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The Jesus Fast of Forty Days Is Complete!

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Congratulations to everyone who participated in our time of prayer and fasting. Many of you met at the church to minister to the Lord and intercede. Our prayer focus each night was a wedding of the Spirit and Word in our lives and in our church, and the global church; revival and awakening; and a sovereign move of God. Many of you joined in seeking the Lord from March 1 till Thursday April 9 and now we should be asking, How has God answered our prayers? Are we any closer to the Lord now than we were before march 1? Is Jesus any closer to us now? Lastly, in the midst of our pursuit, have we become whole-hearted in our pursuit and devotion to the Lord? These questions become more pointed when I ask them of my self. During the fast I was awakened one night by the Lord asking, What did I want revival to look like in our church? I thought of all the things I wanted to see. Then He asked, Are these things happening in you? (He isn’t called Jehovah-Sneaky for no reason)

Recently I read Lou Engle’s blog for the last day of the Jesus Fast and it was as challenging as always:

And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it… It is the Lord’s Passover… Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.– Exodus 12:7,11,13

Years ago my friend had a dream of a mystic who had entered into the Great Cloud of Witnesses. In the dream, she held a container with letters coming out of it, floating in the air, saying, “Lou Engle now has the gift of faith for the Great Communion Revival.”

Again a dream was given in which another prophetic friend saw a chapel and lines of people as far as you could see were coming to this chapel. In the dream he prophesied, “All the revivals in all of history will not compare to what’s coming in the Great Communion Revival!” 

Do you realize, once again, the brilliance of the Father’s timing of this fast to end on Easter Weekend where the Church celebrates communion worldwide and the global Jewish community celebrates the blood of the passover lamb? The Hebrew calendar and the Church calendar have synchronized in an historic and momentous convergence! C’mon! A global 40-day Jesus Fast converging with a global communion service! Even now, I am connected to networks touching the whole globe and literally tens of millions will be taking communion at the end of this fast. Could this be the beginnings of the Great Communion Revival? 

Just as in the days of the Egyptian captivity, when a plague broke out, slaying all the firstborn of the land, a global plague has now broken out, slaying thousands around the world. In those days, the sprinkled blood of a lamb was more powerful than the plague, setting the Israelites free. Is not the blood of the Eternal Lamb of God even more powerful and, when applied in faith by the Church worldwide, will it not obliterate this present pandemic and set millions of captives free from the bondage of sin and death?

Who could have guessed that we would be living this moment in a worldwide pandemic similar to the plague during the first Passover. I believe Jesus is setting up the most glorious Passover moment in history. We are calling on this final day of fasting, April 9th, men and women who are now quarantined in their homes, like the early Jews who were in their homes on Passover night, to take communion and celebrate the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. We are calling far and wide for the Church to apply the blood to the doorposts of their personal guilt, their family guilt, and their national guilt, and plead the power of that blood over the virus. Then, with the rod of authority like the rod of Moses, let the Church declare to this virus, this messenger of death, “Enough! Restrain your hand!” Let the Church declare, “Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea!” Let the Church declare, “This Coronavirus will be cut short!” Let the Church declare, “You will no longer hinder the evangelistic explosion going forward in the year 2020!” Let the Church declare to the masses of lost, seething humanity, “Go free in the name of Jesus!”

“And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” – 1 John 5:8

On the cross, the Passover Lamb was slain and the precious blood was poured out for the sins of the world. 50 days later, on the day of Pentecost (Hallelujah!), the Spirit bore witness to the blood. “They were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

Friends, do you see it? On this weekend of the great worldwide communion service, the blood of Jesus will be exalted. Then, what if the Church worldwide will pray for 50 days for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the season of Pentecost in 2020? Will not God respond with a mighty baptism that will hurl forth witnesses to the ends of the earth?! It will be called the Great Communion Revival.

So on this final day of the fast, meet with a few friends if possible (in accordance with government regulations), let Jesus say to you, as He said to His disciples on that night, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15)! Feel His Presence in your midst and eat of the broken body and poured out blood of your Savior. Apply that blood over your company and over your nation and then stand as an Ekklesia ruling body and resist that virus in the mighty name of Jesus. Then pray together with mighty faith and command the doors to be opened for the most glorious evangelistic missional assault on the gates of Hades this world has ever seen! Then, my brothers and sisters, pray for a mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit, from which you go now and preach the gospel!

Thank you once again for following me on “This dream trek, on this horrible, wonderful highway of commanding destiny” (Mark Rutland), called The Jesus Fast. Hopefully it has changed your life, and hopefully, it won’t be your last.Please join me as I will continue blogging periodically as the Holy Spirit directs at thejesusfast.global/.

May this Sunday’s Drive-In Church be an answer to the prayers, and cries of our heart. May it truly be a Resurrection Day for Bethany. Don’t forget to invite your family, friends and neighbors to this event. Lord willing I will see you this Sunday and hopefully we can to the elbow greeting. God bless you and your family this Resurrection Weekend!

