21 Day Prayer and Fasting
We encourage you to join us as we dedicate 21 days in January to the Lord. Our theme this year is: The Year of Execution. God is going to execute His plans for Calvary Life DFW in 2023! Our church wide fast will begin 1/8-1/29.
“Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.’”Jeremiah 1:12
Every year we fast and pray at the beginning of the year as church to hear God’s direction and desire for us a local body. Corporate fasting builds us personally and collectively as we share in this experience and pray with and for one another.
The Daniel Fast is an opportunity for you to draw closer to God through fervent, focused prayer. It involves a 21-day commitment to a partial fast, which means you restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to the Lord.
Here are some additional amazing benefits of fasting:
Combining fasting and prayer will restore a more vibrant and intimate relationship with Christ.
Fasting is a biblical way to humble yourself (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21).
Fasting can make you sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His desires for you. o Fasting helps you prioritize your spiritual life and helps enhance your ability to connect with God.
Fasting promotes mental clarity, inner stillness and emotional health.
Fasting breaks unhealthy eating patterns and allows detox of the body. Other benefits may include: clearer skin, better sleep, and more energy.
Quick Guide:
Foods to avoid: red meat & poultry, refined sugars, sugar substitutes, white rice, breads, dairy products like milk & cheese. Margarine or shortening, Fried foods, sodas, white flour & products containing it.
Foods to eat: Fruits and vegetables, plant‐based products like nut‐milks, legumes & true nuts, nut butters (without sugar), seeds, whole grains like barley, oats or brown rice.
Drinks: herbal teas, water, nut‐milks, 100% natural fruit or vegetable juice.
At your discretion: Fish, coffee and caffeine
Important Notes:
If you have any health conditions, or are pregnant or nursing please consult your doctor first!
DO NOT be legalistic with the fast. It’s important to be disciplined to stick to the fast, but choose a fast that makes sense for you.
A fast is less about the eating, and more about connecting to God. Fasting is a means to accomplish that Goal! Spend extended time every day to focus on praying journaling and reading. If you have never fasted before or are a new Christian, reach out to one of our pastors for direction!
For the first few days, you can expect hunger pains and reduced energy while your body adjusts to the fast. We advise limiting or adjusting your workouts as well. Eventually as your body adjusts, energy levels will improve.
Other Suggestions and Considerations:
If you are unable to fast from foods due to health concerns or dietary restrictions. Consider fasting from something else! TV, media and social media are often popular non-food fasts. But it could be anything that has taken a controlling or distracting place in your life! This is a time to seek God!!!
Stay Hydrated! It’s important to drink healthy amounts of water over the fast as this will help your body detox, keep you energized and curb hunger pains.
We strongly encourage you to journal your experience over the fast. Journaling is a great way to express your thoughts, emotions and experiences. It’s also an amazing way to record what God is showing to you, and what you are praying about. Going back to read these can be very rewarding!