2012 Corporate Daniel Fast

River of Life HEB starts each year with a Daniel Fast.  It’s a time for us to fast and pray for 2012.  We anticipate this time of year as we grow closer to God, become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and lift up the needs of our family, friends, & church.

God’s word makes it very clear that fasting should be a normal part of the Christian life.  Yet, many do not understand why or how.  This blog will assist you in a 21-Day Daniel Fast.  Visit our website at http://www.rolh.org and click the Blog Icon for more information and resources during your fast and prayer time.

4 Targets to Pray For While Fasting

1.  Revival - pray for revival in your personal life as well as River of Life.  Ask the Lord to transform, strengthen, and sustain you.  Ask him to make 2011 the best year of your entire life.

2.  Churches – pray for other local churches in our city.  Pray for pastors and staff members.  Pray for worship leaders.  Pray for unity and a great harvest to come to Hurst, Euless, Bedford, & the DFW area in 2011.

3.  HEB - pray for Hurst, Euless, & Bedford.  Pray that God would pour out a spirit of revival in our cities.  Pray that God would use our cities to glorify Him through the nations.

4.  Financial Breakthrough - pray to the Lord to provide for ROLH in 2012.  We have big plans for expansion and we need God’s provision.  Ask Him to provide for you and your family in 2012.  Ask Him to make you a good steward of God’s money.

Daniel Fast Overview

The Daniel Fast is a fast designed to connect us with God.  We will take the first 21 days of January to focus on Him and center ourselves our what God is doing in our church and our personal lives.

Fasting is expected for those who follow Christ.

Who

The entire church family of ROLH will be participating in the fast and we are asking you to join us as we seek God during this time of year.

When

January 1 – 21, 2012

What

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, meaning we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available.  We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple.  We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. *If you ave any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.

How

There are multiple online resources available on the Daniel Fast:

http://www.christ-web.com/missions/farho/daniel-fast

http://danielfast.wordpress.com

• Twice in the book of Daniel a fast is mentioned.  Once is for 21 days and the second for 10 days.  We are asking our congregation to join us in the 21 day fast but if circumstances won’t allow the full fast, we ask that you would set aside 10 days during the fast to join us in prayer and fasting.

Scriptures on Fasting

• Exodus 34:28
• Ezra 10:6
• Deuteronomy 9:18
• Esther 4:16
• 2 Samuel 12:16-17
• Psalms 35:13
• Nehemiah 1:4
• Psalms 69:10
• Ezra 8:2-23
• Isaiah 58:6
• Daniel 9:3
• Daniel 10:3
• Matthew 9:15
• Joel 2:15
• Luke 2:37
• Matthew 4:2
• Acts 13:3
• Matthew 6:16
• Acts 14:23

Foods to include in your Daniel Fast

Fruits

• Apples
• Apricots
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Berries (all kinds)
• Breadfruit
• Cantaloupe
• Cherries
• Coconuts
• Dates
• Figs
• Grapefruit
• Grapes
• Grenadines
• Guava
• Honeydew
• Kiwi
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mangoes
• Melons
• Mulberry
• Nectarines
• Oats
• Olives
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapples
• Plums
• Prunes
• Raisins
• Tangerines
• Watermelon

Vegetables

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chili peppers
• Collard greens
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Ginger root
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Mustard greens
• Okra
• Onions
• Parsley
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Rutabagas
• Scallions
• Spinach
• Sprouts
• Squashes
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Yams
• Zucchini

Legumes

• Dried beans
• Black beans
• Cannelloni
• Pinto beans
• Spit peas
• Lentils
• Back eyed peas
• Green peas
• Kidney beans
• Peanuts (includes natural peanut butter)
• Beans
• Lentils
• Lupines
• White peas

Seeds

• All nuts (raw, unsalted)
• Sprouts
• Ground flax
• Cashews
• Walnuts
• Sunflower
• Sesame
• Almonds
• Natural Almond Butter

Whole Grains

• Whole wheat
• Brown rice
• Millet
• Quinoa
• Oats
• Rolled Oats
• Plain oatmeal (not instant)
• Barley
• Grits (no butter)
• Whole wheat pasta
• Whole wheat tortillas
• Plain Rice cakes

Liquids

• Water (spring, distilled, filtered)
• Unsweetened Soy Milk
• Herbal (caffeine free) Tea
• 100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no added sugar)

Foods To Avoid:  Anything not listed above. Avoid deep-fried foods.  Avoid caffeine.  Avoid anything white (sugar, bread, rice).  Avoid salad dressings and use olive oil & lemon or lime as a substitute.

Thank you for joining us!  Check our blog often for more encouraging updates during the fast!