END OF YEAR || Fast Prep
2 Samuel 12:16-25 New King James Version
16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”
19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”
And they said, “He is dead.”
20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”
22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, 25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.
A True/Scriptural Fast Prioritizes Pleasing the Lord
2024 IS THE YEAR OF BLESSING || Be Fruitful and Multiply
This year we grew in the stewardship of more of the Lord’s voice, presence, purpose and authority
We have learned how to TEND the Garden of Our Hearts
We have learned how to SOW the Seeds of Blessing
We have resolved to ABIDE in Christ and bear His fruit alone
We will continue to HARVEST the Fruit of Blessing in our lives, homes, and city
We will not move on or away from the blessing of the Lord in 2025
Rather in 2025 the Lord will continue to build upon what He has been working in our lives, homes, and city
East Gate’s 2025 Corporate Fast
As I sought the Lord for 2025 I strongly sensed the Lord invite East Gate into a 21-Day Corporate Daniel Fast
Starting on First Sunday, January 5th, 2025 and ending on Vision Sunday, January 26th, 2025
A Quick Overview of what a Daniel Fast Entails
Avoiding
Animal products/byproducts (meant, poultry, eggs, dairy, honey, etc.)
Processed foods
Caffeine and alcohol
Eat
Fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, lentil, edamame, etc)
Nuts and seeds
Some may feel led to liquid fast, or restrict their fast further, as always, HEAR God’s voice, CONNECT with His heart, and OBEY
Abstaining from things other than food, while not technically a fast, can still result in spiritual growth
I am not asking anyone to pray if they should fast, but rather how they should fast
Matthew 6:16a New King James Version
16 “Moreover, when you fast…
Not Every Fast Pleases the Lord
Isaiah 58:3&5 New King James Version
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And [drive hard]exploit all your laborers.
…
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?
THE BLOOD, BODY, AND CROSS OF JESUS MAKES US FOREVER RIGHT IN GOD’S SIGHT
This does not mean that everything that we do is PLEASING in His sight
True Fasting is When You Deny Your Flesh What it Finds Pleasing in Order to Become Pleasing Unto the Lord
WHAT IS MY FLESH?
The part of us that believes that we deserve whatever we want, whenever we want, and as much we want, at all times
Food, sleep, pleasure, revenge, etc.
Daniel 10:3,11&19 New King James Version
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
PLEASANT - HAMAD (H2530)
to desire, covet, take pleasure in, delight in
(Qal) to desire
(Niphal) to be desirable
(Piel) to delight greatly, desire greatly
desirableness, preciousness
What is a Scriptural Fast?
SUM (H6684)
to abstain from food, fast
NESTEUO (G3522)
to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days
A Scriptural Fast is the Choice to Avoid Certain Food(s) and/or Drink(s) in Order to Grow Spiritually
Intentional - You decide in advanced why, and for how long, you will fast
Self-Controlled - You determine what food(s) and/or drink(s) you will avoid
Spiritual - although there are many kinds of health benefits to fasting, scriptural fasting is for our spiritual health
Scriptural Fasting is Denying Your Flesh to Feed Your Spirit
John 3:30 New King James Version
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
More of the PRESENCE OF GOD is the treasure of FASTING
Different Kinds of Scriptural Fasts
Full Fast – choosing NOT to eat or drink
Exodus 34:28 (Moses) - 40 Days
Esther 4:16 – 3 Days
1 Kings 19:8 (Elijah) – 40 Days
Matthew 4:2 (Jesus) – 40 Days
Water Fast – choosing ONLY to drink WATER
Unless otherwise described, this is the fast assumed to be practiced in scripture when we read of someone fasting
Partial Fast – choosing to avoid certain categories of food and drink
Daniel 1:12 – 10 Days
Daniel 10:2-3 – 21 Days
Matthew 3:4
Corporate and Personal Fasts
Corporate fasts are more common in scripture than personal fasts, yet both have an important place in the life of a disciple of Jesus
Three Supernatural Results of Fasting
1. REVELATION
Direction in Uncertain Circumstances
Ezra 8:21 New King James Version
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
Prophetic Revelation & Interpretation
Daniel 10:1-3 New King James Version
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Discerning the Call of God Upon Our Lives
Acts 13:2-3 New King James Version
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
2. REPENTANCE
Joel 2:12-13 New King James Version
12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Healthy Way to Mourn
(Sin, brokeness, death, etc.)
2 Corinthians 7:10 New King James Version
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Acceptable Means of Humbling Ourselves
1 Kings 21:25-29 New King James Version
25 But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. 26 And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
27 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.
28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
3. RESCUE
Deliverance
Matthew 17:19-21 New King James Version
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your [little faith]unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
The Motivations Behind a True Fast
1. Denying Your Flesh
Isaiah 58:3-5 New King James Version
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And [drive hard]exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?
