Legacy Fast 2018 disconnecting from the world reconnecting with God - Fusion City Church
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disconnecting from the world
reconnecting with God
Legacy Fast 2018IntroDUCTION
Since the beginning of our church
in 2008, we have set our hearts
to be a people of prayer. In every
situation, whether good or bad,
we try to pray before we act.
Many times people act first and
then want God to bail them out of
that situation, but prayer should
be our first response, not our last.
I’m convinced most people don’t
enjoy prayer because they have
never been taught how to pray.
When you discover the beauty of
daily conversation with Him, you’ll
experience the presence of God
cOntents that will change your life. Prayer
changes everything! Prayer keeps
Introduction 2 us FRESH!
Goals 3
No matter where you are in your
Types of Fast 4 spiritual journey, you can start
Fast Duration 5 right where you are and expect
FAQs 6 God to move in you and through
you in a powerful way, and this
How to Get Started 9 guide is there to help you.
While Fasting.. 10
Church Gatherings 11 We are believing for great things!
Much love
Prayer Guide 12
Matt & Gill
Reading Plans 15
Prayer Focus 16
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideGoals | Page 3
Goals
As you prepare for the next 14 ___________________________
days, we want to encourage you
to think of some goals or key
___________________________
areas of breakthrough that you ___________________________
are seeking. Limit yourself to 2 or
3 so you can remained focused ___________________________
and open to hearing what God ___________________________
wants to show you in those areas
as you draw closer to Him. ___________________________
___________________________
Make one of your goals a LEGACY
goal. Ask Him to help you leave ___________________________
a Jesus LEGACY. It could be in ___________________________
your marriage, family, workplace,
ministry wise – where do you ___________________________
want to have a LEGACY impact? ___________________________
Make time to pray over these ___________________________
things daily. It doesn’t have to be ___________________________
complicated, simply talk to Jesus.
___________________________
It is helpful to plan a time to pray ___________________________
and to find a place where you can
be free from distractions. ___________________________
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideTYPEs of fast
Choosing your fasting plan is a how it applies to your
very personal decision. We are circumstances and convictions.
all at different places in our walk Fasting does require reasonable
with God and our spirituality precautions. If you have any
should never be a cause for health concerns, please consult
comparison or competition. your physician prior to beginning
your fast – especially if you are
There is nothing more “ inherently taking medication, have a chronic
spiritual” about one type of fast condition, or if you are pregnant
as opposed to another. or nursing.
Your personal fast should present Full Fast
a level of challenge to it, but know A full fast is when no solid food
your body, know your options, is consumed and instead involves
and most importantly, seek God in the intake of liquids, especially
prayer about this and follow what water, vegetable juices, and fruit
the Holy Spirit leads you to do. juices.
It’s also important to not let what Specific Fast
you eat or do not eat become the
focus of your fast. This is a time This type of fast refers to omitting
to disconnect enough with your a specific item(s), activity or habit
regular patterns and habits in from your time of prayer and
order to connect and get closer to fasting. For example, you may
God. choose to eliminate red meat,
processed or fast food, or sweets.
As you read over the information It could also involve fasting
provided here, please consider from an activity or habit, such as
watching TV or using social media.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideFast Duration | Page 5
Fast Duration
Daniel Fast As with choosing what type of
In the book of Daniel, we find fast you will be undertaking, it is
two different times where Daniel important to also decide ahead of
fasted, once in Daniel 1 and again time how long you will be fasting
in Daniel 10. Daniel 1 states that and to what extent you will be
he ate vegetables and water, and fasting.
in Daniel 10, while the passage
does not give a specific list of Some people may choose to fast
foods that Daniel ate, it does state at one level all 14 days, others at
that Daniel ate no rich (or choice) one level for 11 days and then
foods as well as no meat or wine. culminate with a special 3 day
These scriptures are broadly fast at the end. Others may
interpreted but the Daniel Fast choose to fast one week out of
is one of the most commonly the 14 days, or even fast once or
reffered to types of fasts. twice a week throughout the 14
day period.
This is a personal decision and
one that should be prayerfully
considered.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideFAQs
Like prayer and Bible reading, daily lives, there are things that
fasting is one of the spiritual can build up over time and we can
disciplines of followers of Jesus. start to lose our spiritual focus.
Are you wondering what fasting Fasting is like a deep cleaning
is about or just how you can get both spiritually and physically
started? Here are answers to that helps us take our minds
some frequently asked questions off the things of this world and
to help you get your mind around instead gives us a fresh spiritual
fasting, and help you begin this focus. It’s all about drawing closer
powerful experience. to God.
