Fasting doesn’t change God’s heart — it changes ours.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8

Five Days of Prayer and Fasting

Our Purpose

As we prepare for the One Step Closer Conference, we are setting aside five days to intentionally seek God through prayer and fasting.

Fasting is not about trying to earn God’s favour or convince Him to move. It is about removing distractions, humbling ourselves, and creating space to hear His voice more clearly.

During these five days, you may choose to fast food, a particular meal, social media, entertainment, or something else that regularly occupies your attention. Choose a fast that is appropriate for your health and circumstances.

Our prayer is that this conference will not simply be another event, but a significant moment in which people encounter God and take their next step closer to Him.

Focused Prayer Points

  • Day 1: A Step of Surrender – Lay Everything Down

    Scripture:
    “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” – Psalm 37:5 NLT

    Devotional Thought:
    Every step closer to God begins with surrender. Before we ask God to move in our circumstances, we must allow Him to work within our hearts. Surrender means releasing our plans, expectations, worries, and desires into God’s hands.

    As we prepare for the One Step Closer Conference, let us come with open hearts and open hands. God may want to challenge us, redirect us, or ask us to release something we have been holding onto. Surrender positions us to hear His voice and obediently follow His leading.

    Reflection Questions:

    • What am I holding onto that God is asking me to surrender?

    • Am I willing to obey God, even when His direction is different from my plans?

    Prayer Points:

    • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that needs to be surrendered.

    • Pray that every person attending the conference will come with an open and willing heart.

    Prayer Prompt:
    Father, I surrender my plans, expectations, worries, and desires to You. Search my heart and remove anything that would hinder me from hearing Your voice. Prepare me to receive everything You want to do in my life.

  • Day 2: A Step of Hunger – Seek Him Wholeheartedly

    Scripture:
    “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” – Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

    Devotional Thought:
    Spiritual hunger creates room for God to move within us. It is possible to attend a conference, hear powerful preaching, and experience wonderful worship without allowing God to deeply transform our hearts.

    We do not want to approach the conference casually or simply go through the motions. We want to arrive hungry for God’s presence, His Word, and His purposes. As we fast, we are reminding ourselves that our greatest need is not physical, it is spiritual. We need more of Jesus.

    Reflection Questions:

    • How hungry am I for a fresh encounter with God?

    • What distractions have been competing for my attention and affection?

    Prayer Points:

    • Ask God to awaken a deeper hunger for His presence and His Word.

    • Pray that spiritual complacency and distraction will be replaced with expectation.

    Prayer Prompt:
    God, awaken a fresh hunger within me. Remove every distraction that has taken my attention away from You. Give our church a deep desire for Your presence, Your Word, and everything You want to do among us.

  • Day 3: A Step of Unity – Stand Together as One

    Scripture:
    “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” – Ephesians 4:3 NLT

    Devotional Thought:
    There is great strength when God’s people stand together in unity. The enemy often attempts to bring offence, misunderstanding, comparison, and division before significant spiritual moments.

    As we approach the conference, we are praying that every leader, speaker, volunteer, ministry team, and person attending will be united in heart and purpose. We are not gathering around personalities, preferences, or programs. We are gathering around Jesus and believing together for His Kingdom to advance.

    Reflection Questions:

    • Is there any offence, hurt, or misunderstanding that I need to release?

    • How can I encourage and strengthen someone else this week?

    Prayer Points:

    • Pray for unity, peace, and healthy relationships throughout the church.

    • Pray for the speakers, leaders, worship team, volunteers, and everyone serving.

    Prayer Prompt:
    Father, make us one. Remove offence, comparison, misunderstanding, and division from among us. Help us to honour, encourage, and support one another as we seek You together.

  • Day 4: A Step of Faith – Believe God for More

    Scripture:
    “Anything is possible if a person believes.” – Mark 9:23 NLT

    Devotional Thought:
    Faith believes that God is able to do more than we can accomplish in our own strength. We are not placing our confidence in a conference program, a speaker, or our own preparation. Our confidence is in the power and faithfulness of God.

    As we pray and fast, let us believe for salvation, healing, freedom, restoration, fresh calling, and spiritual breakthrough. There may be situations that seem impossible to us, but nothing is impossible for God. Let faith rise as we believe that one encounter with Jesus can change everything.

    Reflection Questions:

    • Where do I need to trust God more deeply?

    • What breakthrough am I believing God to bring during the conference?

    Prayer Points:

    • Pray for salvation, healing, freedom, restoration, and renewed faith.

    • Pray that every limitation, fear, and stronghold will be broken through the power of Jesus.

    Prayer Prompt:
    God, increase my faith. Help me to believe beyond what I can see and understand. We ask You to bring salvation, healing, freedom, restoration, and breakthrough as we gather together.

  • Day 5: A Step of Expectation – Prepare for God to Move

    Scripture:
    “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.” – Joshua 3:5 NLT

    Devotional Thought:
    Expectation is faith looking forward. Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told them to prepare themselves because God was about to do something only He could do.

    As we enter the One Step Closer Conference, we are not simply attending another event. We are preparing for an encounter with God. Let us come ready to worship, ready to listen, ready to respond, and ready to take our next step closer to Jesus.

    God may speak differently to each person, but our posture should be the same: “Lord, I am ready. Speak to me and lead me.”

    Reflection Questions:

    • What am I expecting God to do in my life during the conference?

    • Am I prepared to respond with faith and obedience when God speaks?

    Prayer Points:

    • Pray that every person will come to the conference with faith and expectation.

    • Pray for God’s presence to fill every session and for lives to be transformed.

    Prayer Prompt:
    Lord, we come with expectation. Prepare our hearts for everything You want to do. Fill every session with Your presence, speak clearly to us, and give us the courage to respond with faith and obedience. Lead each of us one step closer to You.

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.

  • Fasting Draws Us Closer

  • Closer Through The Word

  • Closer Through Prayer

  • Closer Through Worship

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?

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Click "Daniel Fast" to visit the website
    Daniel Fast

Liquid Fast

No solid food-Just liquid!

  • This looks like fruit juices and smoothies. (Again, don't try to bend this one—no chocolate milkshakes!)

  • Click "Liquid Fast" to visit the website
    Liquid Fast

Water Fast

A great way to stretch yourself!

  • 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.

  • Click Water Fast" to visit the website
    Water Fast

Additional Resources

  • If you’re pregnant or nursing, your health—and the health of your baby—is the priority. Traditional food fasting may not be suitable during this season, and that's okay! There are still meaningful and powerful ways to participate in fasting week.

    Consider fasting from non-essential things that consume your time or attention—like social media, streaming services, shopping, or sugar. These can be beautiful ways to create space for God in your heart and home while still caring for your body and baby.

    Remember, fasting is about focus, not just food. It’s about setting time aside to draw closer to God and seek His presence. So whatever you choose to fast—do it with purpose, and know that your devotion matters deeply.

    We’re believing that God will meet you right where you are in this precious season.

  • Choosing to fast—even while facing health challenges—can be a powerful step of faith. But it's important to use wisdom. We encourage you to consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have existing health conditions. Everyone’s body is different, and your doctor can provide guidance tailored to you.

    Remember, fasting isn’t only about food. You can still participate meaningfully in our fasting week by cutting back on social media, entertainment, sweets, or junk food. The key is to remove distractions and make space for God.

    Once you’ve prayerfully decided what to fast—commit to it! We’re believing that as you seek Him, God will move powerfully in your heart and life.