21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
For many, fasting seems to be an intimidating spiritual practice. As Americans we survive and thrive on a culture of consumption and the thought of going without food makes us sick! However, throughout Scripture we see God’s people go deeper in their devotion with Him by expressing their reliance on Him through fasting. But, beware, we don’t just fast to get something we want. Fasting is usually a responsive action to see God move in our lives.
Author and speaker Scot McKnight believes that fasting follows an A + B + C structure. “A” is a sacred moment (death, sin, or fear) that prompts fasting. “B” is the act of fasting and “C” represents the expected results of fasting (such as life, forgiveness, or hope). With this understanding, fasting is not initiated to obtain things, but is instead a natural response to something serious.
Over time our necessities in life have changed to more than just food. Nowadays we may need to fast from Television, Movies, Social Media, or eating out. These are all appropriate things to fast from. Lynne Baab writes, “[Fasting] is removing something habitual to experience something new.” The goal is to remove something we usually consume so that we can experience God in a new, more profound way. A Biblical fast is always about experiencing God in a deeper way.
Biblical Examples of Fasting:
Throughout Scripture we see God’s people fasting for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of their stories that might be good for you to read before you begin your fast.
Luke 4:1-2
Nehemiah 1:4
2 Samuel 12:17-23
Esther 4:3
Acts 13:2, 14:23
Matthew 6:16
Motivations for Fasting:
Just like anything else in life, we are usually motivated by something to perform a certain action. According to the Bible, there are good and bad reasons for fasting. Check your motivations before you begin:
Do not fast…
1. To be seen by others (Matthew 6:18)
2. To be justified by God (Luke 18:9-14)
3. To be praised by God (1 Corinthians 8:8)
Fast…
1. To Repent
2. To gain spiritual strength against an enemy’s attack
3. To renew a desire for God that is taken away by a desire for other things (Mark 4:19)
4. To see what truly controls us
5. To give up good things for better things (time with Jesus!)
6. To show our desire for Christ’s return
7. To recognize and pay attention to the poor (Isaiah 58:6-7)
Structuring Your Fast:
To help you with your fast, read the information below and answer these questions so you’re focused and ready for what lies ahead.
Types of Fasts:
- Complete Fast — Drink only liquids, primarily water with some light juices as an option
- Partial Fast — Removing certain elements from your diet (Meats, Sugar, Bread, etc) or abstaining from food during a set time of the day (only eating dinner, etc).
- Soul Fast — Fasting from other things that might dominate your life (social media, TV, etc).
What type of fast will you be doing?
From what will you be fasting (food, social media, etc.)?
Why are you fasting/what are you hoping to learn about God through this experience?
What problems do you anticipate?
How will you record and track what you are learning and experiencing?
At what times during the day can you specifically pray for God to help you through the fast?
How long will your fast be? The church is encouraging everyone to begin their fast the evening of February 7th and end the morning of February 28th.
I will fast from _____________________________ to _________________________________.
Prayer & Reading Guide:
Below you will find a seven day devotional guide for you to utilize and engage with as you go through your fast. We recommend using this guide (or something similar) to make sure you are intentionally connecting with God. This guide will be reused at the beginning of each week of the 21 day fast.
Sunday: Our Father in Heaven…
Monday: May Your name be kept holy…
Tuesday: May Your kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…
Wednesday: Give us today the food we need…
Thursday: And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us…
Friday: And don’t let us yield to temptation…
Saturday: but rescue us from the evil one.
Author and speaker Scot McKnight believes that fasting follows an A + B + C structure. “A” is a sacred moment (death, sin, or fear) that prompts fasting. “B” is the act of fasting and “C” represents the expected results of fasting (such as life, forgiveness, or hope). With this understanding, fasting is not initiated to obtain things, but is instead a natural response to something serious.
Over time our necessities in life have changed to more than just food. Nowadays we may need to fast from Television, Movies, Social Media, or eating out. These are all appropriate things to fast from. Lynne Baab writes, “[Fasting] is removing something habitual to experience something new.” The goal is to remove something we usually consume so that we can experience God in a new, more profound way. A Biblical fast is always about experiencing God in a deeper way.
