14 Days of Prayer and Fasting
At specific moments each year we purposefully set our focus on God and meditate on His promises.
The 14-day period of prayer and fasting is designed to prioritize our relationship with God and focus on his truths. As a community, we unify and set aside time to pray and wait on God to recalibrate our thoughts and restore our hope.
To help you pray intentionally, a daily prayer focus has been provided for you each day along with accompanying verses.
We will take January 17th-31st to pray and fast together as a church family.
We will have an opening prayer experience to launch into Prayer and Fasting on Wednesday, January 17th at 6:30pm and we will culminate with a prayer and communion service on Wednesday, January 31st at 6:30pm.
Additional Prayer Nights are available every week night from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the church.
These experiences are powerful and are not something you want to miss!
Why Pray
The power of prayer deepens our dependence on God and sharpens our faith. When we pray, we choose to put everything into God’s hands, knowing that prayer is central to our relationship with him.
"In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God's thoughts after him: to desire the things he desires, to love the things he loves, to will the things he wills." - Richard J. Foster
Anyone can practice the spiritual habit of prayer because God meets us where we are. Through prayer, he hears us and invites us to be intimately involved in his plan. For this reason, we pray in confidence knowing that our prayers are powerful and can bring about true change in any circumstance.
As we posture our hearts to listen to the Lord, we begin to pray with trust, openness, and faith because God can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). It’s not about our circumstance; it’s about our heart’s stance.
Prayer aligns our heart with God.
Prayer expresses trust in God.
Prayer allows collaboration with God.
Why Fast
Fasting is the practice of choosing to abstain from food for a certain period of time. True fasting centers on God as we spend concentrated time with him. It is a spiritual discipline in which we eliminate distractions for the purpose of drawing closer to God.
Fasting trains us to break the power of the flesh - our desires, sins, and cravings - as we feast on the Holy Spirit. Fasting reveals the things that control us so that we can attain freedom and transformation.
"Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way. It is a means of God's grace and blessing that should not be neglected." - Richard J. Foster
Fasting is not about getting from God, but getting to God as we train to become more like Christ. There are different types of fasting, and we recommend prayerfully considering which practice is best for you at this time.
Complete Fast
In a complete fast, you drink only liquids, typically only water and light juices.
Partial Fast
In a partial fast, you abstain from certain kinds of food. One example is the Daniel fast, in which you eat only fruits and vegetables.
Soul Fast
The soul fast is a great option if you have health issues that prevent food abstention or if you are new to fasting. One example is the social media fast, in which you refrain from using social media for the duration of the fast.
How To Pray
Two Ways To Pray:
We have two methods you can use to guide yours prayers. The "ACTS" model and the "SOAP" model. Each are outlined below to guide you through how to pray.
A — ADORATION
Tell God how much you appreciate Him.
This is a great way to begin your prayer time. Express your love for Him. Praise His power and majesty. You should never run out of praise.
C — CONFESSION
Tell God where you have fallen short.
Be specific. Thank Him for the forgiveness you have in Christ and ask for help and strength to turn away from future temptations.
T — THANKSGIVING
Express gratitude for what He’s doing in your life.
We have so much to be thankful for. Thank God for His love, His faithfulness, His patience. Express gratitude for what He’s doing in your life.
S — SUPPLICATION
Share your desires with God.
Nothing is too big or too small for God. He cares about every detail of your life. Pray for your own needs and for the needs of others.
P — PAUSE
Pausing means giving yourself space to slow your mind down and reflect on God’s goodness. Take a moment to shift your posture from the busyness of life to stillness in His presence.
R — REJOICE
Rejoicing means taking time to thank God for who He is and all He has done. Express to God what you are grateful for, such as your friends, family, church, health, and salvation. Think about all the answers to prayer you are living in today, and thank God for how far He’s brought you. If you are facing challenges, thank God for His faithfulness and that He’s still the same God who works miracles today.
A — ASK
Take time to present your requests to God in faith. Presenting our requests is bringing God what we can’t do to make space for what He can do. God cares about your needs and desires. God might not always answer your prayers the way you want or on your timetable, but He wants you to continue to come to Him in faith.
Y — YIELD
God wants us to trust Him and His way. Take time to surrender to Him. Follow God’s leading in prayer and listen for His direction and clarity. Remove distractions and write down any thoughts or verses that come to mind during this time.
To help you pray intentionally, the following prayer points and their accompanying verses can help guide you things you can bring before the Lord.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Healing: physical, emotional, spiritual, mental
Obadiah 1:17; Psalm 50:15; Jeremiah 15:21
Forgiveness: ourselves and others
2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 24:3-4; 1 John 1:7-10; Psalm 66:19; Proverbs 10:12; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:13
Consecration: fully surrendered and set apart to God
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
Peace & Unity: individuals, families, and our nation
Matthew 6:10,33; 2 Timothy 2:1-4
Salvation For The Lost: loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, community members, and the world
Ezekiel 11:19-20; John 1:12-13; John 3:16-17
Faith over Fear and Worry
Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:13; Luke 1:37