What is fasting? “when you commit
Biblical fasting is, very simply, to your plan
denying oneself food for the
ahead of time, you’ll
sake of seeking God and drawing
closer to Him. Pastor Stovall set yourself up to
Weems says that “prayer is finish strong”
connecting with God; fasting is
disconnecting ourselves from How should I prepare?
the world.” That’s a great way to It’s important to choose ahead
describe how prayer and fasting of time what type of fast you
work so powerfully together. will participate in. Not only will
this help you prepare, but when
Why should I fast? you commit to your plan ahead
of time, you’ll set yourself up
Fasting is like hitting a reset
to finish strong. Choosing your
button, both physically and
fasting plan is a very personal
spiritually. As we go about our
decision. We are all at different
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideFAQs | Page 7
places in our relationship with What about caffiene?
God and we shouldn’t compare Some people like to cut out
our fasting plans to other people. caffiene during their fast but
Pray and ask God. nothing says you “have to”. But
the great thing is, when you fast,
What should I do while your body automatically craves
fasting? less caffeine. If you are wanting to
Do more of the activities that cut it out of your diet completely,
draw you closer to God. Pray. ease yourself off and make it your
Read your Bible. Worship. Get goal to be completely caffeine
alone with God. There are more free by about two-thirds of the
suggestions on the following way into your fast.
pages.
Should I still exercise?
Do I have to fast for 14days? For most people moderate
Do your best but don’t stress. You exercise is okay, but it is best to
should fast as many days as you consult your doctor.
feel God is asking you to fast. If
What if I have an athletic or
you are battling you could give
up certain things like bread and manual labour job?
dessert throughout the week, If you have a job that requires
and then eat only fruits and you to expend a lot of physical
vegetables on the weekends, as energy, you may want to consider
an example. During the 14 days a full fast on the weekends, or a
be sure to set aside time each day partial fast for the duration.
to pray and read your Bible.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideWhat about kids? Being unprepared to fast sets you
Our kids should only be involved up to give into temptation.
from their own heartfelt desire.
We do not recommend that 2.) Make it a priority to attend
children skip meals or drastically church during your 14 day fast
reduce their food intake. Rather and consider getting in a Small
fasting from things like sweets, Group. Being around other
fried food or fast food, TV or believers will encourage you to
gaming would be better. Each day keep on going when fasting gets
make time to pray with them, read difficult.
their Bibles with them, or look
for opportunities to serve others “If you mess up during
during this time. your fast, don’t be
discouraged. Just get
What if I mess up? right back on track &
If you “mess up” during your keep on going”
fast, don’t get discouraged. Just
get right back on track and keep
going. God’s mercies are new
every morning (Lamentations
3:22-23). He wants you to finish,
and He will give you the grace
and strength to do it.
Here are two additional great tips
that can also help to keep you on
track:
1.) Keep your fridge and pantry
stocked with the items you need.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideHow to Get Started | Page 9
HOW to get started
Having a successful fast starts prayerfully consider what your
with the right preparation. It is fast will look like. Your personal
important to choose ahead of fast should include a level of
time what type of fast, or what challenge to it, but it’s very
combination you will pursue. important to know your own body,
know your options, and most
1) Set your objective importantly, seek God in prayer
Begin by deciding why you are and follow what the Holy Spirit
fasting. Are you seeking spiritual leads you to do. Remember, the
renewal, healing, wisdom in a goal of fasting is not just to do
particular area, or the resolution without food. The goal is to draw
of a specific issue? Pick the top nearer to God.
1-3 prayer requests or things you
would like to seek God on. Don’t “Are you seeking
overwhelm yourself and make a spiritual renewal,
laundry list of items. Ask the Holy healing, wisdom in a
Spirit to lead you in deciding and
particular area, or
clarifying your goals for fasting.
the resolution of a
2) Choose your plan specific issue?”
We are all at different places in
our walk with God. Likewise our 3) Decide your schedule
jobs, daily schedules, and health This is your personal decision,
conditions are all different and and again, should be prayerfully
place various levels of demand on considered as it applies to your
our energy. So most importantly, circumstances. Just plan ahead.
whether you’ve fasted before,
or this will be your first time,
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideWhat should I do
while fasting?
1) Read consistently We encourage you to use the
Use a bible reading plan. There SOAP bible study method to gain
are many good ones available. the most out of your bible reading
Speak to one of the pastoral plan.
team if you would like some
suggestions. If you miss a day, S for Scripture
don’t stress, simply pick up at the Read your reading for the day.
next reading and don’t give up.
O for Observation
2) Read prayerfully What do you notice? What stands
out? Note it down and ask for
Talk to God as you are reading
guidance from the Spirit.
and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to
you. Meditating on God’s word is
A for Application
as important as simply reading it.
