Prayer & Fasting

January 11th - 31st

Start your year with purpose! As we step into a new year, we’re setting aside the first 21 days to seek God, hear His voice, and align our hearts with His. These three intentional weeks help set the course for all things ahead. Join us as we put Jesus Over Everything through daily prayer, fasting, and time in God’s Word. Let’s begin the year by giving God our first and best!

Simply stated, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. In Hebrew, the word for fasting, Tsum (צוּם), literally means "to cover the mouth," signifying abstaining from food for spiritual reasons, a concept also found in Greek (nesteia). It's a powerful image of deliberately denying the mouth its usual function.

This fast is a spiritual journey to help you focus on God, seek His guidance, and prepare your heart for the new year. It also provides you with an opportunity to set aside distractions, grow in faith, and deepen your connection with God. Fasting is not about trying to earn God’s favor—it’s about letting go of what holds us back so we can fully embrace His plans for our lives.

What is Fasting?

As a church, we are fasting in order to walk in step with God’s plan and purpose, and we are accomplishing this by substituting our regular food intake with Bible reading, praying and journaling.

The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God. Fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength – strength you can only receive from God. Your private discipline will bring you rewards in Heaven, as stated in Matthew 6.

Suggested Fasting Guidelines

There are different ways to fast, and it’s important to pray and choose one that God is asking of you for a set period of time:

Complete Fast – Liquids only (water or juice).
Partial Fast – Fast from specific meals or foods (i.e. meats, sweets, dairy, breads, or processed foods).
Daniel Fast – Consuming only fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and water

Choose a Fast

How Do You Fast & PRAY?

Prayer is simply a conversation with God—an open and honest dialogue where you can express your heart, seek His guidance, and align your life with His will. During this time of prayer and fasting, use the following structure to deepen your prayer time:

Start with Worship - Begin by acknowledging God’s greatness and expressing gratitude for who He is and what He has done.
Confess and Surrender - Ask God to search your heart and reveal anything that hinders your relationship with Him. Confess any sins and surrender every area of your life to Him.
Pray the Word - Use Scripture as the foundation for your prayers. Declare God’s promises and align your prayers with His Word.
Present Your Requests - Share your specific needs and concerns with God. Pray for personal growth, family, community, and the world.
Intercede for Others - Pray for the needs of others, including your church, leaders, and those who do not know Christ.
Listen for God’s Voice - Spend a few moments in silence, asking God to speak to your heart. Be attentive to His guidance and direction.
Close with Thanksgiving and Declaration - End your prayer by thanking God for His faithfulness and declaring your trust in Him.

Tips for Fasting

Remain Consistent: Dedicate specific times each day for prayer and Scripture reading.
Stay Connected: Share your journey with others for encouragement and accountability.
Be Focused: Write down what God reveals to you during the fast.

As you pray during this fast, trust that God hears you, loves you, and is working in your life. Let this be a season of deep connection, faith, and spiritual growth.