FASTING TO FEASTING GUIDE
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What’s in This Guide This guide is designed to provide you with types of fasts, practice to fast safely as well as a way to celebrate your sacrifice with a guide to feasting.
Section I: Fasting and How to Start Section II: Palm Sunday Feast
Our “Why” For Fasting
At MAKERS, our mission is to make on Earth as it is in Heaven by developing and commissioning followers of Jesus to love God and love others. And one of our values is that community is the best context for authentic transformation.
What does that have to do with fasting? Well...
We accomplish more together than apart. Fasting is a sure-fire way to grow to be more like someone after God’s own heart.
Don’t just take our word for it. Three pretty important figures in the Bible did it, too: ● Daniel fasted for a few weeks. Daniel 10:1-3. ● Moses fasted for 40 days at least twice. Deuteronomy 9:9-18 ● Even better, Jesus fasted for 40 days, as well. Matthew 4:1-2
These, of course, are examples of extended fasts from people who were experienced in doing it safely and over extended-periods of time .
Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days. As you consider fasting during Lent, start slowly. Fast for one meal the first week, then buildup to two the next and so on. If you’re more comfortable and have fasted before, start with one meal a day like breakfast. Get creative. This guide will help you get started. GETTING STARTED
1 START WITH PRAYER.
If you haven’t already. You can download our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting Guide for prompts you can use throughout Lent. Or text PRAYUP to 97000 to receive a daily prompt.
2 PREPARE PHYSICALLY.
Don’t go full-Fat Tuesday before you fast, it will not be good. Remember, you’ve got the Palm Sunday Feast to look forward to. You may also want to avoid sugar and ca�eine on the days or times you choose to fast:
3 GROW TOGETHER.
Doing this in isolation may decrease your temptation, but it won’t help you or others grow. Invite someone to participate with you or let someone help keep you accountable.
4 EXPECT RESISTANCE. GIVE GRACE.
Pro-tip: You will get hungry. Whenever we make moves to grow closer to Jesus we encounter resistance (The Enemy). Don’t expect perfection, but be expectant. If you have a misstep, don’t over-correct. Instead move forward with grace.
5 SET A GOAL.
On Palm Sunday, you’re going to throw a feast for you, your family, your bubble, etc. with the money you saved on eating out or groceries. When we say ‘feast’ we mean the best meal you’ll have all year. Set a goal and schedule your fast so you can meet your goal. PALM SUNDAY FEAST
Amazing job! You’ve made it through the 40 days of prayer and fasting and now it’s time to FEAST. This is a time of celebration. Here’s some simple steps in preparing for your feast.
1 Choose your menu.
No matter how you’re choosing to feast or who you’re choosing to feast with - pick nothing but the best. No need to go too traditional on this. Many people on this day choose to eat salt cod, pax cakes and licorice water. None of which sound very good.
Just be sure to choose the menu together. Let your friends, spouse and kids help craft the meal. We’d recommend brunch so you can eat together and watch service if you’re choosing to stay home. Need some help? Pastor Chalese’s favorite brunch recipe is attached.
2 Focus on connection.
This is a time for you to break bread, give thanks and celebrate the ways God spoke to you, your friends and your family these last few weeks. Listen and laugh with one another. If you’re flying solo, schedule time and invite someone to join you virtually.
3 Put your records on.
We have curated a playlist via Spotify with songs we feel will help set the mood a little bit either during your post gathering-brunch or while you’re doing the dishes together after you’ve wrapped up. You can find the playlist in the MAKERS Church artist page on Spotify called PALM SUNDAY FEAST. Don’t have Spotify? Put your favorite record on instead. SHAKSHUKA WITH FETA RECIPE
Pastor Chalese says “this meal is BOMB and SO easy!” This, gathering with your family or friends and Pastor Marc’s playlist is the perfect recipe for an excellent Palm Sunday Feast.
Ingredients
● 3 tbsp olive oil ● 1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced ● 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced ● 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced ● 1 tsp ground cumin ● 1 tsp sweet paprika ● 1 tsp cayenne, or to taste ● 1 (28 oz) can whole plum tomatoes with juices, coarsely chopped ● Salt and pepper to taste ● 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 ¼ cups) (or really as much as you want) ● 4 large eggs (at least) ● Chopped cilantro, to feel fancy ● Hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Heal oil in a large skillet over medium lwo heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook gently until very soft, about 20 minutes. Add garlic and cook until tender, 1 to 2 minutes; stir in cumin, paprika and cayenne, and cook for another minute. Pour in tomatoes and season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmr until the tomatoes have thickened, about 10 more minutes. Stir in crumbled feta. Gently crack eggs into skillet over tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until eggs are just set, 7 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with hot sauce.