Day of Fasting: That we might humble ourselves before God 

Why should you fast? 

1. Fasting increases our sense of humility and dependence on the Lord (Ezra 8:21). 2. Fasting allows us to give more time to prayer. 
2. Fasting expresses earnestness and urgency in our prayers. 
3. Fasting is training in self-discipline (1 Peter 4:1-4). 
4. Fasting heightens spiritual and mental alertness and a sense of God's presence (Acts  13:2, 2). 

What is fasting?  

Fasting is abstaining from food for a defined period of time. 

How should you fast on July 24th?  

1. Pray ahead of your fast and ask others to pray for success and the Lord's overflowing  grace. 
2. Pray for Stephanie Peters, Jo Fraser and Patsey Sadler as they continue serving at  Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Pray for Corissa Santos and Heidi Davis as they work  to grow the impact of the garden ministry. And pray for spiritual awakening and a  growing hunger for the Lord in our church. 
3. Abstain from eating food from sunrise to sunset (from approximately 5:45am to  8:45pm). 
4. Use the time you would have spent preparing meals and/or eating meals to pray. 5. Avoid liquid calories. Don't stuff yourself the night before. Eat a light meal when  breaking your fast. 

How should nursing moms, people who work physically demanding jobs, and diabetics fast? 

1. Eat simple meals without  
2. Instead of abstaining from food completely; abstain from all TV, movies, internet usage,  text messages, and phone calls (the non-essential stuff). Use the time you would have  spent on screens or in communication praying. 
3. Instead of gathering with co-workers for meal time, spend the time in solitude and  meditation on the word of God. 

Hungering for the Lord along with you all, 

Vergil