FASTING GUIDELINES AND PASSION WEEK CHALLENGE 2023
Biblically the number 3 represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. This doesn’t mean we will do everything perfect here on earth or that we will be perfect in our own efforts. It simply reminds us that we are already perfected in Christ. As we separate ourselves from the outer world and draw in to the voice and commissions of God, we will see ourselves being perfected even more.
The number 3 is often used in the Bible to emphasize the wholeness and completeness of God. I am reminded of the Holy Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The three patriarchs before the flood, Abel, Enoch and Noah and the three patriarchs after the flood, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There are 27 books in the New Testament (3 x3x3). I am reminded that Jesus prayed three times before being arrested. He was put on the cross at the third hour of the day and died at the ninth hour of the day which is “3pm”. Jesus was resurrected after 3 days of being dead. There were 3 people(Peter, James and John) who saw 3 others (Jesus, Elijah, Moses) during the transfiguration on the Mountain. The list goes on and on. So as you fast for these days, please remember the power behind the number 3.
If you are currently on medications, please feel free to consult your doctor to ensure this fast will not adversely affect your health. If you are unable to fast because of medical reasons, agree to give up something else that you really like to do, during the fast. Stick to the social restrictions and any other secular pleasures you may forego for the Kingdom’s sake.
The 3-day fast will begin on April 5th 2023 at 9am and will end on April 8th, 2023 at 9am.
Each day of this fast should consist of daily scripture reading, prayer focus, and dietary restrictions.. God wants your body, which is his holy temple, to be purified and cleansed from clutter and unhealthy habits. He wants you to allow him to remove anything that hinders you from hearing and heeding his voice. Hence the idea of Blackout. When we go dark, it’s to separate us from the worldly (secular) pleasures to reset and reposition our focus on God and his kingdom assignment for our lives.
As you participate in this fast, if you violate one of the terms, just keep going forth, God simply honors your effort to sacrifice for him. Do your best. He loves you either way.
DIETARY and TEMPLE PURGING GUIDELINES
—Throughout this 3-day fast. You are to follow these Dietary and Purging guidelines.
DIETARY CONSUMPTION:
DRINK--
ONLY DRINK WATER
FOOD
Whatever is grown from the earth
It is permissible to use seasonings produced naturally from the earth .
*
****NO TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, MARIJUANA, OR ILLICIT DRUGS, SHALL ENTER YOUR BODY UNLESS MEDICALLY REQUIRED AND PRESCRIBED
PURGING
*****NO VIDEO GAMES/COMPUTER SITES/MUSIC/SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE LIKE
***NO TV /COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE USE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR WORK OR INTENTIONAL KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT. LET GOD BE YOUR WITNESS
DAILY SCRIPTURE FOCUS --- (4/2/23 ---- 4/9/23)
Read the daily scriptures that have been provided with you as well as the daily kingdom tasks that have been provided to you for this passion week
BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE:
PASSION WEEK CHALLENGE—
Every member of OLCC is asked to participate in this Passion Week Challenge (PWC). This challenge will overlap the fasting period and will help you become even stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. This PWC is designed to complement the fast and not compete with the fast. The PWC dates are April 2, 2023—April 9, 2023.
In this PWC, you are required to participate in daily scripture readings, perform various Kingdom tasks, and pray daily for at least 30 consistent minutes a day.
PASSION WEEK FOCUS SCRIPTURES
April 2, 2023- April 9th, 2023
Daily consecration
PALM SUNDAY - (April 2, 2023)
KINGDOM TASK— *Call up at least 3 people and pray for them
PRAYER FOCUS:--
One Love Christian Church: redirect our commitment to God, commitment to studying God’s word, commitment to the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit and commitment to prayer. Prayer for you and your family members. Pray that each member will walk in their God given purpose and passion and embrace their salvation. That they will seek out their Kingdom assignment and be intentional in their efforts to complete it. Continue to pray and listen to God’s responses.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Philippians 2:5-11 (CSB):
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.
