21-Days of Fasting & Prayer
January 9th-January 29th
Welcome to our fasting and prayer plan page! We are so glad you have decided to join us on this journey of spiritual growth and renewal.
Fasting and prayer are powerful spiritual disciplines commanded in Scripture (1 Corinthians 7:5; Acts 14:23;Joel 2:12) and utilized by believers for centuries to draw us closer to God and seek His guidance and direction. In this plan, we will guide you through a period of intentional fasting and prayer, along with a Bible plan, to help you on your journey.
Whether you are new to fasting and prayer or have been practicing for years, we hope that this plan will be a blessing to you and help you grow in your relationship with God. So let's get started! We pray that this time of fasting and prayer will be a transformative experience for you and that you will sense the presence and power of God in your life like never before.
Customize Your Plan
A plan helps to keep us focused and motivated. When we have a clear plan in place, it is easier to stay committed to the fast and to keep our minds and hearts focused on seeking Jesus. As you customize a plan that works for you consider the following:
A plan can help to keep us accountable. When we share our plan with others or join a group that is also fasting, we can be held accountable to follow through with the fast.
A plan can help us to be more intentional about our fasting and prayer. By planning out the specific details of our fast, we can be more purposeful in our time with God and make the most of the opportunity to seek Him.
A plan can help us to track our progress and see the results of our fasting and prayer. By keeping a journal or recording our thoughts and experiences during the fast, we can look back and see how God has worked in our lives.
Overall, creating a plan for fasting and prayer can help to make the experience more meaningful, purposeful, and impactful.
The Bible Reading Plan
Mark's Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament, making it an accessible and easy-to-read option for those new to the Bible or those looking for a shorter reading plan. Mark's Gospel emphasizes the actions and teachings of Jesus, making it a great introduction for learning more about the life and ministry of Jesus. It is written in a straightforward, narrative style that is easy to follow and understand. As you read Mark's Gospel, you will have the opportunity to learn about the miracles and teachings of Jesus, as well as the events leading up to his death and resurrection.
Join us as we embark in this plan together!
The following plan includes: days of deeper study, catch-up days, and community readings.
The Fasting Plan
When we fast, we abstain from food or certain pleasures in order to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
However, it is important to have a plan in place before fasting. A fasting plan can help to keep us focused and motivated, keep us accountable, and make the experience more intentional and purposeful. By planning out the specific details of our fast, we can be more prepared and make the most of the opportunity to seek God.
Ultimately, the type of fast that is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Contact your elders if you need any help getting started!
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This type of fast involves abstaining from all food and drink (except for water) for a period of time.
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This type of fast involves abstaining from certain types of food or drink, or eating only certain types of food (such as vegetables or grains) for a period of time.
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This type of fast is based on the fasts of the prophet Daniel and involves abstaining from certain foods (such as meat, sweets, and bread made with yeast) and focusing on a diet of vegetables and water.
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This type of fast involves abstaining from the use of certain technologies (such as social media, television, or the internet) for a period of time in order to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
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This type of fast involves abstaining from certain activities or pleasures (such as shopping, entertainment, or leisure activities) in order to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
Most Important:
Hold yourself accountable to 2-3 people for this plan.
The Prayer Plan
For the next 21 days, we will be setting aside one hour each day for focused prayer. This is an opportunity for us develop spiritual disciplines and deep affections for our Savior.
We encourage you to join us in this challenge and make prayer a priority during this time. We will be utilizing the One-Hour Prayer Wheel to facilitate enjoyable prayer
1. PRAISE
Start your prayer hour by praising the Lord. Praise Him for things that are on your mind right now. Praise Him for one special thing He has done in your life in the past week. Praise Him for His goodness to your family. (Psalm 34:1)
2. WAITING
Spend this time waiting on the Lord. Let Him pull together reflections or you. Think about the hour before you and the things you want the Lord to do in your life. (Psalm 27:14)
3. CONFESSION
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your life which might be displeasing to Him. Ask Him to point out attitudes that are wrong, as well as specific acts for which you have not yet made a prayer of confession. Now confess that to the Lord and claim 1 John 1:9 so that you might be cleansed for the remainder of the hour before you, and then pick up and read the Word. (Psalm 51:1-19)
4. READ THE WORD
Spend time reading promises of God in the Psalms, in the prophets, and passages on prayer located in the New Testament. Check your concordance. (Psalm 119:97)
5. PETITION
This is a general request for others, praying through the prayer list, the prayer cards, or personal prayer interest on behalf of yourself and others. (Hebrews 4:16)
6. INTERCESSION
Specific payer on behalf of others. Pray specifically for those requests of which you are aware. (Romans 15:30-33)
7. PRAY THE WORD
Now take the Scriptures and start praying the Scriptures as certain sections of Psalm 119 lend themselves beautifully to prayer expression. (Psalm 119:38-46)
8. THANKSGIVING
Spend these minutes giving thanks to the Lord for things in your life, things on behalf of the church, things on behalf of your family. (Philippians 4:6)
9. SINGING
Take your hymnal and sing a prayer song, sing a praise song, sing a song regarding soul winning or witnessing. Let it be a time of praise. (Psalm 59:17)
10. MEDITATE
Ask the Lord to speak back to you and keep a paper and pen handy, ready to relate the impressions that He makes upon your life. (Psalm 63)
11. LISTEN
Spend time merging the things you have read from the Word, the things you have prayed, the things you have thanked the Lord for, the things that you have been singing, and see how the Lord brings them all together to speak to you. (I Samuel 3:9-10)
12. END WITH PRAISE
Praise the Lord for the time you have had to spend with Him. Praise Him for the impressions that He has given you. Praise Him for the prayer requests He raised up in your mind. (Psalm 145:1-13)
VIDEO: If you don’t have a daily prayer routine, the Prayer Wheel is a great way to get one started. This video includes prompts when each new section begins.
REGISTER TODAY
Start off the new year by setting aside some time to encounter God! We’ll be meeting together from our homes on Saturday, January 28, from 9:00am to 12:30 pm (via Zoom).
Amy Boucher Pye, author of 7 Ways to Pray, will give background on three essential prayer practices and then lead us in them:
Praying with the Bible
Practicing the presence of God
Hearing God
Invite your friends and join us as we walk in these discipleship practices and meet with the God who always wants to meet with us.
About Amy Boucher Pye:
Amy Boucher Pye is an author, speaker, and spiritual director. She writes regularly for Our Daily Bread and British publications. She loves helping people to meet God through prayer, which is the focus of her book 7 Ways to Pray: Time-Tested Practices for Encountering God (NavPress, 2021). An American who has made her home in the UK for over two decades, she lives with her family in North London. Find her at amyboucherpye.com.
*Registration is required for access to Seminar* CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
