2018 PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE

Transcription

1 GROW. REACH. ADORE. CONNECT. ENGAGE PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE CONSECRATION WEEK: JANUARY 3 7, 2018

2 A Practical guide to fasting Why Fast Fasting is a spiritual tool God uses to advance his kingdom, change the destiny of nations, spark revival, and bring victory in people s lives. Every Nation Churches & Ministries begins each new year with five days of prayer and fasting to humble ourselves before God, consecrate ourselves to him for the upcoming year, and corporately agree for breakthroughs. Jesus fasted. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. MATTHEW 4:1 2 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. LUKE 4:14 Jesus knew he was going to need spiritual strength to fulfill his purposes. Fasting makes us spiritually strong and prepares us to do God s work. A Practical Guide To Fasting 1

3 Fasting is an act of humility and consecration. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. EZRA 8:21 Humility results in the grace of God. When we humble ourselves in prayer, we have access to the heart of God. Fasting helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. ACTS 13:2 When we deny ourselves of natural cravings and worldly distractions, we become more sensitive to God s voice. Then we are better able to focus on God and submit to his will. Fasting brings revival. If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 Throughout history, God has brought revival and delivered nations from destruction in response to prayer and fasting. Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Fasting is healthy. Fasting cleanses your digestive system from toxins. Doctors consider fasting a cure for certain allergies and diseases. By learning to exercise discipline, fasting breaks unhealthy addictions in our lives. 2 In Christ: A Study of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians

4 Planning Your Fast Then Joshua said to the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. JOSHUA 3:5 Pray Spend time reading the Bible before the fast. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in your prayers. On pages 7 9, write down your faith goals and specific prayer requests for your family, friends, church, and nation. Commit Pray about the kind of fast you will undertake and commit to it ahead of time. Record your plan on page 5. Ask God for grace to help you follow through with your decisions. Act Start eating smaller portions a few days before the fast. Avoid food high in sugar and fat. Plan to limit physical and social activities for the week of the fast. Ask someone to be your prayer partner throughout the fast and have that person sign page 7. NOTE: Consult a physician, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. If your situation does not allow you to do a full fast, determine what will work best for you. While Fasting [Jesus] answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. MATTHEW 4:4 Focus Set aside time to work through the devotionals. Be ready to respond to God s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray Join at least one prayer meeting in your local church. Intercede for your family, church, pastors, nation, campuses, and missions throughout the week. Replenish During mealtime, read the Bible and pray instead. Drink plenty of water and rest as much as you can. Be ready for temporary bouts of physical weakness and mental annoyances like impatience and irritability. Contents 3

5 Breaking the Fast And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 JOHN 5:14 15 Eat Reintroduce solid food gradually. Your body will need time to adjust to a normal diet. Start with fruits, juices, and salad, then add more vegetables. Eat small portions throughout the day. Pray Don t give up! Trust God s faithfulness and timing. Carry your newfound passion for God throughout the year. Be in faith for God to answer your prayers. 4 In Christ: A Study of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians

6 My plan Day 1 Fasting Options: Water only Liquid only One meal only Other Prayer Meeting(s) to Attend: Day 2 Fasting Options: Water only Liquid only One meal only Other Prayer Meeting(s) to Attend: Day 3 Fasting Options: Water only Liquid only One meal only Other Prayer Meeting(s) to Attend: Day 4 Fasting Options: Water only Liquid only One meal only Other Prayer Meeting(s) to Attend: Day 5 Fasting Options: Water only Liquid only One meal only Other Prayer Meeting(s) to Attend: A Practical Guide to Fasting 5

7 I am thankful to God for... Answered Prayers List highlights, answered prayers, and lessons learned in In Christ: A Study of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians

8 In 2018, I am believing God for... Personal Faith Goals Spiritual Revival Physical Healing Prosperity and Abundance Rich Generosity My Family Restoration of Relationships Household Salvation My Education/Career Excellence Promotion My Ministry Small Group Growth Salvation of Colleagues, Classmates, and Coworkers Prayer Partner If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. MATTHEW 18:19 A Practical Guide to Fasting 7

9 I am committing to pray for... Name Request(s) 8 In Christ: A Study of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians

10 I am committing to pray for... My Church Church Leadership Provision Discipleship Ministry My Community Campuses and Educational Institutions Local Government Outreach Opportunities My Nation Government Officials Spiritual Revival Economic Prosperity Peace and Order A Practical Guide to Fasting 9

11 FASTING CHOICES 1. Normal Fast Drink liquids only (Water/Coffee/Tea/Smoothies/Broth). 2. Partial Fast (The Daniel Fast) Eat no meats, no sweets and no breads/rice/potatoes (starches). Drink water and juice. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR FASTING Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14 Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2 Corporate Fasting 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37 Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12, 1 Corinthians 8:8). May God greatly bless you as you fast during this Lenten season! PRAYER OF DEDICATION Heavenly Father, today I consecrate myself to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I receive fresh oil from Your presence to empower me to be effective during these days of corporate fasting and prayer. I declare that I shall not be distracted by any device of the enemy but I shall come to a place of deliverance, breakthroughs and victory in every dimension of my life. I receive supernatural strength from the Holy Spirit to rise above the cravings of my carnal nature. I declare that in the midst of this fast I would receive power and divine directions from the presence of God that would positively affect my destiny. I shall not be denied of any blessing or miracle that You have ordained for me in 2018, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

12 PRAYER FOR INTERCESSION 1. Pray that the church would be built after God s pattern. Exodus 25:8-9, Mathew 16: 17-19, Ephesians 2: Pray that the church would grow in all dimensions of God s G.R.A.C.E. Deeper through Discipleship (GROW) Larger through Evangelism (REACH) Stronger through Worship (ADORE) Warmer through Fellowship (CONNECT) Broader through Ministry (ENGAGE) Ephesians 4: 7-16, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 4: Destroy every satanic attack and calculation designed to hinder the growth, progress, advancement and establishment of the church. Acts 12:1-10, 2 Corinthians 2:11 4. Destroy and arrest the operations of the spirits of strife, contentions, envy, jealousy, backbiting, criticism, undermining, sabotage and every form of carnality that hinders the work of God. Galatians 5:13-26, James 3: Release a spirit of unity and teamwork, in the lives of the people of God. Nehemiah 4:15-21, Ephesians 4:16 6. Pray that all members of church would discover their divine call and ministries and would be supernaturally set in the church according to the counsel of God and they would be fruitful in their ministries. Romans 12:3-8, 1Corinthians 12: Pray and release every human, financial and material resource that heaven has ordained for the advancement of the Church. Psalm 118: Pray that God would supernaturally empower His church financially so that the church can meet all its financial obligations without struggle. 9. Pray that every department of the church would be functional, efficient and effective and that all the needs of the people of God would be met. 10. Pray for revival and the activation of every spiritual gift in the lives of the people of God. Pray that this revival would cause a massive in gathering of souls into the kingdom of God. 2 Timothy 1:6 11. Pray that God would bless His church tremendously in all dimensions and that other churches would be established as a result of it.

13 12