BIBLE READING PLAN
In our modern world, we’ve removed many ancient practices that build robust human beings. Is there a better way to live? A practice that could lead us to wholeness? When we think about monks, we may imagine shaved heads, robes behind cloistered walls, and individuals living their monk life, out of sync with our modern-day lives and practices.
Daily Prayer Focus
Daily Application
1. Lectio (Reading): This is where we begin. We read the Scripture slowly, savoring each word like a delicious meal. We approach the text with reverence and anticipation, allowing the words to sink deep into our souls.
2. Meditatio (Meditation): After reading, we pause to reflect on what we’ve read. We ponder the words, turning them over in our minds like a precious gem, examining them from every angle.
3. Oratio (Prayer): As we meditate on the Scripture, it naturally leads us into prayer. We speak to God about what we’ve read, asking for insight, confessing our shortcomings, or expressing gratitude.
4. Contemplatio (Contemplation): Finally, we rest in God’s presence, allowing the truth we’ve encountered to penetrate our hearts fully.
What Is Fasting?
The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. At City Church California, we encourage fasting for 21 days each year in the month of January.
This is part of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, a season of focused prayer as a church family. You may also choose to fast at other times during the year for your own spiritual development. It’s very typical to fast a single meal, a whole day, or three days or more. The timing of your fast is not as important as the strength of your focus on God as you fast.
ScriptureS On Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 | Matthew 9:14-15 | Luke 18:9-14 | Acts 27:33-37 | Nehemiah 9:1-3
Types of Fasts
Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.