We are beginning 2021 with a unified fast as a community of believers. Join your Cornerstone Family in a 21 day fast to seek and honor God in the New Year: working together with Him and with each other to see his dreams for us come to fulfillment.  

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Philippians 2:1-16

Types of Fasting

The principle of fasting is to deny oneself of something enjoyed regularly in order to seek the Lord. The type of fast that you choose is between you and God. Allow the Holy Spirit to stretch you when discerning what is the best fast for you. What fast has He led you to participate in?

• Full Fast: drink only liquids for a determined period of time.

• Daniel Fast: no meats, no sweets, no bread, only whole grains. Drink water and/or juices and eat fruits and/or vegetables for a determined period of time.

• Traditional Jewish Fast: follow a full fast from sunrise to sunset for a determined period of time.

• Specific Item Fast: refrain from consuming a specific preferred food or beverage like caffeine, sugar, etc. for a determined period of time.

Tips

• Start with a Clear Goal—When you are approaching a fast it is better to ask yourself, “In response to what am I fasting?” Instead of, “What do I hope that I will get out of it?” What moment have you just experienced or will experience in the near future (I.e. A particularly tough year, a year full of unknowns ahead, or a specific need that you have and etc.)?

• Prepare Your Spirit—Confess sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive anyone who has hurt you and ask forgiveness from anyone you know you have wronged. Remember biblical fasting is a response to a sacred moment that has happened or that is in the near future. It is helpful to remember that fasting is a response and not an instrument.

• Decide What—figure out which type of fast is best for you and commit to it. Remember that the time you are NOT eating you use to read and pray.

• Decide How Long—most people can easily fast from 1-3 days, but you may feel the grace and empowerment to go 14, 21, or 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.

• What to Expect—when you fast, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. You may experience some discomfort such as headaches and irritability as you go through withdrawal from sugar or caffeine. And naturally, you will have hunger pangs and cravings. Exercise in moderation. Take time to rest. You are following the example of Jesus when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship music. Pray often throughout the day. Get away from normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart set on seeking God.

• How to End—don’t overdo when the time comes to end your fast. Resume eating normally at a slow pace.