For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
MONDAY - April 3, 2023
KINGDOM TASK — *Bless Somebody today with a Hot Meal
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 42:1-4 (CEV):
Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations. He won’t shout or yell or call out in the streets. He won’t break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done. He won’t quit or give up until he brings justice everywhere on earth, and people in foreign nations long for his teaching.
TUESDAY - April 4, 2023
KINGDOM TASK - *Call At least 2 people today and discuss JC and the Kingdom for at least 15 minutes
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 49:1-4 (NIV):
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
WEDNESDAY - April 5, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service OLCC 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Matthew 26:14-16 (CEB):
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in.
THURSDAY - April 6, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service ARK CHURCH 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - John 13:12-16 (ESV):
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
GOOD FRIDAY - April 7, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service OLCC 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 53:1-5 (KJV):
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
SATURDAY- April 8, 2023
TASKS - *Attend Outreach today-feed the community
*Call 3 sinners and invite them to Church & to accept Christ
PRAYER FOCUS - PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Romans 6:3-11 (NLT):
Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
RESURRECTION SUNDAY - April 9, 2023
TASK - *Call 3 sinners and pray for them and offer salvation.
PRAYER FOCUS –
Pastor John and Elder Pauline Fitzpatrick and their family for: divine favor, protection, natural and spiritual prosperity, wisdom and encouragement and willingness to hear and obey the clear vision of God for the ministry, as well as their family. That they will have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is telling them for this season and how to be most effective in their kingdom mandate.
Also pray for their two kids, Cameron and Tre, to accept their kingdom assignment with all diligence and to be steadfast in their prayer life and their commitment to learning and living God’s word. That this entire family will have an unwavering commitment to serve God and advance God’s kingdom daily. That they all will excel in all they do for God’s glory. That they will never walk in lack a day in their lives. No spiritual, emotional, physical, mental or financial lack of no kind should accompany them.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - (LUKE 24:1-8 )(NIV)
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
Biblically the number 3 represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. This doesn’t mean we will do everything perfect here on earth or that we will be perfect in our own efforts. It simply reminds us that we are already perfected in Christ. As we separate ourselves from the outer world and draw in to the voice and commissions of God, we will see ourselves being perfected even more.
The number 3 is often used in the Bible to emphasize the wholeness and completeness of God. I am reminded of the Holy Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The three patriarchs before the flood, Abel, Enoch and Noah and the three patriarchs after the flood, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There are 27 books in the New Testament (3 x3x3). I am reminded that Jesus prayed three times before being arrested. He was put on the cross at the third hour of the day and died at the ninth hour of the day which is “3pm”. Jesus was resurrected after 3 days of being dead. There were 3 people(Peter, James and John) who saw 3 others (Jesus, Elijah, Moses) during the transfiguration on the Mountain. The list goes on and on. So as you fast for these days, please remember the power behind the number 3.
If you are currently on medications, please feel free to consult your doctor to ensure this fast will not adversely affect your health. If you are unable to fast because of medical reasons, agree to give up something else that you really like to do, during the fast. Stick to the social restrictions and any other secular pleasures you may forego for the Kingdom’s sake.
The 3-day fast will begin on April 5th 2023 at 9am and will end on April 8th, 2023 at 9am.
Each day of this fast should consist of daily scripture reading, prayer focus, and dietary restrictions.. God wants your body, which is his holy temple, to be purified and cleansed from clutter and unhealthy habits. He wants you to allow him to remove anything that hinders you from hearing and heeding his voice. Hence the idea of Blackout. When we go dark, it’s to separate us from the worldly (secular) pleasures to reset and reposition our focus on God and his kingdom assignment for our lives.
As you participate in this fast, if you violate one of the terms, just keep going forth, God simply honors your effort to sacrifice for him. Do your best. He loves you either way.
DIETARY and TEMPLE PURGING GUIDELINES
—Throughout this 3-day fast. You are to follow these Dietary and Purging guidelines.
