Seven Day Fast – Part 1

At a recent retreat for home missionaries, I felt God lead me to begin a seven day fast to accomplish a multi-fold purpose:

  1. receive a renewed vision and plan for our city
  2. break the yoke of the enemy in our city through a powerful, God-given anointing
  3. distribute power and anointing through our congregation with intercessory prayer and words of faith
  4. prepare denominational churches in our city to receive the revelation of Jesus’ name baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost
  5. secure a new building for our growing congregation to worship in

I thought some people might be interested to know how a seven-day fast will affect someone physically, spiritually, and mentally. Following is the beginning of my first-hand experience.

In the past, I have fasted for one day at a time, and for three days at a time, but never seven. So, this was quite a challenge at the outset. However, I am determined to see God move in mind-blowing ways.

I began my fast by praying for God to prepare me for the task. I asked my wife and a couple of close friends to pray for my health and encouragement as well.

My fast began after my last meal Saturday night, and will end this coming Saturday. I did not shorten my eating habits ahead of time, or lessen my meal sizes, but just jumped right in.

These were my personal guidelines for the fast:

  • I would not eat food
  • I would drink plenty of water
  • I would pray each morning and each night, and every time I became hungry in between
  • I would allow myself to occasionally use breath-mints (somebody say, “thank you Jesus!”)
  • I would take a daily vitamin
  • I would refrain from exercising, to keep my body from wasting away
  • I would continue with all of my normal obligations, such as work and Bible Studies

Day 1

The first morning, on Sunday, I began to feel weak as my body realized it was being deprived of food. By noon, I had begun to get a headache, and nauseous.

Our church service was at 2:30, and I felt an unbelievable amount of strength and clarity when I stepped behind the pulpit… God was providing for me as I ministered to our church.

After the service, I explained to the congregation that I would be fasting through the week, and asked them to pray for me through this. I felt it was important for me to keep my focus through the week, so I asked not to be burdened with any issues or problems… our church is full of wonderful, capable people that will be willing to pray for these needs.

The first day, for me, is usually the worst. It is the one where I must break the will of my flesh… and that is very difficult to do.

That evening, when I arrived home from church, my body was very weak, and a terrible headache came, which forced me to lay down early to sleep.

The condition of my spirit, however, was already improving… I was full of faith, and excited about what God was going to do.

Day 2

Through the night, the headache diminished, and I woke up to pray and prepare myself to leave for my full-time job.

During work, I became extremely hungry several times throughout the morning and afternoon, but prayed and drank water each time the hunger came.

This day was better than the first. My body was beginning to fall into submission to the will of my spirit.

Focusing was a challenge during the work day… both on work, and on my purpose for fasting. Something was happening, but I wasn’t sure what.

After work, I traveled home and spent time with my family, did some church work on my laptop, and then started to feel weak again. The hunger pains were pretty much gone, but my head began to ache again. I prayed some, then went upstairs to sleep away another terrible headache.

My spirit was very uplifted this day. I felt as if the foundations of mountains were shaking loose and getting ready to move. I spoke to a good friend on the phone, and he blessed me with words of Faith. Let me tell you that there is power in the spoken word! In fact, just quit reading this for a minute and call someone to bless them.

OK… you back? Good! Let’s get on to day three!

Day 3

OK, now we’re caught up to today… the day of this writing.

This morning, I woke up very refreshed. I felt as though I had (honestly) eaten very well the day before, and my body was quite energized. My faith was at a high as I prayed for our church members and visitors. I’ve got to tell you, there is something very liberating and powerful happening… I can feel it.

During my prayer today, I began to take authority through the Name of Jesus. I began to bind and loose, to rebuke devils and claim victories. Today is a very good day.

As I ascended the stairs this morning at work, I felt as though I had to try hard to climb them. But as I neared the top, a strength came over me that has not yet waned.

My mind is very sharp and focused, and my body feels strong and nourished. I am full of faith. Blessings are on my lips this afternoon, and I am praying constantly while I work.

Tonight, I will be teaching a men’s Bible study, and then going home to pray and prepare for next week’s mailing. Oh, I didn’t tell you about that yet, did I? I’m writing a letter to all the pastors in our area to invite them individually to lunch, and to ask their help in finding a new building for our church. More on that in another article!

That’s it for this installment. You can read part two here.

Author: Jay Jones

Jay is an author, veteran church planter, speaker, and the pastor of the Pentecostals of Kentwood. He's a passionate worshipper of Jesus Christ, a husband, daddy, pastor, and a ‘pretty good guy’. Jay is also an ordained minister of the United Pentecostal Church, where he currently serves as a Presbyter in West Michigan.

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