Breaking the Fast

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Lou Engle offers the following guidelines for breaking your fast. Trust his words. I have learned the hard way over the years that there is a right way and a wrong way to come off a fast.

Lou Engle: This addendum is to provide you with a guide for how to break a fast in a healthy and safe way. This guide is provided by a good friend of mine named Dr. Vaughn Lawrence, who is a naturopath doctor. He has done extended fasting, has studied the subject, and can equip you on how to break a fast and better understand the health dimensions of lifestyle fasting. I am glad to direct you to this video and written article on the spiritual and physical wisdom of breaking a fast. If you have fasted with just water, make sure to watch this video.

Wisdom should be considered when breaking a fast. Too many have reported severe pain, discomfort, cramping, and even death when giving themselves over to appetite too quickly.

“…only a wise man knows how to break a fast.” – George Bernard Shaw

We must understand that in fasting, the body shuts down all digestive processes as it goes into “house-cleaning” mode to begin the healing of damaged cells, tissues, and organs at a deep level. Throwing too much food into the body too quickly can throw the body into shock and the consequences can be severe physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

This addendum is to provide you with a guide for how to break a fast in a healthy and safe way. This guide is provided by a good friend of mine named Dr. Vaughn Lawrence, who is a naturopath doctor. He has done extended fasting, has studied the subject, and can equip you on how to break a fast and better understand the health dimensions of lifestyle fasting. I am glad to direct you to this video and written article on the spiritual and physical wisdom of breaking a fast. If you have fasted with just water, make sure to watch this video.

Wisdom should be considered when breaking a fast. Too many have reported severe pain, discomfort, cramping, and even death when giving themselves over to appetite too quickly.

“…only a wise man knows how to break a fast.” – George Bernard Shaw

We must understand that in fasting, the body shuts down all digestive processes as it goes into “house-cleaning” mode to begin the healing of damaged cells, tissues, and organs at a deep level. Throwing too much food into the body too quickly can throw the body into shock and the consequences can be severe physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control .” – Galatians 5:22-23 

“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28

The Bible makes it clear that to show we have given the Lord control over our spirit is to tame the flesh, especially when it comes to food and appetite. Fasting is difficult, but we do it out of desire to pursue the Lord’s heart, practice self-control, and receive revelation from the Lord. However, consider this: it is more difficult to break a fast with self-control than to actually fast! I completed a 40-day water fast one time and was way too proud of myself for this accomplishment. As I lay in bed, weak, emaciated, and barely able to think or move, I heard the Lord as clear as ever before in my life and it struck my heart like a dagger. He said, “I don’t just want your 40 days, I want your every day.”

John the Baptist was known most for his lifestyle of prayer and fasting that ushered in the first coming of Christ. As we earnestly seek the second coming of Christ, the Lord is going to raise up a generation of John the Baptists who will choose the spirit over the flesh by seeking to walk out self-control in all aspects of life. This allows the Lord greater access to our hearts so that He can move through us not just during a fast but afterward as well.

It is important to seek the Lord on how He would have you transition after extended fasting as it is all too easy to find ourselves deep into self-indulgence within a very short matter of time. I strongly believe that what we do after a fast is just as important to the Lord as what we do during a fast. In such a time as this, the Lord is calling a generation to draw near through a lifestyle of prayer and fasting. This will look different for each of us as we answer His call.

Here are some tips for breaking a fast. The level of caution you need to exercise is dependent upon the depth and length of your fast. Short fasts that include food require less caution, but should still refrain from bouncing back to indulgence. Longer fasts on juice or water require extreme caution to avoid serious consequences.

1. BREAKING A WATER FAST :

– Water fasts should be broken with fresh juice only, in small amounts, approximately 4 oz. every 1-2 hours the first day and 8 oz. every 1-2 hours the second and third days.

– The best juices for breaking a water fast are from raw fruits and vegetables. The best are orange, watermelon, grape or pineapple. Note: I do not recommend breaking a water fast with apple juice because it can cause severe pain and cramping . Cucumber, celery, and other green juices are good as well, or a combination of fruits and vegetable juices.

– When breaking a water fast, spend a minimum of 3-5 days on only juices before eating solid foods. The solid foods can be the same as those listed below as when breaking a juice fast.

2. BREAKING A JUICE FAST :

– Juice fasts should be broken with raw fruits and vegetables, blended warm soups, steamed vegetables, or small amounts of broth. Keep it blended and easy to digest for at least a week or more. Eat very small portions every couple of hours so you don’t become too ravenous with appetite.

– As a general rule of thumb, eat fruits, vegetables, and greens (raw or cooked) for at least 2 weeks following a fast. Continue to avoid grains, fats, starches, and proteins. Please add these foods back in slowly and intelligently so you don’t shock your body.

3. THE DANGER PERIOD:

– The 2 weeks following a fast is called the “danger period”. Ravenous and extreme voraciousness must be kept under control, which can last approximately 2 weeks. This desire will disappear after 2 weeks and is an excellent exercise in practicing self-control.

– On a physical level, voracious eating after a fast is not only dangerous, but can undo much of the benefits of the fast related to healing, tissue regeneration, and reversing the sickness and disease processes that occur in the human body.

