To my church family…

I am asking that we would enter into a period of fasting and praying. I’m asking each member to join us as we fast and seek the Lord during this period. On February 22, 2024, we will begin our 40 days of fasting and prayer and will conclude April 9, 2024. Or on March 19, 2024, we will begin our 21 days of fasting and prayer and will conclude April 8, 2024. (There are six Sundays in Lent, and as all Sundays are feast days in honor of the Resurrection, they are taken out. To make up for these, six days are added to the beginning of the season.)

Through fasting and prayer, the people of God have one of the most powerful disciplines. The Holy Spirit can transform your life. If done properly, fasting will prove to be, not only a spiritual blessing, but a physical blessing as well. Please spend at least 30 minutes in the Word, meditation and prayer each day. A scripture and prayer log are included.

While each of you may have specific needs, I am asking that our corporate goal for Second Missionary Baptist is our vision focus “The year #God.” We encourage all members to participate as we pray together as a family at least once a day.

Jesus Christ, our Kurios Christos, said in Matthew 6:9-13 that certain types of powers only come when we fast and pray.

Keep speaking the truth in love,

Rev. Dr. Larry E. Jones

Pastor/Teacher

Most Common Biblical Reasons for Fasting

1. To strengthen our ability to turn our attention to the Lord.
Daniel 9:1-3 provides an example of how to engage God through prayer and supplication.

2. When facing a great challenge or obstacle.
Simply stated, when you don’t know what to do, seek God. (In II Chronicles 20:1-4; and similarly in Ezra 8:21-23.)

3. To be receptive to direction and wisdom from God.
Consider your role in listening for God’s direction. When you want Him to reveal something in your life - big or small - you must first place yourself in a posture to hear from Him.

Corporate Fast Focus

Join us for prayer each Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. as we collectively pray for the covering of …Pastor Jones, his family and our church leadership.

Option 1: St. Paul Fast
Abstain from all foods and drinks. FOCUS: Fasting for wisdom and insight from God.

OPTION 2: Daniel Fast
Fruits and vegetables only. FOCUS: Fasting for good health and for obedience toward God.

OPTION 3: Ezra and Esther Fasts
Abstain from sodas and sweets (desserts, pies, cookies, cakes, candy, etc.) natural sweeteners and fruits are okay.
FOCUS: Fasting to solve problems and to seek protection from the evil one.

OPTION 4: Samuel, Widow’s and John the Baptist Fasts
Abstain from all types of fried foods and breads. FOCUS: Fasting to win people to Christ and to get God to pour Himself out on mankind; Fasting so that the needs of others will be met; and fasting for a stronger testimony and influence.

Fasting Options

Give us this day our daily Bread...

Disciples’ Fast: Fasting to break addictions. Matthew 17:20, 21

Ezra Fast: Fasting to solve problems and to seek protection. Ezra 8:21-23

Samuel Fast: Fasting to win people to Christ and to get God to pour Himself out on mankind. I Samuel 7:1â€?8

Elijah Fast: Fasting to break every yoke. I Kings 19:2-18

Widow’s Fast: Fasting so that the needs of others will be met. I Kings 17:12

St. Paul Fast: Fasting for wisdom and insight from God. Acts 9:9-19

Daniel Fast: Fasting for good health and for obedience toward Go

Whole Grains; Brown Rice, White Rice.

Legumes; Dried Beans, Lima, Northern,

Garbanzo Pinto, Red , Black, Kidney, Great

Northern, Navy, Split Peas, Lentils and Black eyed Peas

Nuts; Almonds, Peanuts, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds.

Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Avocades, Applesauce

Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,

Cantalope, Cherries, Cranberries, Currants, Dates,

Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Honeydew Melon, Nectarines,

Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangos, Mandarin, Oranges,

Papayas, peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes,

Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines,

and Watermelon.

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels,

Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers,

Collard Greens, Corn, Cumbers, Dandelion, Turnip Greens,

Kale, Eggplants, Endive, Garlic, Gingerrootm, Green Beans, Leeks,

Lettuce, Mixed Vegetables, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra,

Onions, Parsely, Peas, Potatoes, Pepper, Pumpkins, Radishes,

Rutabbagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, and

Tomatoes.

Oils: Herbs, Olive Oil, Salad Dressings, Vinaigrette, Homemade

using Vinegar Olive Oil Herbs, French and Italian.

Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All Natural Fruit Juices

100% All Natural Vegetables.

Sweetener: Honey Maple Syrup.

Menu;

Monday: Breakfast: Hash Browns, V-8 Juice, and Water

Snack: Cauliflower and water

Lunch; Steamed Broccoli Spears, Baked Potato,

with Olive Oil, Herbs Grilled Tomatoes,

Fresh Lemonade.

Snack; Fresh Fruit Water

Dinner; Side Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing,

Peaches, Water, Brwwon Rice and Lentil soup.

Tuesday: Breakfast; Rice, Banana, Water

Snack; Dried Cranberries and water

Lunch: Healthly salad, Potato Soup, and

Apple Juice.

SnackBaby Carrots, and water

Dinner; New Orleans Rice, Cole Slaw,

Apples and Water.

Wednesday: Breakfast; Fried Potatoes, Strawberries, and water.

Snack; Fresh Fruit and water.

Lunch; Grilled Vegetables, Diced Potato, Grape Juice.

Snack; Fresh Fruit and water.

Dinner; Grilled New Potatoes and Greeen Beans with

Garlic Baked banana and Passion Fruit, and water.

Thursday: Breakfast; Rice, Pink Grapefruit, and water.

Snack; Fresh Fruit and water.

Lunch; Chunky Minestrone Soup, French Fries,

Pineapple Juice.

Snack; Celery Sticks and water.

Dinner; Black-eyed Peas, Seasoned Mixed Greens,

Candy Yams, and water.

Friday: Breakfast; Tater Tots, Apples, and water.

Snack; Raisins nd water.

Lunch: Carrot, Zucchini and Potato Shreds,

Mashed Potato with muchrooms, and Orange Juice.

Snack; Fresh Fruit Water.

Dinner; Refried Beans and Fried Rice, Mexican Corn,

Tropical Fruit, Salad, and water.

Saturday: Breakfast; Cinnamon Hot Apples, Rice, and water.

Snack; Fresh Fruit water.

Lunch; Fruit Salad, Cabbage and Diced Potato Soup,

Cranbery juice.

Snack; Marinated Cucumberers, and water.

Dinner; Lima Beans, Glazed Carrots, Cucumber

and Tomato Salad and water.

Day 1: Deuteronomy 3:16