Daniel Fast 2023
Quick Links:
Daniel Fast 2023 Meeting Touchpoints
We find ourselves in difficult times. It’s been a turbulent few years to say the least. But as we start 2023 with our Daniel Fast we want to declare that God Reigns. He is sovereign. He is the Lord. And his reign, as we have just celebrated at Christmas, is an everlasting one (cf. Isaiah 9:6).
God invites us to discover this truth afresh. He reigns in our lives, it’s personal. He also reigns in our church and in the world. It’s all his. We will explore this theme week by week as we share our devotions around Colossians 1, Ephesians 1 and Philippians 1.
We are particularly aware of our financial challenge as we enter into 2023. This will be an important focus of our prayer together. God reigns over our finances too. So we will turn in trust and listen to what he says and seek to follow how he leads.
Key moments of prayer this year in addition to the Sunday celebrations will be:
Weekdays: 6-7am at Burlington Please note that there will not be a meeting in person on Friday 13th January, we will be meeting online instead joining with IIC. Please join us by clicking on this link: Online Prayer Meeting
Mondays: 9.30-10.30 at Burlington
Wednesday 11th January - 7.30pm - New Year Listening hosted by Accessible Prophecy. You will need to sign up to attend this hour of guided listening to God by clicking on the following link: https://linktr.ee/accessibleprophecy
Special Church Meeting - Tuesday 17th January 2023, 7.30pm
Wednesday 25th January - 7:30pm @ Burlington - An evening of prayer and worship.
(Please see more details below).
We look forward to seeing the life and power of our all reigning God at work in our lives through these weeks and in the year ahead.
How to Fast:
The Daniel Fast is an opportunity for us to Give Up, Take Up & Join Up.
GIVE UP
There are many ways to fast. We would like you to fast in the way that is appropriate for you. Perhaps you would like to join in the Daniel Fast as discussed here daniel-fast.com. An overview of the food and drinks that could be removed as well as foods to eat can be found here and recipe suggestions here.
However, it may be more useful/sensible for you to fast from your favourite past time, a habit such as computer games or TV or one element of your diet such as caffeine, sugar or alcohol. Decide what you are going to do, tell someone else to hold you accountable and shape the fast in a way that helps you to position yourself to hear from God and grow.
TAKE UP
Stopping something is only half of what biblical fasting is about. We need to ’take up’ something so that we tune into God’s voice.
Some suggestions include:
- Commit to reading the Bible and doing SOAP every day to allow God to speak through His Word. There will be a daily Bible reading plan for the three weeks.
- Commit to the journey with others. Could you commit to worship every Friday night for example, or join the early morning prayer on certain days?
- Decide you are going to go for a walk with God every day. As you walk intentionally tune into God’s voice;
- Spend time listening to worship music and resting in his presence;
- Take times of stillness where you ask God into the space;
- Attach a pause to everyday things. For example every time you walk into your home give thanks for it, or every time you have a drink pause and thank God for his provision
- Read that Christian book that you have been meaning to and allow God to speak through it.
This year we would love you more than ever to commit to our community touch points. It’s much easier to stick with it together. Much easier to draw near to God together.
Every weekday
6-7am- Monday-Friday - Time of prayer and worship at Burlington. Join others to start the day in prayer.
Please note that there will not be a meeting in person on Friday 13th January, we will be meeting online instead joining with IIC. Please join us by clicking on this link: Online Prayer Meeting
Sundays
8th, 15th 22nd will be celebrations at 10.45am focusing on our theme of Reign. Will include Kids and Youth groups.
29th - Celebration Sunday at 11am at Burlington.
Each Monday (9th, 16th, 23rd) - we will have an extended time of worship and prayer at Burlington: 9.30 - 10.30am.
Tuesday 17th - Special Church Meeting for all Church members at 7.30pm. This will include an extended time of worship and prayer.
Please keep connected with wherever you keep up to date as some of these details may be subject to change.
Additionally can we encourage you to join up with others in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
- Prayer triplets (or a few friends being accountable)- Could you ask 2/3 others to walk through the Daniel Fast together? Meeting for a walk weekly or doing a zoom call and encouraging each other through the fast?
- How will your community do something together.? Could you meet weekly on zoom to talk about what God is doing? To do the bible study?
- Stay in touch. The Burlington Facebook group really comes alive when we post verses, encouragements and stories of what God is doing amongst us. Even if you don’t usually post we would love to encourage you to do so this year. It would be wonderful to hear what God is doing amongst us. We would also love to hear stories and encouragements that we can share on our Sunday stream. Please get in touch with Claire if you have something to share.
If you would more information or some support or help through this fast do get in touch with Claire at [javascript protected email address]
Recommended Reading
The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory
The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
Posted On: Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 @ 5:12 pm