Our 21-day Fast
In two days, we begin a 21-day fast together as a church. Here is a quick video with some details. In the video, I address the following two links that will be helpful in understanding why we are fasting and how to fast. The first link below is from Campus Crusade for Christ. It is a very helpful and detailed site regarding fasting. Please take some time to read over this link, especially if you have never fasted before.
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
The second link is the reason we are fasting as a church:
http://blog.buckheadchurch.org/2009/12/22/what-bothers-me-about-our-church/
There are certainly different kinds of fasts. I would encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to lead you to what you should fast from. For example, over the next 21 days many of us are going to fast from sweets, bread, sugar and soft drinks eating mostly fruits and vegetables instead. This may not work for you depending on your health situation. This is why the first link above will be very helpful. Take some time, read through it, pray over it and decide what you want to fast from. If you’re joining us on the fast, comment here on the blog and let us know. Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Jeff
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21 Day Fastposted
dec 30, 2009by Buckhead Church
January 2, 2010 at 9:54 am
Jeff -
I’m a day late – sorry, but I’m in for the next 20 days! I’ve never fasted before and am excited to be a part of one. I’m going to do a similar fast to you and get rid of all processed foods and drinks in my diet. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at church.
I hope that you’re all having a wonderful New Year so far -
Amy
January 2, 2010 at 10:35 am
My husband and I are in as well. The timing is no coincidence as we will be facing a Giant in the next month or so. I have never had my faith so rocked as it has been over the past year and I need my heavenly father now more than ever.
I love our church and am open and surrendered to see what God has in store for us corporately and individually. Thanks for doing this Jeff.
January 2, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Christy – I will be praying for you and your husband over the days of the fast. Praying that the giant will be moved and God’s will done.
Thanks for being a part of the journey here.
Jeff
January 2, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Amy – you’re not late at all. Glad you’re in. Daniel only fasted 10 days in the Old Testament. :-)
Thanks again for joining in.
Happy New Year!
Jeff
January 2, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Jennifer – I totally understand the pain of going without Coca-Cola. I was raised in Atlanta! But so glad you’re with us and eager to see us all grow in our dependence on God.
Steven – great idea about fasting from purchases.
Chip — hope you can join us as we end the fast with Night of Worship on Jan. 21.
Jeff
January 2, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Shon — that’s strong. Thanks.
Nicole – that’s big. I’ve never had a Red Bull but I know it’s tough to break the habit of the energy it provides.
Lee — I hope the first two days are going great.
So excited about this.
Jeff
January 3, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Jeff,
I’m starting today. :)
First 3 days fast from food water.
18 days vegetables
All 21 days Facebook, Twitter, Movies, and TV. :)
Pray for: Direction in life, draw closer, and I have to think about this more. So I’m sure there will be more :)
January 3, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Hey Jeff!
I am so excited that you are encouraging us to fast for 21 days. I saw your email and immediately decided that this was the time to finally fast. I have many friends who fast annually but I have never done the sacrifice myself.
I have a close friend who is a member of the Bahai faith. They do a similar fast every year for 19 days. They only are “allowed” to eat before the sun rises and after the sun sets. At these times, they gather together for a meal together and to pray together. At the end of the 19 days, they celebrate with a feast and celebration.
I really like their definition of fasting and I have decided to practice it starting tomorrow (Monday January 4) through the Night of Worship (Thursday January 21). I can’t wait to see what God will reveal to me as I pray for my family, our community, our country, and the world!
Mary Beth
January 3, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I received your email but forgot to check out the blog for details. Erin reminded those of us on the Host Team about praying and fasting, this morning.
I’ve decided to pray and fast from swing dancing, which I normally do two to three times a week. The timing is perfect since I can “feast” on dancing at a big workshop at the end of the month!
I’ve also stopped smoking, but I’m not counting that since I’m not fasting, I’m just quitting :-)
January 3, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Brandon – I just prayed for you.
It’s going to be a great 21 days. Thanks for joining in. I’m praying for God to reveal His clear direction to you.
Jeff
January 3, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Mary Beth – thanks!
We’re going to celebrate together on January 21 with our Night of Worship. It’s going to be a great celebration.
Thanks again.
Jeff
January 3, 2010 at 6:38 pm
John — that’s great. Thanks for joining in.
Way to go on quitting smoking, too!
Jeff
January 3, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Hey, Jeff! I’ve joined in (sorry I’m late in letting you know). I’m fasting from all carbonated beverages. I’ve already had a dream about Dr. Pepper, so this is no small challenge. ;)
Glad y’all are doing this as a church.
