vision for the church. We know we must remain humble and rely on Him because the vision He’s given us cannot be accomplished without His grace. With this extraordinary vision before us, we fast to ask for God’s grace and guidance as we prepare to make spiritual and financial commitments to God.

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W H AT I S FA ST I N G ? Fasting is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from a natural activity for the purpose of engaging in a spiritual activity, especially prayer.

Normal Fast

A normal fast is the practice of abstaining from any food for a period of time, such as from sunrise to sunset, for an entire 24-hour period, for three full days, or for just a meal. Most of the time, this is the type of fast mentioned in the Bible.

Absolute Fast

An Absolute Fast is the practice of abstaining from food, water, or the ingestion of any other substance for a period of time. Moses, Ezra, and Paul all 4

engaged in this type of supernatural fast. (Ex. 34:28, Ezra 10:6, Acts 9:9)

Partial Fast

A partial fast is the practice of abstaining from a certain type of food or drink (coffee, soda, meat, etc.) for a period of time.

Non-food Fast

A non-food fast is the practice of abstaining from something else (sleep, sexual contact, television, etc.) for a period of time. King Darius fasted from food, entertainment, and sleep after he realized his decree would land Daniel in the lion’s den (Dan. 6:18). Jesus frequently stayed up late or got up early to pray. Moses instructed Israel not to go near a woman as they prepared to receive the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:15) and Paul instructed husbands and wives not to abstain from sexual contact except for a time by agreement for the purpose of prayer (1 Cor. 7:5). 5

HOW DO W E FA ST ? 1 Ask God to lead you in the type of fast you should engage in, knowing that it is God who chooses the fast, not you (see Isaiah 58:5-6).

2 If God calls you to a sleep fast, sign up

for one of the overnight prayer slots at fbrogers.co/24HourFast. Spend that time praying through the prayer points listed at the end of this booklet.

3 If God calls you to another non-food

fast, set aside a block of time that you would normally use for any given activity for the purpose of praying through the prayer points listed at the end of this booklet.

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4 If God calls you to a partial, normal, or

absolute fast, pull out this guide every time you feel the urge to break your fast and pray for one of the prayer points listed at the end of this booklet, then move on to the following point the next time you feel that urge.

5 Remember the words of Jesus on fasting:

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” MATTH E W 6:16- 18 ( N A SB )

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MEDICAL C O N S I D E R AT I O N S 1 Cut out sugar 2-3 days before your fast. 2 If you begin to feel weak, drink water or

fruit juice to hydrate and raise your blood sugar. If you get confused, have trouble talking, or feel sick, eat something. 3 Consider taking a multivitamin. 4 Unless God calls you to an absolute fast, drink lots of water. Pursue an absolute fast with extreme caution. 5 If you are diabetic, have a metabolic disorder, are pregnant or nursing, or have kidney problems or any other disorder affected by food intake, talk to your doctor before engaging in a fast. If you are concerned about the potential health ramifications of fasting, talk to your doctor.

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P R AY E R P O I N T S 1 Ask God to convict our church family of sin and repent from any sin for which you are convicted.

2 Ask God to grant you and everyone else in our church family spiritual renewal.

3 Ask God to impress on you and every

person at First Baptist Rogers their unique role in helping us achieve our extraordinary vision.

4 Ask God to begin impressing on you

and every person at First Baptist Rogers the commitment He would have them make.

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5 Ask God to give First Baptist Rogers

an Extraordinary Vision of future gospel ministry to thousands of people in Northwest Arkansas and around the world.

6 Ask God to fulfill the mission of making disciples of all the nations through First Baptist Rogers.

7 Ask God to create opportunities for

church members to invite someone to come to church this week.

8 Ask God to expand our influence in

Northwest Arkansas and bring many people to come walk with God with us at First Baptist Rogers.

9 Ask God to bless our First Connections

class with many people desiring to connect to First Baptist Rogers. 10

q Ask God to bless our LIFE Groups

in preschool, kids, students, and adult ministries so that many people may experience growth in their faith.

w Ask God to raise you and every person at First Baptist Rogers to serve His church and His kingdom in some fashion.

e Ask God to raise up people from First

Baptist Rogers to go locally, nationally, and globally to make disciples of all nations, and make yourself available to go if God calls you.

r Ask God to give First Baptist Rogers

wisdom and resources in creating new space and parking to facilitate our mission and process.

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t Ask God to launch many new LIFE

Groups at First Baptist Rogers so that more people can connect, grow, and serve at First Baptist Rogers.

y Ask God to give you and the people of First Baptist Rogers the grace to give and serve beyond their natural ability.

u Ask God to make you and the people

of First Baptist Rogers ready for the great things He will do here in the coming years.

i Ask God to prepare you and the

people of First Baptist Rogers for the work involved in reaching our Extraordinary Vision.

o Ask God to help you and the people of First Baptist Rogers commit to sow bountifully as we approach our commitment weekend. 12

p Ask God to help you and the people

of First Baptist Rogers be cheerful and eager to give so that we may achieve our Extraordinary Vision through Him.

a Ask God to help you and the people

of First Baptist Rogers commit to use what He has given them for good deeds and righteousness.

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“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” MATT H E W 6:16-18 ( N A SB )

3364 West Pleasant Grove Rd Rogers, AR 72758 479.636.3451 14