DIETARY CONSUMPTION:
DRINK--
ONLY DRINK WATER
FOOD
Whatever is grown from the earth
It is permissible to use seasonings produced naturally from the earth .
*
****NO TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, MARIJUANA, OR ILLICIT DRUGS, SHALL ENTER YOUR BODY UNLESS MEDICALLY REQUIRED AND PRESCRIBED
PURGING
*****NO VIDEO GAMES/COMPUTER SITES/MUSIC/SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE LIKE
***NO TV /COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE USE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR WORK OR INTENTIONAL KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT. LET GOD BE YOUR WITNESS
DAILY SCRIPTURE FOCUS --- (4/2/23 ---- 4/9/23)
Read the daily scriptures that have been provided with you as well as the daily kingdom tasks that have been provided to you for this passion week
BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE:
PASSION WEEK CHALLENGE—
Every member of OLCC is asked to participate in this Passion Week Challenge (PWC). This challenge will overlap the fasting period and will help you become even stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. This PWC is designed to complement the fast and not compete with the fast. The PWC dates are April 2, 2023—April 9, 2023.
In this PWC, you are required to participate in daily scripture readings, perform various Kingdom tasks, and pray daily for at least 30 consistent minutes a day.
PASSION WEEK FOCUS SCRIPTURES
April 2, 2023- April 9th, 2023
Daily consecration
PALM SUNDAY - (April 2, 2023)
KINGDOM TASK— *Call up at least 3 people and pray for them
PRAYER FOCUS:--
One Love Christian Church: redirect our commitment to God, commitment to studying God’s word, commitment to the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit and commitment to prayer. Prayer for you and your family members. Pray that each member will walk in their God given purpose and passion and embrace their salvation. That they will seek out their Kingdom assignment and be intentional in their efforts to complete it. Continue to pray and listen to God’s responses.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Philippians 2:5-11 (CSB):
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.
For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
MONDAY - April 3, 2023
KINGDOM TASK — *Bless Somebody today with a Hot Meal
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 42:1-4 (CEV):
Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations. He won’t shout or yell or call out in the streets. He won’t break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done. He won’t quit or give up until he brings justice everywhere on earth, and people in foreign nations long for his teaching.
TUESDAY - April 4, 2023
KINGDOM TASK - *Call At least 2 people today and discuss JC and the Kingdom for at least 15 minutes
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 49:1-4 (NIV):
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
WEDNESDAY - April 5, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service OLCC 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Matthew 26:14-16 (CEB):
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in.
THURSDAY - April 6, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service ARK CHURCH 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - John 13:12-16 (ESV):
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
GOOD FRIDAY - April 7, 2023
TASK - *Attend Passion Service OLCC 7pm
PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Isaiah 53:1-5 (KJV):
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
SATURDAY- April 8, 2023
TASKS - *Attend Outreach today-feed the community
*Call 3 sinners and invite them to Church & to accept Christ
PRAYER FOCUS - PRAYER FOCUS - Pray for at least 30 consistent minutes
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - Romans 6:3-11 (NLT):
Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
RESURRECTION SUNDAY - April 9, 2023
TASK - *Call 3 sinners and pray for them and offer salvation.
PRAYER FOCUS –
Pastor John and Elder Pauline Fitzpatrick and their family for: divine favor, protection, natural and spiritual prosperity, wisdom and encouragement and willingness to hear and obey the clear vision of God for the ministry, as well as their family. That they will have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is telling them for this season and how to be most effective in their kingdom mandate.
Also pray for their two kids, Cameron and Tre, to accept their kingdom assignment with all diligence and to be steadfast in their prayer life and their commitment to learning and living God’s word. That this entire family will have an unwavering commitment to serve God and advance God’s kingdom daily. That they all will excel in all they do for God’s glory. That they will never walk in lack a day in their lives. No spiritual, emotional, physical, mental or financial lack of no kind should accompany them.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS - (LUKE 24:1-8 )(NIV)
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.