Quieting our World to Hear God's Whisper- Preparing for a 21DAY FAST

Happy Tuesday Sisters,

Today’s entry comes to you in preparation of our first corporate FAST.

GOAL: exercising a spiritual discipline that will focus our prayers, open our hearts and invites God’s presence. To hear from Him in those areas we currently need direction on.

Fasting: To abstain from food, to eat little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline a period of such abstention or self-denial.

When: 21 Days beginning on this coming

  Sunday January 24, 2016 – Saturday February 13, 2016.

(Please take note of any special days we will be fasting through)

•      As a ministry we are not so much focusing on the type of fasts everyone should embark on. We employ you to pray to God regarding the things you should sacrifice during this time. 
• Addt’ly, if you are on medication please take your health obligations into consideration.
• If fasting is a new discipline for you, 21 days may seem long perhaps consider a partial fast. Where you partner with us during the entire 21 days but perhaps you do a sun up to sun down fast.   8am- 8pm- essentially one meal a day!

The most important aspect of this time is to make it personal. You know the things that present a ‘distraction’ in your life. This is a time where you deny that which you desire to desire and seek HIS presence greater. We have selected a Bible plan to specify our intentions during these 21 days.  To partner with us during this fast please do the following.

• 1.     Download the You Version Bible app (smart phone, tablet or computer)
• 2.     Tap Menu (top left corner) Tap Plans (bottom, 2^nd from left)
• 3.     Tap Discover (top right) Tap the magnifying glass/search indicator and type in THE VINE- FASTING
• 4.     On SUNDAY the 24^th ideally In the AM as you prepare to begin your day you will hit START PLAN
• 5.     Each day there will be a scripture for you to read and a line that says devotional content. (READ both, some days there may be more than one scripture) change your bible version to NIV or MSG version if it’s easier to understand. (This time is about receiving HIS word, so remove the hindrance. 

This Bible Plan will prepare our hearts and minds for this special time of going deeper in God. 

A couple important things to consider.

• ·      READ Matthew 6:16-18 it explains that FASTING isn’t a time to seek attention. It’s not a time to make sure others know of your sacrifice. It’s about you and God, it’s not top secret but it also isn’t common knowledge.
• ·      You can fast from 'THINGS' that hinder your communion with God as a means of self denial, in addition to food if you’d like.  Ie: social media, television, a sport, video games, etc. some people fast from things they want to ultimately stop anyway. (lottery, smoking, cursing etc. )
• ·      AWE will be including social media in our personal fast, so we will not be posting on Twitter and IG during this 21 days. However we will continue to post on this blog, as God shall lead during this time in  addition to our weekly Tuesday blog entry to encourage you during this fast.
• ·      If you need ANYTHING during this time please contact us using the CONTACT US form.
• ·      Use this week to prepare your home for your fast. If your fast is to eat no meat make sure you have other food options, if you’re doing water only make sure you have enough water.  etc. 
• ·      Fasting with family and friends can be a blessing but you must ensure it isn’t treated as a family/group diet. Your time with God is the focus and no groaning!

SISTERS if you have done FAST before please feel free to encourage your sisters by sharing your testimonies, the type of fast you’ve done, the sacrifice you are making in this season, revelations God gives you during this season etc. in the comments of this blog entry

 If you have any questions please use the comments or the contact us form. You can also have the You Version Bible app send you a reminder each day. Be intentional about your quiet time reading his word, you are standing in expectation during this 21 days sisters. You are praying, surrendering, listening and humbling your hearts in expectation. 

TIP: During one of my first fast, each time I would get hungry, I would use that time to read the Bible or go immediately into prayer. People do not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

We are so grateful God is aligning this time of corporate fast with you ladies. We are praying for you and with you daily. We are so honored to be apart of your journey in Christ and we stand in AWE of your commitment to HIM. You are good and faithful servants and the righteous will never be forsaken. Expect great, for there is nothing greater than friendship with God. We know that quiet time with HIM will make the devil mad, so PRESS IN. Fight for your peace and truly surrender at HIS feet. He loves you and HE cares!