Our fast should NOT be a day our FLESH finds pleasure
Extreme Examples: Ice cream fast, junk food liquid fasts
Fasting what is convenient or what we can achieve in our own strength
Intermittent fasters narrowing their eating window slightly
Love meat too much to do a Daniel fast so you rename slap a fasting label on your carnivore diet
Fasting differently day to day depending on our mood/flesh
Temporarily breaking/changing our fast when there is something we want to participate/indulge in
Our fast should NOT make life harder for the people around us
Your family has to tiptoe around your HANGRY behind for 21 days
Everyone in your household has to fast in the SAME WAY because you don’t think it's fair if they don’t
Our fast should NOT be about making our voice heard on high
I want God to do _______ so I am going to fast until He does it
God owes me ________ so I am going to fast until He gives it to me
These fasts will not be seen/noticed by God
God will not be manipulated by your hunger strike
You will starve to death in bitterness and resentment
2. Feeding Your Spirit
NOTHING FEEDS MY SPIRIT LIKE COMING INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUTH OF GOD
When we fast, God will expose UNHEALTHY and DYSFUNCTIONAL areas of our lives
Sometimes when we DENY our flesh and FEED our spirit, we realize that we bit off more than we can chew…
Fasting COMBINED WITH confession, repentance, prayer and the word is how we survive these moments
Remember that His GRACE is made PERFECT in our WEAKNESS - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Isaiah 58:6 New King James Version
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
Fast to so that our bonds of wickedness may be LOOSED
To loose/break the ungodly soul ties in our lives
Fornication - chemical/physical bonds
Codependency - emotional bonds
We also must humble ourselves in fasting so that we can IDENTIFY, CONFESS, and REPENT from the ways we have bound/controlled others
Manipulation - influencing how someone feels (guilty, confused, or pressured) in order to get them to do something
Ultimatums - attempting to force someone to make a decision with the threat of a negative consequence
Intimidation - choosing to make someone feel scared or nervous in order to pressure them into doing something
Fast so that our heavy burdens may be UNDONE
Break partnership with lies and ways of life are needlessly burdensome
I must earn/keep my salvation with good works
I cannot mess up if I want people to love, accept, or honor me
If people found out what I struggle with they would abandon me
Free people from the burdens of our unhealthy expectations
Uncommunicated expectations
Unrealistic expectations
Unhealthy expectations
Emotional incest - children expected to meet the emotional needs of their parents
Fast so that the oppressed go FREE and our yokes are BROKEN
God desires to bring us into greater inner healing from past trauma
God desires to deliver us from addiction and bondage
God desires to deliver us from evil and the demonic
Stop Fasting to Get Something From God, & Start Fasting to Please Him
2 Samuel 12:16-25 New King James Version
16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”
19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”
And they said, “He is dead.”
20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”
22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, 25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.
David’s Situation
David avoids his responsibility to go to war in the spring as King
Sees Bathsheba, the wife of one of his mighty men/closest friends, bathing on her roof
Sleeps with her, and kills her husband/his friend to cover up her pregnancy and his betrayal
God gives David a YEAR to repent before He sends the Prophet Nathan to confront David
Nathan tells David a story that infuriates the king
David doesn’t realize that he condemns himself when he pronounces judgement on the man in the story
Nathan exposes David’s sin
David repents and his life is spared, but there are unavoidable consequences as a result of the past year of pride and a hardened heart
David’s Response
David pleads with God for the life of the child conceived in sin
David enters the tabernacle, humbles himself before God, and fasts for 7 days
David’s Heart
David refused to break his fast, even when he was given multiple opportunities to
The elders of his house tried to lessen his pain/suffering
It is strange to me how many people in your own community will try to talk you out of denying your flesh
After the child died, David did FIVE THINGS BEFORE BREAKING HIS FAST
Arose
Fasting is an acceptable and supernatural fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8), that allows you to get up again after falling down
Proverbs 24:16 New King James Version
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Washed
When we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive and CLEANSE us
1 John 1:9 New King James Version
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Anointed himself
King Saul was anointed by the same prophet, and to the same position, as David, but lost it all when his sin was confronted
1 Samuel 15:19-20 New King James Version
19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20 And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
King Saul hardened his heart in pride and refused to confess and repent
King David humbled himself, confessed and repented before the Lord and could continue to walk in the anointing upon his life remained
Changed his clothes
David did not wear his mourning clothes forever
He would forever feel the loss of his child, but he would not WEAR the grief for longer than he necessary
His sorrow was a godly one, that lead to repentance and salvation, NOT DEATH
WORSHIPPED
Even though David experiences NO IMMEDIATE supernatural results when he fasted, he still WORSHIPPED the Lord before breaking his fast
David chose not to break his fast in a spirit different from the one that led him into his fast
TESTIMONY || 21 Day Daniel, Liquid, Water Fast
Did not FEED my spirit = miserable and heard NOTHING from God
Broke the fast in GLUTTONY = worse night of vomiting, maybe in my life
David’s servants could not understand his behavior
How could he respond this way after the death of his SON!
They couldn’t understand David’s HEART AFTER GOD
David sought the Lord’s mercy, but understood that the TREASURE of fasting is God’s PRESENCE
Psalm 51:11 New King James Version
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
God’s Presence
After David comforted his wife Bathsheba she became pregnant again
It is only AFTER his fast, that for the FIRST time, the Lord refers to Bathsheba as David’s wife
Fasting is an ACCEPTABLE fruit of repentance
Then God comforted David and Bathsheba through the Prophet Nathan
His PRESENCE would not only remain with David, but also with Solomon
David, even after this FAILURE, would still be remembered as PLEASING in the sight of God
1 Kings 15:4-5 New King James Version
4 Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; 5 because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
Acts 13:22 New King James Version
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
