Draw near to God,
and he will
draw near to you.
James 4:8
About
Hey, church family! We have exciting news—our Fasting Week is about to begin This week is all about awakening our God-given potential through prayer and fasting. As Isaiah 43:19 (AMP) says, "I am about to do a new thing…Now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it?"
Let's prepare our hearts for what God is about to do! Let's activate our faith through fasting and prayer and believe for breakthroughs!
Focused Prayer Points
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Day 1: Surrender and Making Him Lord
Begin the week by fully surrendering your life to Jesus, making Him Lord. Invite Him to lead you in every area of your life.
Scripture:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV) -
Day 2: Hunger for God and His Presence
Cultivate a deeper hunger for God and His presence. Spend time in worship and meditation, seeking a closer relationship with Him.Scripture:
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NIV) -
Day 3: Breakthrough
Pray for breakthroughs in every area of your life—spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational. Believe in God's power to overcome obstacles and bring about His purposes.
Scripture:"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." (Exodus 14:13, NIV)
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Day 4: Awaken God-Given Potential
Pray for an awakening of the dormant potential within you. Ask God to reveal and activate the gifts and talents He has placed in you.
Scripture:
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) -
Day 5: Fresh Vision, Direction, and Dreams
End the week by seeking God's fresh vision and direction for your life. Ask Him to renew your dreams and guide your steps.
Scripture:"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
Getting a Breakthrough
Here is a great teaching from Ps Allan Meyer on what prayer & fasting is and the power prayer & fasting can hold in your life.
What is Fasting?
Fasting is when you give up food for a certain amount of time. When we remove or reduce our food intake, it weakens our bodies, forcing us to become closer to God and rely on His strength more than our own.
Fasting is not required for salvation, and there’s no pressure! But, it is something that Jesus did (He didn’t eat for 40 days at one time) and instructed his disciples to do. Check out Matthew 4:1-11 and Matthew 6:16-18 to see more about Jesus’ heart for fasting.
Why Do We Fast?
The power of fasting comes when we combine it with prayer and the faith to believe that God will come through. So what are you praying for this fast? Set your goals and be expectant. Let the desire of what you’re believing for be greater than your desire for food. But more than these things, let’s desire for greater intimacy with Jesus.
How Do You Fast?
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Decide what you are going to fast, then prepare physically, mentally, and practically. Plan your schedule to include more time with God, and plan to change your diet in the lead-up to allow your body time to adjust.
Make sure to check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to fast. -
Fasting does not change God, it changes us! The promise is as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. This fast is about greater intimacy with God and to know Him better.
As you fast you may also feel to pray for breakthrough for your family, in your career, greater financial provision, or something else. Be clear and define your objectives before you fast.
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It's hard to hear from God and grow in your intimacy with Him if your heart is not right. The two key areas to look at here are unconfessed sins and offense. It's important to get these areas in your heart right before fasting!
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It may seem obvious, but if you're just fasting and not praying, it's simply a hunger strike! Fasting is all about becoming more intimate with God. As you fast, pray and intentionally spend time with God, asking Him to speak to you!
What Does a Fast Look Like?
The biblical model for fasting means giving up food—either completely or in part. You can also fast from distractions like social media and technology. Although these are not in the Bible, it does make sense to fast from things that distract you in your relationship with God. However, we’d encourage you to also fast from food—this is the best way to notice your physical weakness and begin to rely on God’s strength.
One Meal
Just eat one meal a day!
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Skip breakfast and lunch, then eat dinner, or something similar. As you go about your day, you'll be hungry and reminded to rely on God. (Disclaimer: this doesn't mean you eat three meals' worth of food in your one meal!)
Daniel Fast
Based on what Daniel ate in the Bible!
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This means no meat, dairy, breads, processed foods, or refined sugar. The focus is on raw fruits and vegetables, water, whole grains, and nuts and seeds.
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Click "Daniel Fast" to visit the website
Daniel Fast
Liquid Fast
No solid food-Just liquid!
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This looks like fruit juices and smoothies. (Again, don't try to bend this one—no chocolate milkshakes!)
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Click "Liquid Fast" to visit the website
Liquid Fast
Water Fast
A great way to stretch yourself!
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This is a great way to really stretch yourself – consume nothing but water! This completely removes all food, making you weak and reliant on God.
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Click Water Fast" to visit the website
Water Fast
Additional Resources
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Choosing to fast even in the midst of health challenges can be powerful. But it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor first. Fasting can affect people differently, depending on their health condition. The doctor knows your unique situation and can give you personalized advice. You can still participate in our fasting week in other ways safe for your health, like cutting back on social media/entertainment and saying no to sweets or junk food. Just remember, if you decide to reduce food intake, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you. When you finally decide on what to fast, commit to it! We’re believing that God will show up!
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Choosing to fast even in the midst of health challenges can be powerful. But it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor first. Fasting can affect people differently, depending on their health condition. They know your unique situation and can give you personalized advice. You can still participate in our fasting week in other ways safe for your health, like cutting back on social media/entertainment and saying no to sweets or junk food. Just remember, if you decide to reduce food intake, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you. When you finally decide on what to fast, commit to it! We’re believing that God will show up!