Why do we Fast
Most of us initiate our prayers with OUR goals in mind. What do WE want out of this.. When we start off in such a way, we have already blocked out possibly 90% of what God has to say to us.. give us.. Because we only want to hear and receive what WE want, we limit the blessings far beyond our imaginations because we refuse to let God reign over our vessels, which we claim to be part of His Kingdom. The message from God that appears the smallest to you, may indeed become much bigger than you can presently understand.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL IN PRAYER IS LISTENING
FOR GOD’S DIRECTIONS FOR OUR LIVES!
​
God has unique relationships with all of us and therefore our prayer lives are unique as well. Some of us put unnecessary pressures on ourselves to pray like someone we have heard, when the most important thing that God wants from us, is for us to Seek His Face (Psalm 27:8), to look for Him, the All Knowing for guidance, to love on Him, and continuously build a relationship with Him (John 15:14-15). A relationship with God is similar in one way to relationships with others, the more we communicate the stronger the relationship becomes; the communication is in fact our relationship. Prayer IS our relationship with God.
​
No prayer = no relationship with God
More prayer = BIGGER relationship with God
​
A humble heart and a mind open to Jesus is what He expects, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest (Romans 8:26,27).
Why should we Pray?
• We pray because we love God.
• We pray to worship God for who He is.
• We pray to say thanks to our Father.
• We pray to God to praise Him.
• We pray to petition God.
• We pray to confess our sins.
• We pray to intercede for others.
• We pray against the enemies of God.
• We pray to listen to God.
• We pray to resist temptation.
• We pray because He directs us to pray.
Why Should I Fast?
A fast is a period of abstaining from something; denying self from a desire. Fasting and Prayer combined can bring about a transformational revival- in you, the nation, the world... it can be a very powerful tool in seeking God.
The ultimate purpose of the fast is not you and what you seek, but God. Fasting is a true way to sacrifice for God and humble oneself to Him (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). Fasting is an act of worship and honoring.
How Should I Prepare for a Fast?
Spiritual Preparation
• Pray before you fast. Ensure that you communicate with God and seek His guidance regarding your fast.
• Ask God to help you to examine your heart, detect and repent any unconfessed sins.
Physical Preparation
• Consult a doctor before fasting, in order to ensure that all of your vitals are stable.
• If you have severe medical maladies you should definitely have professional supervision while fasting.
• Decrease the amount of food that you eat a couple of days prior to the fast starting in order to prepare your mind, stomach, and appetite for less food.
Types of Fast
We’re eagerly anticipating the time we’ll spend together as a church, lifting our voices to our God. Below, you’ll find various types of fasts that you can incorporate during the month of January.
Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the Jewish Fast and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.
Daily Focus
WEEK 1: PRAYER FOR SELF
DAY 1- January 5
Prayer for Submission to God
Romans 12:1–2; Luke 9:23
Offer your life to Christ.
DAY 2- January 6
Prayer for Examination
Psalm 139:23-24
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
DAY 3- January 7
Prayer for Spiritual Insight
Psalm 25:3-5
Pray for understanding and insight into the Word; understanding your identity in Christ; who you are; where you came from; where you are going; understanding God’s purpose for your life
DAY 4- January 8
Prayer for Filling of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:25
Ask the Spirit to control and fill you for this day.
DAY 5- January 9
Prayer on Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Pray on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
DAY 6- January 10
Prayer for the Purpose of My Life
Matthew 22:37, 39; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 4:19; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; John 15:8
Pray for guidance and direction.
DAY 7- January 11
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Psalm 34:6-7 & 40:1-3
Offer your expressions of thanksgiving to God.
WEEK 2: FUTURE/ SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
DAY 8- January 12
Prayer for the Circumstances of the Day
Proverbs 3:5–6; Romans 8:28 & 29
Commit the events of this day into the hands of God.
DAY 9- January 13
Prayer for Protection in Warfare
Romans 6:6–7, 11, 13
Pray for protection and spiritual warfare.
DAY 10- January 14
Prayer for the Coming of Christ and Your Future with Him – Your kingdom come, Your will be done. (Matthew 6:10)
Revelation 22:20; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Philippians 3:20
DAY 11- January 15
Prayer for Renewal
Deuteronomy 10:12; Philippians 3:12- 14
Pray for personal renewal.
DAY 12- January 16
Pray Against Spiritual Warfare
Philippians 4:6-9 & Ephesians 6:13-18
Pray against the world; pray against the flesh; pray against the Devil.
DAY 13- January 17
Prayer for Growth in Christ
Psalm 61:2-4
Pray for a greater desire to know and please Him; greater love and commitment to Him; grace to practice His presence; grace to glorify Him in your life.
DAY 14- January 18
Prayer for Growth in Wisdom
James 1:13-15
Pray for developing an eternal perspective; to renew your mind with truth; greater skill in each area of life.
WEEK 3: FAMILY/ CHURCH FAMILY
DAY 15- January 19
Prayer for Family
Read 1 Samuel 12:23
Pray for your immediate family; your relatives; spiritual concerns; emotional and physical concerns.
DAY 16- January 20
Prayer for Churches & Ministries
Ephesians 4:4-6
Pray for The Connection; other churches; evangelism and discipleship ministries; educational ministries.
DAY 17- January 21
Prayer for Believers
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Pray for personal friends; those in ministry; those who are oppressed and in need.
DAY 18- January 22
Prayer for Relationship with Others
1 Corinthians 16:14
Pray for greater love and compassion for others; loved ones; those who do not know Christ; those in need.
DAY 19- January 23
Faithfulness as a Steward
May I be a person who fears God, loves truth, and hates dishonest gain. (Exodus 18:21)
Pray for your time, talents, treasure, truth, relationships.
DAY 20- January 24
Prayer for Family & Ministry
Colossians 3:22-24
Pray for family, ministry, sharing Christ with others, helping others grow in Him, career.
DAY 21- January 25
Prayer of Praise
Psalm 34:1-3
Offer your expressions of praise to God.
WEEK 4: THE WORLD
DAY 22- January 26
Prayer for World Affairs
Psalms 85:4-7
Pray for the poor and hungry; the oppressed and persecuted; those in authority; peace among nations; current events and concerns.
DAY 23- January 27
Prayer for Evangelism
Ephesians 6:19
Pray for friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers, special opportunities.
DAY 24- January 28
Prayer for Government
Proverbs 14:34
Pray for a spiritual revival in our local, state and national government. Pray for current and future Presidents and their cabinet members and their relationship with Christ.
DAY 25- January 29
Prayer for Missions
Acts 17:30-31
Pray for local missions, national missions, global mission, the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
DAY 26- January 30
Prayer of Adoration
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
Express your thoughts of praise and worship.
DAY 27- January 31
Prayers of Affirmation
John 4:23-24; 1 John 3:24
Reflect on these biblical affirmations.
DAY 28- February 1
Closing Prayer
Psalm 73:25-28
Offer praise to God for the spiritual revival in your life and the life of The Connection.