Amber
January 3, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I am recently returning to a relationship with God. This 21 days of prayer and fasting came at me like a ton of bricks last week! I just know that God will do something amazing in my life in the coming weeks, even if it is “only” keeping me from temptation. I will be praying for God’s strength and peace, and fasting from my alarm clock. I am going to trust God to wake me up every morning–on time! This is a big issue for me, since I have to be up most mornings at 5 AM!
Trust in God has always been my biggest issue. I’m praying that a no alarm clock rule will strengthen my faith.
January 4, 2010 at 10:08 am
Clearly late joining up, but I’m in! I’m a nursing mother, so I’m a little limited, but I’ll be fasting from sweets….which will be incredibly difficult for me, as I am a total sugar addict. I’m praying specifically for my mom, 2 friends whom I REALLY want to know Jesus, and wisdom in our finances. Very excited about what God will do during this time!
January 4, 2010 at 10:53 am
Hi Jeff, sorry I’m late on the fast. I just got the e-mails from Dec. 30th. I will definately be fasting on sweets and bread which is a huge deal for me to give up. I believe that God will do great things in our church. I’m super excited to see what He will do!! :)
Nayivis
January 4, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hey, Jeff, I’m in! Giving up the many (and I mean many!) Diet Cokes I drink each day…wasn’t hard to hear from God on that one! I’m on day 3 and He is definitely helping me break this habit, so I”m already being blessed by the fast!
I’m excited to see what God is going to do in Buckhead and also that this may lead my husband to the new career that God has in store for him. We’ve been before the Lord for so long on this job thing, and I pray that this may be the time for the “big reveal!” Thank you for leading our church in this endeavor!
January 5, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Hi Jeff,
I just found out about this today (5th) from my friend Amy Malia. I’m in. I’ve never fasted and did not realize fasting is not an option, but a discipline, until I read the growing closer to God link above. I plan on fasting from meat and sugar and concentrating on vegetables and fruits. We have such an abundance…what a great way to start 2010.
Jenny
January 6, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Jeff, I would like to thank God for the internet and thank you for the email. I love that we can be away from home and stay connected. I had to spend some time identifying what takes my attention away from Him. It’s great that we can choose our own disipline. I am fasting sweets, eating out, shopping, and sleeping in. Thank you for organizing this fast for Buckhead. I am praying for the 300K.
January 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Amber — I completely understand about the soft drinks. I’m a Coca-Cola Classic guy myself. Thanks for joining this.
January 6, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Allison – great comment. How’s it going with the no alarm clock??
January 6, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Sheri – I’ll be praying for your Mom and your two friends. Praying for wisdom in finances. There are some good resources to consider in the connections resource center at church. Balanced, the series Andy did last year is great. Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Crown Financial Ministries are great resources as well.
Jeff
January 6, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Naylvis — it’s never too late to fast & pray. I’m with you on the sweets and no bread. Thanks for joining in!
Jeff
January 6, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Dana – I know how hard it is on the soft drink front. Thanks for being a part of this. Joining you on praying for the job.
Jeff
January 6, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Jenny — that’s great. You’re right. Even though we’re fasting, we have so much to still choose from. We’re blessed.
Thanks!
Jeff
January 6, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Jen — so great. Thanks! Let us know how you’re doing.
Jeff
January 8, 2010 at 3:55 pm
My wife and I are joining in too. Food isn’t as good of an option for us, so we’ve decided to fast from spending money on anything other than food and gas. We actually started a few days back and have already been confronted with a number of things we “can’t” buy/do – which is good! God is answering our prayers b/c we asked him to bring our desires for things front and center and use this time to learn more about finding value in him and to expose the extent we currently look to consumption to fulfill that appetite.
We’re glad to share in this with everyone.
January 8, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Brian — incredible. Thank you for joining in and influencing us.
January 10, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Hi Jeff,
I was actually so encouraged by the church’s fast that I’ve decided to go 40 days without drinking alcohol. I have a few other people doing it with me, and a lot of people in my small group are fasting from something as well. None of us have really done a legitimate fast before though. Do you have any suggestions (daily devotions or anything you recommend reading throughout this time)?
Thanks!
January 24, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Christina – 40 days is impressive. I would recommend going through Hebrews 12. One verse per day and reflecting on it. This has been very helpful for me. Let me know how it’s going.
Jeff
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