– It is estimated that you should take nearly just as long to return to a normal diet of foods as you chose to fast. I encourage people to follow a Biblical diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and clean meats as advised in Leviticus 11 for long-term health.

If you are familiar with the ancient desert fathers, these monks were warriors who were always encountering the demonic and fighting for people and cities in the land. When another monk named Abba Pambo approached the great Abba Anthony and said: “Give me a word Father,” Abba Anthony responded, “… keep your tongue and your belly under control.”

I believe a fasted lifestyle can separate us from the temptations of this world and is absolutely crucial for what is coming in the next move of the Lord. God is looking for empty vessels and fasting is a great way to empty yourself out before the Lord. God bless you in your journey with the Lord!

Please watch our video for more information on breaking a fast: youtube.com/watch?v=dvKi2Fynrsw

Jesus Fast Guidelines

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We are amazed at the response of tens of thousands who are joining together for The Jesus Fast. Prayer and fasting are gifts from God to reset the compass of our hearts toward Him and focus our intercession for a breakthrough. I believe these next 40 days will shake the nations and prepare us to be sent into all the world to proclaim the Good News! I know many of you are doing your very first extended fast.  Praise God for your obedience!  Please read over these guidelines from my website and prepare your heart and body in these next days leading up to the fast.
With this call to enter into extended fasting, we must prepare ourselves adequately so that the fast can honor God and fulfill its purpose. I want to share some thoughts from our own experiences to help and encourage you.
 1. Seek medical advice if you are older or have health challenges 
2. Fast and pray to humble yourself and purify your worship – In Fasting we are not trying to get something from God; we are seeking to realign our hearts’ affections with His. We do holy violence to the “pleasures which wage war against the soul,” opening the way for a greater submission to the Holy Spirit. Lust is a perverse form of devotion. Fasting enables us to cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts from such idols.
 3. Take time to pray and read the Word – This may seem obvious, but busyness and distractions can keep you from devotions. Reading books with testimonies of victories gained through fasting will encourage you. Register at TheJesusFast.com to schedule your fast and receive encouragement by email.
 4. Have a clear target for prayer focus – Without a vision (a clear, prophetic prayer goal), the people perish. During a fast, I have four or five prayer goals I have clearly articulated. When I am not deeply motivated by a clear goal, I usually fast until breakfast! Write down your vision so you can run with it.
 5. Do the fast with someone else – Two are better than one! We encourage young people to talk this through with their parents before starting the fast. Parents and kids should consider fasting together.
 6. Do not give in to condemnation if you fail – The “to fast or not to fast” dilemma can be a major tool of the enemy. Even though you may fail several times, God always extends grace. Hit reset and resume right where you left off.
 7. Husbands and wives, consider sexual abstinence for the sake of prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5)
8. Determine the length in advance of the fast, not after you start• – A total fast is without water. This is extremely hard on the body. Do not go beyond three days.
• A water-only fast is a very challenging but deeply spiritual experience. Many people can endure forty days on water alone, though this is dependent on one’s weight and metabolism.
• A fruit and vegetable juice fast allows you to enter into fasting but still gives enough energy to function. Most people can do a forty-day juice fast. Out of consideration for their health and metabolism, I encourage teenagers to drink juice and protein drinks to sustain them.
 9. Prepare physically – Two days before your fast, limit your intake of food to fruit and vegetables. Fruits are natural cleansers and easy to digest. Stop drinking coffee before the fast. Prepare yourself for mental discomforts such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect physical discomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches and different kinds of pains. The headaches are not necessarily a sign to stop fasting. Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities.
 10. Prepare for opposition – On the first day of your fast, you can bet doughnuts will somehow show up at the office or in class. Your spouse (or mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favorite meals. Take this as encouragement from God to press ahead! Many times you may feel increased emotional tension at home. My fasts are just as difficult on my wife as they are on me. Satan tempted Jesus on His fast, and we must expect the same. Discouragement may come in like a flood, but recognize the source and take your stand upon the victory of Christ.
 11. Fast in secret – Do not boast about your fast, but do not go to extraordinary lengths to mask it when people inquire; if necessary, just let them know you will not be eating. The bigger deal you make of it, the more attention you draw. Be discreet, be transparent, then move humbly along.
 12. Break the fast over several days with fruit juice and/or light soups
On a light juice fast or a water fast, your digestive system shuts down. It can be dangerous if you eat too much too soon. Break such a fast gently with several days of diluted, nonacidic juice, then regular juice, followed by fruit and vegetables. When breaking one of my early water fasts, I ate too much too quickly and almost needed hospitalization. Be careful!
 13. Feel free to rest a lot and to continue to exercise
14. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not fast, PERIOD
15. Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, dreams, visions, and revelations – Daniel prepared himself to receive revelation through fasting (Daniel 10:1-3). Scripture also speaks of a fasting reward (Matthew 6:18). Expect God to fellowship and communicate with you in special ways.
 16. Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it – Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is my conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded.