Week of Prayer and Fasting

 
January 21st – 26th
 
Sunday: 6:00-7:30pm Worship and Prayer (Childcare provided)
Monday: 12:00-1:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00-8:00am, 12:00-1:00pm 
Wednesday: 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm
Friday: 12:00-1:00pm
 
Resources:
 
 

Fasting and Prayer

“When you fast…” “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” -Jesus

     When Jesus spoke of fasting He spoke of the certainty of ‘when you fast’. Throughout the Bible we see examples and exhortation concerning fasting and prayer.  Jesus modeled it, instructed His disciples in it, and the New Testament letters speak of the early church practicing it. With that in mind I am asking you to join us for prayer and fasting the week of January 21st-26th.

     I realize that as I ask this church family to join together in prayer and fasting that some have never fasted. For some the thought of going extended periods without food is not appealing at all. First, Jesus would not ask us to do something that was not possible to do, nor would He ask us to do something that was pointless.  Fasting and prayer belong together for you cannot benefit spiritually when you fast physically unless you are in prayer. Fasting is done by many different people for many different reasons; athletes fast to purge their bodies so they can perform better, physicians advise fasting for some ailments or conditions. Cults and other groups fast to awaken or get the attention of their gods. But the fast that God calls us to (Isaiah 58) is the fast that puts Him first and seeks His will. Biblical fasting is done for many reasons such as to:

1. Obey God (Isaiah 58:6)
2. Deny the flesh and discern His will (Daniel 9:3)
3. Strengthen the spiritual man (Matthew 4:2)
4. Honor God; without seeking attention from men. (Matthew 6:16)
5. Open our eyes and heart to what God desires to do and is doing. (Acts 13:2,3)

     Fasting is not a way to redirect the hand of God, rather it is a discipline that helps us to see the heart of God. Fasting helps to awaken us so we can hear what God is saying. Also, in a very intriguing way, fasting invokes the power of God in a given situation or need. (Mark 9:29)

     A fast may be done in various ways; Daniel was led by the Spirit to abstain from the Babylonian delicacies (Daniel 1:8), Jesus fasted from food, and the early church regularly fasted and prayed for God’s strength and direction. How you fast or what you fast from is between you and God (read Isaiah 58). I encourage you to sit before Him and allow Him to lead in this time. He will lead you in prayer, reveal His love and guide you into all truth when you put Him first.

     I will be sending out prayer points and personal perspectives throughout the week and encourage you to share with others what God is speaking to you during this time. I look forward to what God will do in and through us as He knits our hearts together and prepares us for what He has in store.

     I have included an excerpt that I believe is a great practical help in preparing as well as continuing in effective prayer and fasting. Also I have included a chapter reading that will help you as well.

Along with your personal prayer time I invite you to join us at the church for group prayer.

 

Through His Grace,  

Pastor Dan
 
 “Is this not the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke?”  Isaiah 58:6