Biblical Examples of Fasting:
Throughout Scripture we see God’s people fasting for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of their stories that might be good for you to read before you begin your fast.
Luke 4:1-2
Nehemiah 1:4
2 Samuel 12:17-23
Esther 4:3
Acts 13:2, 14:23
Matthew 6:16
Motivations for Fasting:
Just like anything else in life, we are usually motivated by something to perform a certain action. According to the Bible, there are good and bad reasons for fasting. Check your motivations before you begin:
Do not fast…
1. To be seen by others (Matthew 6:18)
2. To be justified by God (Luke 18:9-14)
3. To be praised by God (1 Corinthians 8:8)
Fast…
1. To Repent
2. To gain spiritual strength against an enemy’s attack
3. To renew a desire for God that is taken away by a desire for other things (Mark 4:19)
4. To see what truly controls us
5. To give up good things for better things (time with Jesus!)
6. To show our desire for Christ’s return
7. To recognize and pay attention to the poor (Isaiah 58:6-7)
Structuring Your Fast:
To help you with your fast, read the information below and answer these questions so you’re focused and ready for what lies ahead.
Types of Fasts:
- Complete Fast — Drink only liquids, primarily water with some light juices as an option
- Partial Fast — Removing certain elements from your diet (Meats, Sugar, Bread, etc) or abstaining from food during a set time of the day (only eating dinner, etc).
- Soul Fast — Fasting from other things that might dominate your life (social media, TV, etc).
What type of fast will you be doing?
From what will you be fasting (food, social media, etc.)?
Why are you fasting/what are you hoping to learn about God through this experience?
What problems do you anticipate?
How will you record and track what you are learning and experiencing?
At what times during the day can you specifically pray for God to help you through the fast?
How long will your fast be? The church is encouraging everyone to begin their fast the evening of February 7th and end the morning of February 28th.
I will fast from _____________________________ to _________________________________.
Prayer & Reading Guide:
Below you will find a seven day devotional guide for you to utilize and engage with as you go through your fast. We recommend using this guide (or something similar) to make sure you are intentionally connecting with God. This guide will be reused at the beginning of each week of the 21 day fast.
Sunday: Our Father in Heaven…
- Focus on how much God loves you.
- Talk to God about how thankful you are that He’s given you access to Him.
- Spend some time adoring Him and the relationship that you are able to enjoy with Him through Jesus.
- What do you love most about your relationship with God?
- Where would you like to improve your relationship with God?
Monday: May Your name be kept holy…
- Focus on how big God is and how wonderful He is.
- Use a journal to write down some attributes that amaze you about God. Write out questions you have.
- Spend time thinking about God
Tuesday: May Your kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…
- Who are you living for? Are you living only for your success, your happiness, and your gain?
- For what purpose do you think God has called you?
- What would it look like to live in a way that helps make God’s will a reality?
- What do you need to pray for so that God’s will may be accomplished?
Wednesday: Give us today the food we need…
- What are some things you need today? What are you trusting for Him to provide?
- Spend some time telling God what you need and why you need it.
Thursday: And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us…
- Everyone sins. We lose control, Lose our temper, and lose our focus.
- For what do you need forgiven?
- Realize that you are forgiven and give that same grace to the people in your lives.
- Who do you need to forgive? How can you forgive them?
Friday: And don’t let us yield to temptation…
- We are in a constant battle to do what’s right. And no matter how hard we try, temptation is always there.
- Ask Him for the strength, endurance, and will to say “no” to the things that will mess life up.
- What are some things in life you need help to resist?
Saturday: but rescue us from the evil one.
- Reflect on all the times God has rescued you from the evil one.
- What temptations did you overcome? What pain did you work through?
- What evil did you pray over?
- At the end of this time, spend your last few moments thanking God for the ultimate rescue He provided through His son Jesus on the cross. You are forgiven. You are protected. And you are made whole through the sacrifice of Jesus — The ultimate rescue from and defeat of the evil one.