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From December 11th to the 31st—a Unique Opportunity to Receive the Most Precious Gift: The Holy Spirit
From December 11th to the 31st, The Universal Church will hold the Fast of Daniel: 21 Days to Hear the Voice of God. The closing date coincides with the New Year’s Eve Vigil for the Family.
The Fast of Daniel is a time when we leave the information of this world behind and focus on God’s presence. It is an opportunity to be more sensitive to God’s voice and to detox our minds and hearts from the large flood of negative information that surrounds us.
Daily, people have been feeding on the words of this world. However, when we exchange the sources of this world for the source of the Word of God, the result is transformative. Therefore, bring Him into your life. Seek God’s presence or renew your covenant with the Holy Spirit.
When we prioritize God and actively seek Him above all else, we will surely find Him. Do this and have the greatest experience of your life:
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
During a recent “Word of Faith” program, Bishop Macedo advised:
“The Fast of Daniel is not a fast from food or drink. It is a fast from thoughts. You will stop thinking the thoughts of the world, which means that instead of drinking in the news, the wars, the promiscuity, the deaths, keeping up with what is happening on social media, and the glamour of this world…, you will leave all that aside.”
“You will fast for 21 days, thinking only about the things of God, without any of the ‘garbage’ of the world that enters our minds. And there’s one detail: I will teach you how to do this fast properly, and it will help you receive the Holy Spirit even before the 21st day. For the Fast of Daniel to have an effect on your life, you will leave the information of this world aside and focus your thoughts on the Word of God.”
Then, the bishop indicated Psalm 37:1-4 as the Scripture we should apply in this Fast of Daniel. “These are the steps we must take to be successful in our spiritual life,” Bishop Macedo emphasized.
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:1-4)
Bishop Bira Joshua commented on the great importance of this Fast of Daniel for those who desire to be true witnesses of the Lord Jesus on Earth, “These will be 21 days to seek the Spirit of God. Jesus went through the waters of the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove. So the Fast of Daniel starts on the 11th. On December 31st, we are going to break into the New Year in the Presence of God. And if you do not have the Holy Spirit, do like Jacob, who said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ (Genesis 32:26)—you will say, ‘God, I will not let this 2024 go without receiving Your spirit. I thank You for what You have done this year. You gave me a job. You healed me. You blessed me. But I don’t have Your Spirit yet. What are all these blessings to me if I don’t have the Holy Spirit? I’m not Your witness yet. I want Your Spirit.’”
• Empty your mind and heart from all you have used to bring you some temporary comfort or relaxation and fill yourself with the Word of God and His Spirit, a source of unshakeable comfort and eternal peace.
• Meditate in the Word of God, pray, analyze yourself, and put it into practice in your daily life. Please see below the suggested Bible reading plan for December:
• Participate in church services as many days as possible. The Universal Church is open daily with services from Monday to Friday at 10 AM, 4 PM, and 7 PM, Saturdays at 8 AM, and Sundays at 10 AM. Times may vary for each location. You may text 1-888-312-4141 for more information.
• Share the love of God with those around you with your decisions, actions, and reactions. The Fast of Daniel is very personal, so avoid pressuring family and friends to fast along with you.
Those participating in the Fast of Daniel may watch videos that strengthen their faith and help them draw near God. Select movies, documentaries, and videos that have a message of faith based on the Word of God and that allow you to maintain the focus on receiving the Holy Spirit.
However, be careful to spend only some of your time watching these videos. Do not occupy all your time watching videos or listening to Christian music. The goal of this fast is for you to build a stronger relationship with God, abandon the old life and behaviors that displease Him, and be sincere in prayer.
Although this Fast of Daniel is not from food but entertainment, you may also fast from some foods that please you or decide to eat healthier foods. You may eat healthier portions and drink more water instead of sugary sodas during the fast.
The prevailing mentality of the world today has been to drift away from God and the principles shared in His Word. The Fast of Daniel goes against this current and helps the person return to being in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26), filled with the Holy Spirit.
Join Bishop Joshua on the Journey of Faith prayers from Monday to Friday at 9 PM CT / 10 PM ET on his official telegram channel: @BishopJoshuaFonseca. Call 1-888-332-4141, text 1-888-312-4141, or visit The Universal Church for more information.
