FASTING AND PRAYING

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Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on February 28, 2009 at 4:20am

FATHER GOD, I COME AND ASK FOR PEACE AND JUSTIS IN OAKLAND CALIFORNIA FOR THIS YOUNG MAN WHO HAS LOST HIS LIFE AT THE HANDS OF THE BART POLICE THERE LORD LET IT BE JUSTICE AND PEACE FOR THE FAMILY OF THIS YOUNG MAN LORD GIVE THE FAMILY SOME KIND OF COMFORT FOR THE LOSS OF THERE SON TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON (RIP) MY SON! AND LORD JUST COVER THIS FAMILY IN THE BLOOD AND PROTECT AND KEEP THE SAFE FROM HARM AND DANGER AND I THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY PRAYER IN JESUS NAME I PRAY AMEN!

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on February 3, 2009 at 8:44pm

FATHER GOD NOW I ASK THAT YOU HEAL SISTER TERI FOR SHE IS ILL TODAY GO AND TOUCH HER LORD AND HEAL HER AND MAKE HER ALL BETTER GOD I ASK THIS AGAIN IN YOUR DARLING SON JESUS NAME I PRAY AND I THANK YOU JESUS I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD BOTH PRAYERS AMEN.

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on February 3, 2009 at 8:41pm

FATHER GOD, I COME ASKING FOR CRYSTAL JONES SHE HAS LOST FAITH LORD I ASK THAT YOU HELP HER SHE THAT SHE NEEDS FAITH AND CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT GIVE HER LIFE TO SATIN BUT ONLY YOU GOD GIVE HER BACK HER SALVATION I ASK AND PRAY IN YOUR DARLING SON JESUS NAME AMEN.

Comment by Kathy Kuhn on January 29, 2009 at 2:25pm

I am asking you all now to Pray for my Twin brother Kerry,he is on his last days with Cancer,I Pray to God that he gets Saved and Be with God as he takes the journey home,I love him and dont want to give him up., but don't want him to suffer anymore either. I want him to be in peace with the Lord my God! I trust in God that he will turn Kerry to him and draw him to the Lord as his personal Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 26, 2009 at 3:42am

FASTING AND PRAYING IS THE BEST WAY TO GET CLOSE TO GOD AND FOR HIM TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS JUST HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS HE WILL ANSWER YOU GOD BLESS YOU ALL WHEN YOU DO DO A FAST LOVE IN CHRIST SIS LISA.

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 19, 2009 at 3:20pm

How to Prepare Yourself Spiritually and Physically?Spiritual Preparation

In preparation for this special time with God, I strongly urge you to examine your heart, and detect any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said:

Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!

Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love. (Psalm 66:16-20)

In your prayers, confess not only obvious sins, but less obvious ones as well. The sins of omission as well as the sins of commission experiences. These may be experiences leaving your first love for our Lord: worldly-mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual indifference, and unwillingness to share your faith in Christ with others, not spending sufficient time in God's Word and in prayer, a poor relationship with your spouse, your children, your pastor, or other members of your church.

Another great way to prepare for your fast is to practice what I call "Spiritual Breathing." The concept is simple, but it has changed my own life and that of millions of others.

Like physical breathing, Spiritual Breathing is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. If you knowingly sin, breathe spiritually to restore the fullness of God's Holy Spirit in your life. You exhale by confessing your sins immediately when you become aware of them, and you inhale by inviting the Holy Spirit to re-take control of your life. As an act of faith, trust Him to empower you. During the fast, spiritual breathing-constant reliance on the Holy Spirit-will enable you to resist temptation, not only to sin but to abandon your fast.
Physical Perparation

Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. You should not fast without specific physical preparation.

If you plan on fasting for several days, you will find it helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether. Resist the urge to have that "last big feast" before the fast. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast will signal your mind, stomach, and appetite that less food is acceptable.

Some health professionals suggest eating only raw foods for two days before starting a fast. I also recommend weaning yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast.

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 19, 2009 at 3:18pm

How Long and What Type of Fast is Right for You?If you have never fasted before, I applaud your present interest! Fasting has been a major emphasis in the lives of many of the great spiritual leaders throughout history. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist denomination, fasted every Wednesday and Friday and required all of his clergy to do the same. Effective ministers of God from the apostle Paul to Martin Luther to John Calvin made it a continual part of their walks with God.

None of those men had a "formula fast" that was the only "right" way. Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days. Each time that I have fasted for forty days, it was because I felt impressed by God to do so.

So, start slowly. Fast for one meal a day, or one day a week, or one week a month. Build up your spiritual muscles so that you will be prepared in a period of several months to fast for an extended 40 day period.
The Bible Recounts Primarily Two Types of Fasts

A partial fast is described in the book of Daniel. Although the water fast seemed to be the custom of the prophet, there was a three-week period in which he only abstained from "delicacies," meat, and wine (Daniel 10:3).

The two primary types mentioned in the Bible are the "absolute" and "supernatural absolute" fasts. These are total fasts-no food (solid or liquid) and no water. Paul went on an absolute fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9). Moses and Elijah engaged in what must be considered a supernatural absolute fast of forty days (Deuteronomy 9:9; I Kings 19:8).

So, I strongly advice you to drink plenty of liquids. Obviously, if God leads you to undertake an absolute fast, you should obey. If so, be certain, without doubt, that God is leading you.

Water-only fasts that last for more than several days need to be undertaken with complete rest and under medical supervision because of the extreme danger of over-toxification, breakdown of vital body tissues, and loss of electrolytes.

I personally recommend and practice water and juice fasting, especially if you are going to fast for an extended period of time. This type of fast will provide you with more energy than absolute or water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid food that you can chew.

When it comes to making your final decision about what type of fast is right for you, the best advise I can give you is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide your heart and mind as to what is best for you. Remember, the most important consideration in fasting is your motive. Why are you fasting? To seek something personally from God's hand or to seek His face in worship, praise and thanksgiving?

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 19, 2009 at 3:17pm

How To Fast Safely.As you begin your fast, you may hear from concerned loved ones and friends who urge you to protect your health. And they are right. You should protect your health. But I assure you, if done properly, fasting will not only prove to be a spiritual blessing, but physical blessing as well.

By all means, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. But, be aware that many doctors have not been trained in this area and so their understanding is limited. Even so, it would be wise to ask your doctor for a physical exam to make sure you are in good health. You may have a physical problem that would make fasting unwise or dangerous. Also, if you are under any type of medication, make sure you talk to your doctor before changing your regime. Prudence and caution are in order.

When you are assured that you are in good health, you are ready to begin your fast. Follow the guidelines in the Physical Preparations and Maintaining Nutritional Balance and Health parts of this website.

In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain persons who should NEVER fast without professional supervision. For example:

* Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated.
* Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders.
* Those who suffer weakness or anemia.
* Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or who have heart disease.
* Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or other important organs.
* Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia.
* Women who are pregnant or nursing.

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 19, 2009 at 3:16pm

Why You Should Fast?If you do not already know of the power and importance of fasting, here are some very important facts:

* Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
* Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
* Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
* Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
* The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
* Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
* Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
* Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14:

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled as I did. You will discover more time to pray and seek God's face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.

Comment by SIS LISA ALFORD on January 19, 2009 at 3:08pm

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