Seek God Every Day
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting is a time where we intentionally seek God every day as we believe for Him to move in powerful ways. If you are preparing for an upcoming 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, or you want to learn more about strengthening your personal prayer life, use these resources to help.
January 5-25
Fasting
When you fast, you partner with God. He desires to have a divine partnership with you in the area of fasting and prayer for your family, your life, and His purpose in the earth. There are times when God requires us to take a physical action to receive a spiritual blessing.
There’s a connection between what we do physically and what God releases spiritually in the Bible. Exodus 17 tells the story of a battle between the people of Israel and their enemies. During the battle, Moses held up the staff of God. As long as he held his hands up, the Israelites were winning. But when Moses’ arms became weary and he began to lower them, the battle would turn and Israel’s enemies would begin to prevail.
The story tells us that there are times when what we do physically affects our circumstances, the battle, and the victory spiritually. Fasting is perhaps the most powerful physical action a Christian can take to show God how sincere you are about wanting to see change.
Fasting Basics
SIMPLY STATED, BIBLICAL FASTING IS REFRAINING FROM FOOD FOR A SPIRITUAL PURPOSE.
According to the Bible, there are three duties of every Christian: give, pray, and fast.
Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength—strength which you can only receive from God. Your private discipline will bring you rewards in Heaven, says Matthew 6. When you give God your first through fasting, prayer, and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.
Why should I fast?
Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
Do you desire to know God’s will for your life?
BIBLICAL FASTING FOCUS
1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 KJV
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
ROMANS 12:1 KJV
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.”
MATTHEW 6:33 KJV
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
ISAIAH 58:6 KJV
“[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
Another great promise, from the book of Isaiah, proclaims that the chosen fast will “undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free.” We are living in tough economic times and we know that so many people are under a financial burden. As we come together to fast and pray, we believe that your burdens will be lifted and that financial blessings will be released into your life!
We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your biblical fasting come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. We believe that, as we pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year (Matthew 6:33 KJV)!
Fasting Reasons:
Health
Finances
Spiritual Growth
Family Member
Marriage
How to Fast
How to Begin
Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.
Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).
Deciding What to Fast
The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.
Deciding How Long
You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.
What to Expect
When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mindset on seeking God’s face.
How to End
Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
Types of fasting
THE DANIEL FAST
Steps to complete the Daniel Fast
Step 1: Be Specific
Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately. The king’s food was against dietary laws. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine. The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.
Step 2: Fast as a Spiritual Commitment
The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8 KJV).
Step 3: Reflect Inner Desire by Outer Discipline
Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for their health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health can be linked to any of the following factors: Your food choices. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body, and faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.
Step 4: Pray to Perceive Sin’s Role in Poor Health
Notice James 5:13-16 NKJV:
Sin is something related to the cause of sickness. Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion. Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography. Repentance is linked to health according to James. Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health. Sick people must desire to be well. The anointing oil could mean medicine for healing, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or it could be baptism. Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith is the major factor. In Greek there are several words for “sick”. James uses “Kanino”, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary. Attitude is important. James said, “are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
Step 5: Fast as a Statement of Faith to Others
Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king’s food.
Step 6: Learn the Effects of the Food You Eat
Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again.
Step 7: Yield All Results to God
Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13 NKJV).
FOOD GUIDELINES FOR A DANIEL FAST
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” Daniel 1:12 NKJV
“I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:3 NKJV
When going on a Daniel fast, or any type of fast, if you have questions outside of what Scripture says, prayerfully seek the Lord and be led by the Spirit for the specifics for your personal fast.
PARTIAL FAST
A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast, or give up at least one item of food.
FULL FAST
Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).
3-DAY FAST
This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.
Medical Advisory
Fasting can be very taxing on your body. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, please consult your physician before undertaking any kind of fast.
Scripture References for Fasting:
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 9:14-15
Luke 18:9-14
Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18
Nehemiah 1:4
Daniel 9:3, 20
Joel 2:12
Luke 2:37
Acts 10:30
Acts 13:2
Corporate Fasting:
1 Samuel 7:5-6
Ezra 8:21-23
Nehemiah 9:1-3
Joel 2:15-16
Jonah 3:5-10
Acts 27:33-37
Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12, 1 Corinthians 8:8). May God greatly bless you as you fast!
Fasting Lifestyle
Fasting in January is much like praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. When we put God first in our lives, in our families, in our finances – in everything – we believe that He will bless and multiply those areas. If we will pray and seek God and give Him our first and best at the beginning of the year, He will honor that sacrifice and bless our ENTIRE year!
If you are one of those people who sense that God has more for your life, take the first step and believe for more of Him.
Start the year off right and discover the rewards of putting God first! We look forward to hearing about what God will do in our lives and in our land as we seek Him together.
Make fasting a “lifestyle!”
Fasting is not just for the beginning of the year. Commit to fasting, prayer, and giving throughout the year and watch as God releases His hand of blessing over your entire year. Make fasting a regular part of your life and see how He supernaturally opens doors for you.
There is Life … and there is living … are you ready to start really living out God’s plan for your life?
There’s more to life…more to faith…more to you! God gives you the formula for success which boils down to two words: God first! That’s where God began. Look at your Bible. What are the very first words written?
“In the beginning…” Genesis 1:13.
“God first” is His priority that should rule every decision of our lives. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to hear His plan, receive His direction and His blessings. If you want success in your life, in your marriage, in your work, in your witness—putting God first is key.
God hears the cry of the oppressed and the unsaved. When God is our first priority, He can use us to help others. The words of Isaiah 58:6-14 give us insight into how significantly God views the power of fasting in fulfilling His kingdom purpose.