TIPS AND TRICKS TO GETTING SHREDDED THIS FASTING SEASON

The Shred is a plan to read the Bible in 30 days.

1. We are looking for big motif. The point of this style of
reading is to see the big picture so read or listen quickly—and don’t feel guilty about it.

2. How d you eat an elephant? Piece by piece. Read or listen in spurts throughout your day will help.

3. Purchase the official SHRED Devotional from Amazon! Follow Link https://amzn.to/40fkgDi

4. Keep track of your progress in THE SHRED plan on the YouVersion app. When using You Version, up the speed to gain more ground.

5. Accountability! DO it with a friend.

Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline practiced by many biblical figures, including Jesus, Moses, Daniel, and Paul. It serves as a powerful tool for spiritual growth, self-control, and alignment with God's will. Here’s a guide to help you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice.

Understanding the Purpose of Fasting

1. Spiritual Formation: Fasting is not about achieving a spiritual gift, anointing, or calling. Rather, it is a way to release and fully embrace the spiritual resources already given to us by God.

2. Obedience and Miracles: As illustrated by the story of "casting the net on the other side," there is a miracle in obedience. Fasting aligns our will with God's, opening the door for miraculous interventions in our lives.

3. Mental and Emotional Health: Fasting can aid mental clarity and emotional healing. When combined with prayer, it can help address mental health concerns and bring peace to your mind.

Types of Fasting

1. Sunup to Sundown Fast: Similar to a Jewish fast, where you refrain from eating during daylight hours.
   
2. One-Day, Three-Day, or Extended Fasts: Depending on what you feel led to do, fasts can range in duration. Consider your health and life circumstances when deciding on the length. Over 21 days you could pick 2 or more days a week to do juice only on those days.

3. Intermittent Fasting: Skipping one or several meals periodically. This can be integrated into your weekly routine, such as fasting two or three meals a week.

Preparing for a Fast

1. Spiritual Readiness: Enter into fasting with prayer and intention. Focus on seeking God's guidance and aligning your heart with His will.

2. Physical Considerations: Consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have any health concerns like diabetes. Ensure you prepare your body by possibly decreasing meal sizes leading up to the fast.

3. Setting Intentions: Clearly identify what you are fasting for, whether it’s for spiritual clarity, direction, breaking of personal or familial cycles, or intercession for others.

During the Fast

1. Prayer and Scripture Reading: Combine your fasting with dedicated times of prayer and scripture study(THE SHRED 😘) to deepen your spiritual experience.

2. Generosity and Forgiveness : As noted in Isaiah 58, fasting should be accompanied by acts of charity and kindness toward others. Consider how you can serve and help those in need during your fasting period.

3. Mindfulness and Reflection: Avoid distractions and engage in meditation or quiet reflection. Limit exposure to media and let go of critical or negative speech.

Ending a Fast

1. Ease Back into Eating: Gradually reintroduce food to your diet, starting with light meals or foods that are gentle on your stomach.

2. Reflect on Your Experience: Spend time reflecting on what God has taught you through the fast and how it has impacted your spiritual journey.

3. Thanksgiving and Praise: Conclude your fast with a heart of gratitude, thanking God for His presence, guidance, and the opportunity to grow closer to Him.

Ongoing Practice

1. Regular Fasting: Develop a lifestyle that incorporates regular fasting as a discipline. This can maintain spiritual sensitivity and strength.

2. Community and Support: Engage with your church or spiritual community for encouragement.

3. Balance and Moderation: Remember that fasting should complement a well-rounded spiritual life that includes prayer, study, worship, and service.

Fasting is a meaningful way to seek God and practice the ways of Jesus. Through fasting, you can develop a deeper spiritual life and become an instrument of God’s peace and power in the world.

While fasting empties us of distractions to allow us to better feel Gods presence in our life, Prayer is the tool that connects us to God. Fasting without prayer is just dieting that sucks. Prayer is the discipline that transforms it into a spiritual encounter with the creator.

1. Understand the Purpose of Prayer
Before diving into the specific steps, it's essential to grasp why prayer is valuable:
- Communication with God: At its core, prayer is a conversation with God, allowing you to express gratitude, seek guidance, and share your concerns.
- Spiritual Growth: Prayer helps you align your life with God’s will and cultivates a sense of peace and purpose.
- Community and Intercession: Prayer enables you to support others spiritually and express love for your community through intercession.

2. The Structure of Prayer
A useful framework is the ACTS model, which stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

3. Personalizing Your Prayer Time
- Create a Sacred Space: Designate a quiet, comfortable place for prayer to help minimize distractions.
- Set a Routine: Choose a specific time each day to devote to prayer, which can help you build a consistent habit.
- Use a Journal: Consider keeping a prayer journal to record your conversations with God, track prayer requests, and note any answers or insights you receive.

4. Incorporating Scripture
- Pray with the Bible: Use passages of scripture as a foundation for your prayers. This aligns your requests and praises with biblical truths. A good place to start is with the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
- Meditative Reading: Spend time reflecting on verses that resonate with you during prayer, seeking deeper understanding and application in your life.

5. Intercessory Prayer
- Pray for Others: Dedicate a portion of your prayer time to intercede for family, friends, community leaders, and global issues.
- Prayer Lists: Maintain a list of prayer requests and updates to ensure you cover the concerns you and others have in mind.

6. Listening to God
- Silence and Reflection: After speaking, allow time for silence, inviting God to speak back to you through thoughts, feelings, or scripture.
- Be Open to Inspiration: Sometimes God communicates through unexpected means. Be attentive to His voice in your daily life activities and observations.

7. Continuous Prayer
- Pray Without Ceasing: Integrate prayer into your daily routine—not just set times but also spontaneous moments of communication, like giving thanks or asking for guidance throughout your day.

8. Community in Prayer
- Join Group Prayers: Participate in community prayers or small group meetings to share in collective prayer, which can be encouraging and uplifting. We will be meeting on Wednesday nights, 7th, 14th and 21st. at 7pm for nights of prayer.
- Mentorship and Guidance: Seek guidance from other believers who can offer support and possibly new insights into your prayer life.

Prayer is a dynamic and personal experience that grows and evolves over time. By fostering a disciplined approach while remaining open to the Holy Spirit's leading, you can deepen your relationship with God and enhance your spiritual journey. Remember that the power of prayer comes not from the words we use, but from the heart and faith behind them.