How can you apply this to your
We have included a prayer focus
life right now? Write it down.
for each day of the fast. Make sure
you have some dedicated time
P for Prayer
each day to pray into these.
Pray into these things and
3) Read expectantly remmeber to not only speak to
God, but to listen to what He
Expect the Holy Spirit to speak to
wants to say to you.
you through God’s word, and then
be prepared to do something with
what He shows you.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideChurch Gatherings | Page 11
Church Gatherings
“For where two or three gather in Small Groups will also gather in
my name, there I am with them.” homes throughout the week to
Matthew 18:20 pray together. Speak to your Small
Group Leader for details.
Join us as we gather as a church
to pray together during our If you’re not part of a Small Group,
Fast. It’s a also a great time to register your interest on the
encourage one another. Group page on Fusion’s website
or at the Info Desk on Sundays.
We wil gather during the week at
the Fusion LifeCENTRE for a time “For where two
of prayer between 6.00-7.00pm or three gather
on:
in my name,
• Wednesday February 7th
• Wednesday February 14th there I am with them”
Matthew 18:20
We will break the fast with a
bring and share meal after the We also encourage you to pray
10am Service on Sunday Feb together with your family or
18th. Please bring a plate of food with friends before work or at
to share. lunchtime. Or come up with other
options to seek God and pray
together throughout the week.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuidePrayer Guide
One day Jesus was praying in a 1) Connect with God
certain place. When He finished, relationally. “Our Father in
one of his disciples said to him, Heaven...”
“Lord, teach us to pray...” (Luke
11:1). “You have not received a spirit
that makes you fearful slaves.
Jesus then said: Instead, you received God’s Spirit
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed when he adopted you as his own
be your name, your kingdom children. Now we call him, “ Abba,
come, your will be done on earth Father” (Romans 8:15 NLT).
as it is in heaven. Give us today God loves for us to call Him our
our daily bread. Forgive us our Father. Establish your intimate
debts, as we also have forgiven relationship with Him and thank
our debtors. And lead us not Him for that relationship.
into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one, for yours is the
2) Worship His
kingdom and the power and the name“Hallowed be your
glory forever” (Matthew 6:9-13). name...”
“God’s name is a place of
We use the Lord’s prayer to guide protection — the righteous can
us in our prayers as this is how run there and be safe” (Proverbs
Jesus taught his desciples to pray. 18:10 MSG).
We can worship God by declaring
his attributes and power. He is
righteous, holy, sovereign and
faithful. He brings truth, peace,
love, mercy, protection and grace.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuidePrayer Guide | Page 13
3) Pray his agenda first 5) Get your heart right with
“Your Kingdom come, Your God and people “Forgive us
will be done on earth as it is in our debts as we forgive our
heaven...” debtors...”
“He will always give you all you “You have not received a spirit
need from day to day if you will that makes you fearful slaves.
make the Kingdom of God your Instead, you received God’s Spirit
primary concern (Luke 12:31 TLB). when he adopted you as his own
children. Now we call him, “ Abba,
When you pray, firstly consider Father” (Romans 8:15 NLT).
God’s agenda - such as saving the God loves for us to call Him our
lost, guiding those in authority, Father. Establish your intimate
teaching God’s word and serving relationship with Him and thank
others. Him for that relationship.
4) Depend on him. 6) Engage in spiritual
“Give us today our daily bread.” warfare. “And do led us into
“My help comes from the temptation but deliver us from
Lord, who made heaven and evil...”
earth!” (Psalm 121:2 NLT). For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the
Ask God for what you want and rulers, against the authorities,
need and then trust Him for the against the powers of this dark
answer. world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly
realms (Ephesians 6:12).
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideTake your stand against the But how can we make prayer a
enemy and fight the good fight of part of our everyday routine?
faith. Every lie that the enemy has We can learn from three things
told you should be replaced with that Jesus did..
the truth of God’s Word.
“Very early in the morning, while
7) Express faith in God’s it was still dark, Jesus got up,
ability. “For yours is he left the house and went off to a
Kingdom and the Power and solitary place, where he prayed.”
the Glory forever......” (Mark 1:35)
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have 1) Find a time
made the heavens and the Jesus got up very early in the
earth by your great power and mornings to spend time with
outstretched arm. Nothing is too God. In order for prayer to work,
hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17). we should do the same - set
aside a certain time. Make a daily
End your prayer time by appointment with God and keep
reminding yourself of God’s it.
ability. Return to praise and make
your faith declarations. 2) Find a place
Your prayer place need to be an
environment free of distractioons
where you can pray aloud or
perhaps listen to worship music.
