Bro. Manuel Ministries

* Fasting together with prayer can break the yoke of bondage and bring about a release of God's presence, power and provision.

* Fasting will make us humble, we will discover more time to pray and seek God's face, and as the Holy Spirit leads you to recognize and repent of un-confessed sin, you will experience God's blessings.

* Fasting will strengthen us spiritually and also keep us healthy in the Lord!
* Fasting is an important key to getting the victory over difficult situations that do not seem to respond to normal prayer.

* Fasting builds our faith. Fasting also makes it easier for us to hear the voice of the God.

* Fasting humbles us, brings clarity of thought and takes away every trace of bitterness. Fasting is the only thing that can destroy sin.
* Whatever breakthrough we need, will come when we fast and pray.

* Fasting can break the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens and bring healing.

* Fasting frees the oppressed and the depressed. It breaks every yoke. We as people are yoked to bad habits in this world, and fasting can break those yokes so we can be free to enter into the kingdom of God.

*Fasting will help us prepare ourselves to receive a new anointing.

* Fasting makes it possible for us not only to give "spiritual bread" to those that are hungry, but also releases our finances so that we can give "natural bread" to the poor and needy.

* Fasting brings humility. If we humble ourselves then pride will go and the barrier of sins with it.

* Fasting sets our hearts right. Through fasting, God wants our weaknesses (unforgiveness, pride, rebellion, false attitude etc.) to go, which are the big things that can take us away from God.
We must ensure that our motive for fasting is pure. Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16–18 (NIV)

The Bible is filled with instances where simple, everyday flesh and blood people achieved great things through fasting and prayer. Moses fasted for forty days; God gave him “The Ten Commandments.” He had to wait for forty days to receive it. The Book of Esther speaks about a three-day fast by the nation of Israel. Esther herself fasted, having no food or water for three days. And God saved the nation. Hannah wept and did not eat until she had heard from God, and she was gifted with a son she named Samuel. So whenever she went up to the Lord, she decided to fast – twenty-four hours of fasting, one day of no food and no water. The entire city of Nineveh, including animals, fasted upon hearing the pronouncement of judgment from the prophet Jonah, and God spared them

Jesus was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. For 40 days and nights before He was subjected to a personal attack by Satan, Jesus fasted. Though physically weak, Jesus was spiritually well prepared for the temptation that followed.

The Apostle Paul fasted for three days once and fourteen days on another occasion. Peter fasted for three days. Joshua fasted for forty days before the Battle of Jericho. Daniel practised partial fasting for ten days and twenty-one days – no bread, no sweets, no meat; just water and vegetables. You too will be able to do this once you are convicted by the Holy Spirit.
(1.) Normal Fast - The Normal Fast involves abstaining from all solid and liquid food except for water. Or you may choose to fast a one meal each day.

(2.) Absolute Fast - The Absolute Fast involves abstaining from both food and drink. You should never stay on this fast more than three days unless under the direction of the Holy Spirit. (Caution: Should not be undertaken over 3 days and only then if you have a clear directive from the Lord and are in good health).

(3.) Partial Fast - The Partial Fast involves abstaining from just certain foods. You can live on just certain foods during the duration of this fast such as fruits, vegetables and water or you may choose not to eat after a certain time in the day.

(4.) Juice Fast - Fruit and vegetable juices only.

There are different ways and durations of fasting some of them are stated below 3 days, 7 days, 9 days, 21 days and 40 days fasting
Please remember - Never fast on your own, it would be wise to ask your doctor for a physical exam to make sure you are in good health. You may have a physical problem that would make fasting unwise or dangerous. In prayer seek the Lord about the length of your fast and He will guide your heart and mind as to what is best for you.
Remember to seek counseling with your pastor/spiritual guide, before you begin your fast. Once you have been convicted by the Holy Spirit, start slowly! you may choose to fast one meal a day, or one day a week, or one week a month. Build up your spiritual muscles so that you will be prepared in a period of several months.

3 days: God will take you out of the predicament you’re in, you will rise from the place you are.
7 days: God will take you to the next level from where you are.
9 days: Helps overcome anything.
21 days & 40 days: Brings spiritual insights and mighty revelations.

Your fasting should be decided one day in advance, if you want to fast tomorrow then you must make a decision today. So when you get up in the morning fasting and praying must go together. When you get up in the morning you must say, Jesus I offer/lift up my fast to you, make it HOLY & ACCEPTABLE to my God- your Father in Heaven. Ask the Holy Spirit to take it to the Father, So that through this fasting you may say no to Temptation and Sin.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you.”

FOODS

One man's food is another man's poison - A chemical reaction occurs between your blood and the foods you eat. So if you eat improper food or some food that is not best suited as per your blood-group, it may have some negative reaction on your body and digestive system. You must follow a diet designed as per your blood type; your body will then digest and absorb food more efficiently, resulting in good health.

Some of the foods you can have during this fasting period include the below:

Fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried and juiced. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelons.

Beverages: Spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried and juiced. Vegetables include but are not limited to asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chilli peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, zucchini.

Whole grains: Whole wheat, brown rice, millet, oats, barley, grits, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn. Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame, also nut butters, including peanut butter. Legumes: Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, white beans.

Oils: All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Others: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.
Some of the foods you can “avoid” during this fasting period include:

Meat: All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

Dairy: All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

Sweeteners: All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

FOODS YOU CAN "AVOID"

Bread: All leavened bread, including Ezekiel’s Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

Processed Foods: All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavourings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

Fried Foods: All deep-fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.

Fats: All solid fats, including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages: Carbonated beverages, energy drinks and alcohol.

When you have completed your fast, it is important that you ease back into your “normal” diet. Incorporate foods back into your diet slowly, one by one. This is especially true with caffeine, sugar, fatty foods, meat and dairy products. Small portions are wise. And go slow, adding perhaps just one or two foods each day. Don't rush into your normal eating patterns to avoid indigestion and sickness.

Don’t be surprised if you feel tired after you start eating “normal” foods. Your body has been detoxified over the 21-day Daniel Fast. Get proper rest. Don't overeat or consume large amounts of processed or high fat foods right after the fast. Continue to drink lots of filtered water. Retain some of the eating habits you learned while on the fast. Continue to eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and healthy oils.
If you fast wisely and pray with all your might, I guarantee this: You’ll be drenched in God’s love and His blessings before you can say “Amen”!