Year of the Net

In 2024, God is releasing a “Net Breaking Anointing” over our church body collectively, and in the lives of each of us individually. As we prepare to hear from and experience God even greater in this season, I pray that you are planning to participate in our 21 Days of Fasting, Prayer and Consecration experience. We are expecting a mighty move of God as we give this sacrificial offering to the Lord together in unity.

The 21-day fast begins Monday, January 8^th and ends Sunday, January 28^th. As you consider your participation in this spiritual experience, please note that there are 3 fasting options you may choose from:

Option 1: 7-Day Fast

The 7-day Fast is limited to one meal per day for seven consecutive days, eliminating breads, sweets, and unhealthy foods and drinks. If you are doing the 7-day fast, you may begin anytime, as long as your last day falls on or before January 28, 2024.

Option 2: 10-Day Fast

The 10-day Fast will be the Daniel Fast (Daniel 1:12, 10:3). This fast limits food choices to vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans/legumes, healthy oils, nuts/seeds, unleavened bread and seasonings, and water. This option will last for 10 consecutive days. If you are doing the 10-day Daniel fast, you may begin anytime, as long as your last day falls on or before January 28, 2024.

Option 3: 21-Day Fast

The 21-day fast includes a modified diet for 21 consecutive days, where breads, sweets, and unhealthy foods and drinks are eliminated. The recommendation is that you only eat one meal a day during this time period, if you’re able to do so. If you are planning to fast 21 days, you will begin on Monday, January 8^th.

Neither of these options are an absolute fast, where all food and beverages are sacrificed for an extended period of time. Each option offers a partial fast, where unhealthy foods and drinks are stopped for the designated time period. Partial fasting also offers the option for you to choose the number of meals you consume per day.

My recommendation for each option is that you only eat one meal a day, if you’re able to do so. The purpose of fasting is to offer a sacrifice to the Lord for spiritual strengthening. It increases our reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit; so, whatever you choose, make sure it’s a sacrificial offering.

If you are taking medication or have any other reason for needing to eat several meals a day, please do so. If you are under medical supervision, please consult with your physician before participating in the fast. Your health is important.

Some suggested foods for your partial fast include:

• Protein alternatives to meat: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, tofu, split peas, pinto beans and black-eyed peas.
• Vegetables: spinach, kale, broccoli, squash, beets and mostly all other vegetables. Steaming veggies or making/buying salads are the easiest way to incorporate veggies in your diet. All fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned vegetables are acceptable.
• Fruits: All fresh fruits are great. Stay away from fruit cups that say, “in light/heavy syrup.” Dried fruits such as trail mixes are good as well. As long as there’s no added sugar or chocolate. Smoothies and juicing are the easiest way to incorporate fruits in your diet.
• Herbs and spices: all herbs and spices such as parsley, black pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme and garlic are great. Just try to limit your salt intake.
• Oils: healthy oils such as coconut, olive and sesame are best. Cooking oils should be limited. It’s ok to sauté foods, but nothing should be deep fried.
• Nuts and seeds: almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, soy nuts, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachios and poppy seeds are all great.

Suggested foods to AVOID: added sugars, refined grains such as white rice and white flour, processed foods, fried foods, caffeinated drinks, alcohol.

In Matthew 6, Jesus encourages that fasting be done in secret, and that we should go about our day without announcing to others that we are fasting. I encourage you to do the same. Your fasting option is your choice, and it is between you and God. So, let’s do this together in the spirit of unity and oneness, expecting God to do great things in our lives, collectively and individually. Download the Devotional Journal here.

Continued blessings to you,

Pastor Sharon Dean