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Total Grace Christian Center 21-Day Corporate Fast January 7 – 28, 2008 Bishop Johnathan E. Alvarado, Senior Pastor Toni G. Alvarado, Pastor Spiritual Preparation Confess sins to God
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Total Grace Christian Center21-Day Corporate FastJanuary 7 – 28, 2008 Bishop Johnathan E. Alvarado, Senior Pastor Toni G. Alvarado, Pastor
Spiritual Preparation Confess sins to God Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness of those you may have offended (Mk. 11:25, Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2). Ask God to show you activities in your life that should be laid aside during this time of seeking Him. Spend time daily reading and meditating in God’s word (Ps. 1:1-3). Pray as often as you can during the fast. Set clear goals for the fast Direction (ministry, career, relationships) Healing (physical, emotional, spiritual) Restoration of marriage or family concerns Salvation of loved ones Financial challenges Freedom from habits or addictions What happens during the fast? Fasting detoxifies your body by eliminating toxins from your system. You may experience mild discomforts such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. Naturally, you will have hunger pangs. Limit your activity as much as possible, and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting Preparation
Corporate Fasting Scriptures: (Ezra 8:21-23, Neh. 9:1-3, Joel 2: 15-16) Ezra 8 – Fasting and Prayer for Protection 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Nehemiah 9 – The People Confess Their Sins 1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. 2 Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshipped the Lord their God. Joel 2 – A Call to Repentance 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; 16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Fasting Preparation
Corporate Fast Guidelines • TGCC strongly encourages individuals with health concerns to consult their doctor prior to beginning a fast. This is especially important if you take prescription medications or have a chronic condition. Some people should never fast without professional supervision. Preparing for the Fast • Begin drinking plenty of liquids (water with lemon juice and 100% juice is recommended) • Begin limiting intake of caffeine and sugar • Begin decreasing overall consumption of food • Begin limiting fast foods, fried foods and snack foods • Plan ahead for meals and meal times; have necessary items on hand January 7 – 13 (Begin at 6 a.m. on the 7th) • Avoid sugar, sweets, caffeine, and snack foods (candy, cake, chips, coffee, soda, etc.) • Limit meat intake to 1 serving of chicken, turkey or fish per day • Limit bread, pasta and rice to 1 serving daily • Drink plenty of water and 100% all-natural fruit or vegetable juices January 14 - 20 • Avoid sugar, sweets, caffeine, and snack foods • Limit meat intake to 1 serving of chicken, turkey or fish per day • Eliminate bread, pasta and rice • Drink plenty of water and 100% all-natural juice January 21 - 28 (End fast at 6 a.m. on the 28th) • Eat fruit and vegetables ONLY • Include lentils, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and protein shakes • Drink plenty of water and 100% all-natural juice
Corporate Fast Guidelines Fruit options: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon Vegetable options: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy. ___________________________________________________________ If you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the offices of Total Grace Christian Center 4000 Covington Highway Decatur, Georgia 30032 Tel: 404.289.2229 www.totalgrace.org Office Hours: Monday – Thursdays 9:00am – 5:00pm