Draw near to God,
and he will
draw near to you.
James 4:8
Focused Prayer Points
Here’s what we’ll be praying for in our 5 days of fasting. We’re excited about what God will do as we sacrificially take the time to set ourselves aside and fix our eyes on him, worship him, glorify him, and hunger for more of him in our lives and church.
-
Day 1: The Holiness of God
God’s character—his love, faithfulness, and mercy—originates from his holiness. We worship him today because he is set apart and worthy to be praised. Because of his holiness, we can be made clean from our sins and live for his glory.
Daily Prayer Points:
• God to reveal His holiness
• Cleansing from sin
• Thank God for who He is
Scriptures:
“Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.”
– Psalm 99:9 NIV
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
– 1 Chronicles 16:29 NIV
“Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!’”
– Isaiah 6:2-3 NIV
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’”
– 1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
– Hebrews 12:14 NLT -
Day 2: The Love of Jesus
The love of Jesus is full of holiness, humility, and power. He came to earth, became like us, and set the standard for what true love should look like. Let’s thank God for sending his only Son, Jesus, and pray to become more like him!Daily Prayer Points:
• Thank God for sending His Son
• Pray to be more like Him
• Experience Jesus’ loveScriptures:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
– Philippians 2:6-8 NLT
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
– 1 John 3:16 NIV
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
– Titus 3:4-6 NIV
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
– Galatians 2:20 ESV -
Day 3: The Faithfulness of Our Father
Our heavenly Father is consistent and true. Though the seasons may change, he stays the same. His promises then, we can still hold on to today. Today, let’s recall his faithfulness in our lives.
Daily Prayer Points:
• Thank God for His faithfulness
• Pray to be more like Him
• Experience Jesus’ love
Scriptures:
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
– Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”
– Psalm 33:4 NIV
“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
– Psalm 36:5 NIV
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning…”
– Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
– 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
– 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
– Hebrews 10:23 NIV -
Day 4: The Fear of God
A healthy fear of God isn’t being scared of him (although in the Bible encounters with him can be terrifying) — it’s about recognizing his reverence, taking his Word seriously, and honoring his authority. Today, we pray for a revelation of the fear of God in our lives and as a church.Daily Prayer Points
• Revelation of the fear of God
• We honor God’s Word
• Live in complete awe of who He is
Scriptures:
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
– Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV
“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.”
– Psalms 25:14 ESV
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
– Proverbs 8:13 NIV
“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
– Proverbs 19:23 ESV
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
– Matthew 10:28 NLT
“Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
– Philippians 2:12-13 NLT
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.”
– Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT -
Day 5: The Power of The Holy Spirit
It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience the intimate connection with God, as He guides, comforts, and empowers us in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leads us into truth, and enables us to live a life that honors and glorifies God. It is the Holy Spirit who equips us with spiritual gifts and empowers us to bear witness to the gospel
Daily Prayer Points:
• Walk in step with the Holy Spirit
• Equip us with spiritual gifts
• Boldness to share our faith
Scriptures:“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
– John 14:26 AMP
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.”
– Acts 1:8 NLT
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
– Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
– 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”
– 1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
– 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
What is Fasting?
Fasting is when you give up food for a certain amount of time. When we remove or reduce our food intake, it weakens our bodies, forcing us to become closer to God and rely on his strength more than our own.
Fasting is not required for salvation, and there’s no pressure! But, it is something that Jesus did (he didn’t eat for 40 days at one time) and instructed his disciples to do. Check out Matthew 4:1-11 and Matthew 6:16-18 to see more about Jesus’ heart for fasting.
Why Do We Fast?
The power of fasting comes when we combine it with prayer and the faith to believe that God will come through. So what are you praying for this fast? Set your goals and be expectant. Let the desire of what you’re believing for be greater than your desire for food. But more than these things, let’s desire for greater intimacy with Jesus.
How Do You Fast?
-
Decide what you are going to fast, then prepare physically, mentally, and practically. Plan your schedule to include more time with God, and plan to change your diet in the lead-up to allow your body time to adjust.
Make sure to check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to fast. -
Fasting does not change God, it changes us! The promise is as we draw near to God, he will draw near to us. This fast is about greater intimacy with God and to know him better.
As you fast you may also feel to pray for breakthrough for your family, in your career, greater financial provision, or something else. Be clear and define your objectives before you fast.
-
It's hard to hear from God and grow in your intimacy with him if your heart is not right. The two key areas to look at here are unconfessed sins and offense. It's important to get these areas in your heart right before fasting!
-
It may seem obvious, but if you're just fasting and not praying, it's simply a hunger strike! Fasting is all about becoming more intimate with God. As you fast, pray and intentionally spend time with God, asking him to speak to you!
What Does a Fast Look Like?
The biblical model for fasting means giving up food—either completely or in part. You can also fast from distractions like social media and technology. Although these are not in the Bible, it does make sense to fast from things that distract you in your relationship with God. However, we’d encourage you to also fast from food—this is the best way to notice your physical weakness and begin to rely on God’s strength.
One Meal
Just eat one meal a day!
-
Skip breakfast and lunch, then eat dinner, or something similar. As you go about your day, you'll be hungry and reminded to rely on God. (Disclaimer: this doesn't mean you eat three meals' worth of food in your one meal!)
Daniel Fast
Based on what Daniel ate in the Bible!
-
This means no meat, dairy, breads, processed foods, or refined sugar. The focus is on raw fruits and vegetables, water, whole grains, and nuts and seeds.
-
Liquid Fast
No solid food-Just liquid!
-
This looks like fruit juices and smoothies. (Again, don't try to bend this one—no chocolate milkshakes!)
-
Water Fast
A great way to stretch yourself!
-
This is a great way to really stretch yourself – consume nothing but water! This completely removes all food, making you weak and reliant on God.
-
Additional Resources
-
Choosing to fast even in the midst of health challenges can be powerful. But it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor first. Fasting can affect people differently, depending on their health condition. The doctor knows your unique situation and can give you personalized advice. You can still participate in our fasting week in other ways safe for your health, like cutting back on social media/entertainment and saying no to sweets or junk food. Just remember, if you decide to reduce food intake, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you. When you finally decide on what to fast, commit to it! We’re believing that God will show up!
-
Choosing to fast even in the midst of health challenges can be powerful. But it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor first. Fasting can affect people differently, depending on their health condition. They know your unique situation and can give you personalized advice. You can still participate in our fasting week in other ways safe for your health, like cutting back on social media/entertainment and saying no to sweets or junk food. Just remember, if you decide to reduce food intake, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you. When you finally decide on what to fast, commit to it! We’re believing that God will show up!