3) Have a plan
Consider using the Lord’s prayer
to use as your prayer outline.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideSuggested Reading Plans | Page 15
Suggested Reading/
Prayer Plans
There are many free bible reading Robert Fergusson Bible
plans and devotional resources Reading Plan:
that you can follow during your
fast. Monday - Genesis > 2 Samuel
Tuesday - Matthew, Mark, Luke
You can find a great range on the Wednesday - 1 Kings > Song of
YouVersion Bible App or www. Solomon (excluding Psalms)
bible.com. Some good options Thursday - John, Acts, Revelation
include: Friday - Isaiah > Malachi
• ‘Daily Power’ by Craig Saturday - Romans > Jude
Groschel. Can be purchased at Sunday - Psalms
Koorong.
• Robert Fergusson Bible
Reading Plan (see right).
You can also find reading plans
and devotionals that address
specific topics like marriage,
prayer, those new to faith,
leadership, forgiveness and more.
Speak to one of the pastors or
leaders if you would like some
further suggestions.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuidePrayer Focus Everyday Focus
As already mentioned in this • Humble ourselves. Asking for
guide, it is critical to have a prayer forgiveness for our sins.
focus for the duration of your fast.
• Seek God. Declaring our
We have some suggestions for dependance on God in area of
things to pray for each day but our lives.
we have also put together a list
of specific prayer needs - one • His Kingdom Come. Praying
for each day of the fast. We’re for the completion of the
believing for God to do incredible Great Commission to reach all
things as we fast and pray other people and for great revival in
these needs together. our generation.
“Therefore i tell you, • Hear from Heaven. Inviting
the presence of God in our
whatever you ask for
church and in our lives to
in prayer, believe that see people saved, signs,
you have received it, wonders, miracles, healing
and it will be yours” and transformed lives.
Mark 11:24
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideDaily Prayer Focus | Page 17
Daily Prayer Focus
Sunday Feb 04 Operation Christmas Child.
Fast Launch
Saturday Feb 10 - Day 6
Monday Feb 05 - Day 2 The Lost - for family, friends, work
Our Leaders - ACT and National colleagues and others who aren’t
(1 Timothy 2:1-2) saved and don’t know Jesus.
Tuesday Feb 06 - Day2 Sunday Feb 11 - Day 7
Our Church Leaders - pastors, Fusion Sunday service at 10am
fusion staff, Small Group leaders,
ministry leaders, volunteers and Monday Feb 12 - Day 8
eldership board Small Groups - for the leader’s
and for people as they take their
Wednesday Feb 07 - Day 3 next steps. Prayer for high rates
Our City - Canberra churches, of participation and for groups to
government, public service, multiply.
businesses and educational
institutions. Prayer gathering at Tuesday Feb 13 - Day 9
the Lifecentre from 6pm-7pm. Our Children & Young People -
FusionKIDs, FusionTOTs, IGNITE
Thursday Feb 08 - Day 4 Youth and Young Adults.
Our Nation - revival in Australia,
churches and church plants Wednesday Feb 14 - Day 10
Marriages & Families - in our
Friday Feb 09 - Day 5 church and in our city. Prayer
Our World - our Compassion and gathering at the Lifecentre from
Kaliwesi projects in Indonesia. 6pm-7pm.
A21 Walk for Freedom and
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideThursday Feb 15 - Day 11
Fusion’s theme for 2018 -
MORE. Our tenth year as a
church. Pray for our unfolding
LEGACY, provision of finances,
development of leaders, purchase
of an investment property for the
church as a step toward our own
venue.
Friday Feb 16 - Day 12
Your Personal Vision for 2018 -
relationships, ministry and walk
with God, reaching your full
potenial and gorwing into the
MORE God has for me.
Saturday Feb 17 - Day 13
Personal Freedom - breakthrough
in every area of your life!
Sunday Feb 26 - Day 14
Fusion Sunday service at 10am.
We’ll pray and anoint everyone
with oil for the new year. After the
service we will break the fast with
a bring + share meal.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting GuideAcknowledgements | Page 19
Acknowledgements
This guide has been created by
Fusion City Church.
Material in this guide is adapted
with permission from the
God-First Life Network.
Fusion City Church | 2018 Fasting Guide“ T h i s i s t h e co n f i d e n ce we h ave
i n a p p ro a c h i n g G o d : t h a t i f we a s k
a n y t h i n g a cco rd i n g t o h i s w i l l ,
h e h e a rs u s . ”
1 John 5:14
www.fusioncitychurch.com.au
(02) 6156 2497
PO Box 957, Unit 1-2, 85 Hoskins Street,
Gungahlin ACT 2912 Mitchell ACT 2911
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