|
|
|
| |
|
Bishop Holmes calls Zionites to Fast |
|
|
Bishop
Holmes has called the Midwest Episcopal Area to 40 Days of Fasting and
Praying during the Lenten Season. Bishop
Holmes welcomes all Zionites and Christians
around the world to fast with us.
Click here to download the PDF containing the Daily Focus/Theme for each day of the Fast.
Prayer and Fasting Focus
“O Lord, Revive Your Work in the midst of the years” Hab. 3:2
What is Fasting?
“Fasting is the abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind or for a spiritual purpose.”
Why Should I Fast?
| 1. |
Are you in need of healing or a miracle? |
| 2. |
Do you need the tender touch of God in your life? |
| 3. |
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible? |
| 4. |
Are you in need of a fresh encounter? |
| 5. |
Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord? |
| 6. |
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God? |
| 7. |
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage? |
| 8. |
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation? |
| 9. |
Do you desire to know God’s will for your life? |
As we journey towards Calvary (Good Friday) and Easter (Resurrection Sunday), it is our desire that we draw closer to the Lord through prayer and fasting. As the Lord made such a wonderful and miraculous sacrifice for the world by dying for the sins of the world, should we not make a small sacrifice for Him!
The times we are living in compel us to return to holiness by corporately engaging in the means of grace of prayer and fasting. The prayer calendar has been designed to cover different prayer focuses and themes each day. A daily scripture accompanies each concern. Bishop Roy Anderson Holmes is requesting we engage the local church, district, annual conference, and the denomination in the prayer and fasting focus. This will help unify us with the divine purposes of God. The focus includes: Worship and Love and Unity, Families, Provisions, Strongholds, Leadership, Evangelism, and Revival. Please pray daily for these concerns in faith and expectation.
The Prayer and Fasting Process
There are two options for the fast: 1. You fast daily from 6 am to 6 pm and at 6 pm take in fruit, vegetables, and nuts. This means no meat, no bred, no sweets, and no sugar drinks. 2. If you are not able to fast from 6 am to 6 pm daily, you may fast without the meats, breads, sweets and sugar drinks all day. This is called the “Daniel Fast.” (Daniel 10:3) SPECIAL FAST DAY: Wesleyan Fast: From 6 pm each Thursday to 3 pm on Friday; take in juice, water and teas. Each week, we will all fast together. The Daniel Fast and juice fasting will lead to:
| 1. |
Spiritual Insight and Wisdom-“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17) |
| 2. |
New Spiritual Direction and Effectiveness-“Daniel, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding.” (Daniel 10:12) |
| 3. |
Spiritual and Physical Health-“When the time was up, they looked healthier and stronger than those who had been eating the royal food.” (Daniel 1:15) |
| 4. |
An Excellent Spirit and Favor among God and Men-“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” (Daniel 6:3) |
Four Principles to remember When Fasting and Praying
| 1. |
Pray frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17): To pray without ceasing means to stay in an attitude of prayer, ever mindful of God’s presence and your need for Him. |
| 2. |
Pray with faith (James 1:6-8): Pray with faith, believing that we will have what we request. James says we are to “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” It is the prayer of faith that brings a person to wholeness. |
| 3. |
Pray with focus (Philippians 4:6): This is a time for addressing very specific needs in our lives. |
| 4. |
Pray boldly: Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We must be bold in asking the Lord to move in powerful ways in our lives and in the lives of other people. |
Suggested Foods to Eat on a Daniel Fast
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley, Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon.
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Green Beans, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts.
Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices.
Foods to Avoid
Meats, All Dairy Products, White Rice, Friend Foods, Caffeine, Carbonated Beverages, Foods Containing Preservatives or Additive, Refined Sugar Substitutes, White Flour and All Products Using It, Margarine, Shortening, and High Fat Products.
|
|
|
|
-
September 8-12, 2010
St. Paul AME Zion
700 Muscogee Road
Cantonment, FL 32533
850-937-9001
-
September 21-26, 2010
Zion Temple AME Zion Church
205 North Church Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
PH: 270-821-1841
-
September 22-26, 2010
McCalla Chapel AME Zion Church
5466 Sanders Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35022
205-426-4713
-
September 26, 2010
As a symbol of unity, all women of the A.M.E. Zion Church are requested to wear white. Contact the A.M.E. Zion Church Department of Overseas Missions for information concerning this observance.
-
October 6-9, 2010
Covening at Lomax-Hannon Junior College
725 Conecuh Street
Greenville, AL 36037
334-382-2115
-
October 8-9, 2010
Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center
495 Cragmont Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Ph: 828-419-9200
Fx: 828-419-9222
-
October 13-17, 2010
Oak Street AME Zion Church
1500 Oak Street
Montgomery, AL 36108
334-263-3200
-
October 19-24, 2010
Greater Salem AME Zion
4414 Salem Road 35
Panola, AL 35477
205-462-1458
-
October 20-24, 2010
Shiloh #1 AME Zion Church
4970 County Road 24
Auburn, AL 36830
334-725-0045
-
October 2010
On this occasion, programs shall be observed in memory of Anna L. Anderson and each member of the Society is asked to contribute five dollars ($5.00) to the Council.
-
October 29-31, 2010
Connectional Lay Council
"Equipping The Laity For Evangelism"
-
November 9-14, 2010
Ford Chapel AME Zion
212 West Mitchell Road
Memphis, TN 38109
901-785-6630
-
November 10-14, 2010
Covening at Small Memorial AME Zion Church
19 County Road 21,
Jefferson, AL 36732
334-289-5565
-
November 17-21, 2010
Pilgrim Rest AME Zion Church
125 Greer Avenue
Whistler, AL 36612
251-456-5629
-
November 2010
The Young Adult Missionary Society Annual Observance, shall be celebrated to recognize Dr. Willa Mae Rice as the Founder and Dr. Adlise Ivey Porter as the Organizing Coordinator. This program is developed by the General Coordinator, YAMS.
Visit www.whoms.org for more information.
-
November 25, 2010
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
-
Saturday, December 25, 2010
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
|
|
|
