Dear FC3 family and friends:
For almost two years we have been living in a pandemic It has been emotionally, physically and spiritually challenging, but we have seen GOD do some amazing things. GOD has provided for us; He has protected us; He has kept us; and He has been faithful to us. For all that God has done and will continue to do He is worthy and deserves our praise.

As we prepare to enter a new year, we are sensing GOD is calling us to focus on our physical, mental and spiritual health (body, soul and spirit). It is GOD’s desire that we take care of our bodies because it is GOD’s temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Our primary purpose in life – to glorify God. We do that when we care for our body and live a healthy lifestyle.

As we begin this journey of health and wellness, we are sensing GOD is calling FC3 into a 21-day Daniel Fast beginning Sunday, January 9, 2022 and ending on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Our Lord Jesus emphasizes in several portions of Scripture that fasting is an exercise for each person in the church to participate in from time to time. Jesus didn’t say if you fast, but when you fast (read Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:14-15).

During our fast, we will be meeting for morning prayer Monday-Friday at 6:00 a.m. via FC3 YouTube Channel, Facebook Live and through FC3 app. Please take the time to read this packet and prepare yourself before January 9, 2022.

We look forward to taking the journey together.

Dr. Karen V. Johnson
Senior Pastor

Why is FC3 having a corporate fast?

“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD” - Joel 1:14

As a body of believers, we are committing to a corporate fast to seek GOD’s direction on the health our body, soul and spirit. We are all at different places in our walk with GOD so we must start where we are. We should not fast to impress others or to prove our spirituality. We fast to draw nearer to God

What is the Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet. The focus will be on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. Depending on whether you have a condition that would prohibit you from being part of the Fast, there are other options to consider (see Fasting from a Specific Activity or Food).

The Daniel Fast is a great model to follow that proves to be extremely effective for spiritual focus, discipline, and purification in the body and soul. The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God (Daniel 1:8 - “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank…”).
Daniel 10:2-3 - “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” It is one of the most common types of fasts.

Daniel Fast Food List:
1. Legumes: dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, black eyed peas
2. Fruits: apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
3. Whole grain: Brown rice, oats, rolled oats, oatmeal, barley, corn, wheat
4. Vegetables: artichokes asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini
5. Seeds, nuts
6. Liquids: water, unsweetened plant based milk, herbal tea, natural fruit juice (no sugar added) Drink plenty of water while fasting to support your critical liver function.
7. Whole Grain Cereal/Low Sugar Granola
8. Quality Oils – olive oil, coconut oil and other healthy vegetable oils like grape seed, etc.
9. Natural Seasonings, Herbs and Condiments (vinegar, pepper, garlic, Ms. Dash, sea salt, fresh herbs, various seasonings, etc.)

Foods to Avoid
1. Meat, poultry, dairy, all breads, caffeine, fried foods, carbonated beverages, refined sugar and sugar substitutes
2. Alcohol

A Modified Daniel Fast can include:
1. Eggs
2. Honey, stevia and agave
3. Chicken, fish, turkey

Fasting While Nursing or Pregnant

If you would like to participate in the 21-day fast, here are some options you may consider with the approval of your physician:

1. Fasting sweets and desserts
2. Fasting red meat
3. Fasting certain pleasurable activities (television shows, movies, social media such as Facebook/Twitter, video games, etc.)

As a pregnant or nursing mother, your priority is the health and development of your baby. You can still participate and be a wise steward over your child.

Preparing to Fast

Physical Preparation

Before you begin this fast, it is important that you prepare yourself. Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm.
1. If you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition, please consult your physician first.
2. Prepare your body by avoiding high-fat and sugary foods.
3. Gather recipes, plan your meals and purchase foods specifically for the fast.

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

1. Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
2. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
3. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; Luke 17:3,4).
4. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to blend in with the world (Romans 12:1,2).
5. Meditate on the Word of God particularly the character of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace and compassion (Psalm 48:9,10; Psalm 103:1-8; Psalm 103:11-13).
6. Be prepared for spiritual opposition, the enemy will come to attack and test your commitment to seeking the Lord through prayer and fasting (Galatians 5:16, 17).

Prayer Focus for Corporate Fast
1. To pray for physical health and healing. We don’t believe GOD desires us to be complacent and apathetic about our physical or emotional health. We are to honor GOD with our bodies not as a means to earn GOD’s grace, but as a means to express our gratitude for the grace he has already shown us through Jesus Christ.
2. To pray to be a reflection of His light giving direction and being an example to a stressed out world.
3. To seek wisdom, clarity, discernment and divine strength. We need to be able to distinguish between what is of GOD and what is not. We desire GOD’s supernatural power to take over where our natural power leaves off.

Benefits of Fasting the Right Way - …and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

1. His rewards are always greater than recognition of men
2. God honors proper and sincere motives
3. Keeps us in the presence of the Lord and humbles us before Him
4. Teaches us to be dependent on God for the answer
5. Teaches us discipline and control over our bodies
6. Keeps us from being a slave to any food or habit
7. Has health benefits

Fasting FAQ’s

Can I have salt, pepper, seasonings, milk, whole grains, soy products, eggs, protein drinks, vitamins or butter?

1. Fasting is a private discipline.
2. It is not something that is meant to be unattainable.
3. Decide what is feasible for you to do and make the effort.
4. Do what you can and put it in God’s hands…just do your best.

What can children fast?

1. Consider giving up desserts as a family
2. Consider giving up soft drinks or one item of food that would be a sacrifice for each of you.
3. Give up television as a family and spend that time reading and discussing Bible stories.

What if I have a medical condition?

1. Consult your doctor before starting a fast.
2. If your health condition prohibits you from fasting food, try fasting something else that would be a sacrifice or distraction for you and replace that time concentrating on prayer and Bible study.

What if I start and can’t finish my fast? Did I waste my time?

1. Seeking God through prayer and fasting is never a waste of time.
2. Determine within your heart that you will make an even better effort next time.
3. Try finishing the fast.

Do I have to fast food? What about TV, sports, etc.?

1. If you are unable to fast food for health reasons, feel free to give up something else that might have control in your life or be preventing you from experiencing spiritual growth.
2. Replace that time with prayer and studying God’s Word.

Do I continue to exercise while fasting?

1. Moderate exercise is good
2. Always consult a doctor about fasting and exercise

What if I have a manual labor job?

o A partial fast will allow you to receive enough nutrition to perform your job.

Daily Prayer Focus and Scripture

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Body
January 10 - Intro - Pastor K
Psalm 139:14

January 11 - Pastor Queen
Prayer Focus: GOD desires to heal
“LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” ~ Psalms 30:2

January 12 - Elder Barry
Prayer Focus: Healing for the sick and injured
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD” ~ Jeremiah 30:17

January 13 - Pastor DeCoster
Prayer Focus: Taking care of the temple
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

January 14 - Deacon Myra Harris
Prayer Focus: Praying for the terminally ill and suffering from Covid-19
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James:5:14

Soul
January 17 - Min. Janine
Prayer Focus: The importance of self-care
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3John 1:2

January 18 - Min. Daphne
Prayer Focus: Importance of rest
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11

January 19 - Elder Audrey
Prayer Focus: Praying for those suffering with depression and anxiety.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

January 20 - Pastor Darrell
Prayer Focus: Those who are seeking a peace of mind
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, BY PRAYER, with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

January 21 - Min. Carlos Wallace
Praying for decisions
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Spirit
January 24- Selena Holmes
Prayer Focus: Spiritual growth and maturity
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,. Hebrews 6:1

January 25 - Rev. T
Prayer Focus: Being grounded in Christ
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

January 26 - Min. Kim Henson
Prayer Focus: Spiritual Warfare
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

January 27 - Min. William Pratt
Prayer Focus: Standing strong for the Lord.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

January 28 - Deanna McCall
Prayer Focus: Stay in the race.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,