PRAYER. During this fast, I am praying and believing God for:

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Prayer.. 3 Fasting Start Where You Are...4 Find Your Fast Zone 5 Choose Your Type of Fast... 6 Different Types of Fasts... 7 Specific Food or Activity Fast... 7 Daniel Fast 7 Juice Fast... 8 Water Fast... 8 Total Fast.. 9 Fasting While Nursing or Pregnant..10 Fasting and Eating Disorders Begin and Break the Fast Well 11 Creating Your Personal Fasting Menu 11 Final Fasting Tips Sample Fasting Menus.. 13 Personal Devotion 14 Read Consistently Read Prayerfully Read Expectantly.. 15 The S.O.A.P. Method The Next 21 Days Day Devotional Guide Acknowledgements.39 1

2 PRAYER As you prepare for the next twenty-one days, it can be tempting to start thinking of a laundry list of prayers you d love to see answered. But we really want to encourage you to keep this simple. Think about the top two or three things most pressing on your heart and zone in on those with God. Write these down in the space provided below, and be open to hearing what God wants to show you in those areas. The breakthroughs, miracles, and answers to your prayers will be by-products of drawing closer to Jesus. When praying, make your primary goal to know Jesus more and experience Him. Pray prayers of total surrender, and aim to glorify God with your life. Focus first on what s right about Him, such as his goodness and His greatness, and see everything else through that filter. And most simply, make time to pray daily. Don t overcomplicate this! Just talk to God. Have that place and time where you can seek Him every day. If you don t plan to pray, you won t. If you find it a challenge to disconnect from the busyness of your day, engaging in worship music is a great way to prepare your heart for prayer. During this fast, I am praying and believing God for: 2

3 Fasting Important Note: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician prior to beginning your fast, especially if you are taking any medication, have a chronic condition, or are pregnant or nursing a baby. As you prepare to fast, it is important to choose a fasting plan that works for you. While this section provides some general information about different types of fasts, as well as some suggestions on how to create your own fasting plan, it is important to mention that there is nothing more inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. These are simply guidelines and suggestions on different things you can do. Do not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Keep the main thing the main thing, which is drawing closer to God. Remember, this is a time to disconnect enough from your regular patterns and habits in order to connect more closely to God. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before getting started: 1. Start Where You Are We are all at different places in our walk with God. Likewise our jobs, daily schedules, and health conditions are all different and place various levels of demands on our energy. So most importantly, whether you ve fasted before or this is your first time, start where you are. Your personal fast should present a level of challenge to it, but it s very important to know your own body, know your options and, most importantly, seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Remember, the goal of fasting is not just to do without food. The goal is to draw nearer to God. 3

4 2. Find Your Fast Zone When most people start fasting, there is typically some level of discomfort. However, it is possible to get used to the fasting routine pretty quickly. Quite simply, you must learn to fast in a way that works for you. While any true fast does involve abstinence from food or at least certain types of food, typically, different fasting combinations work better for different people. The goal to having a successful fast is all about finding what we like to call your Fast Zone, and that is different for everybody and can change depending on the season you are in. The best way to describe your Fast Zone is that it s the place where you feel light and spiritually in tune. Your mind is easily focused on God and spiritual things. You have an increased spiritual energy you can feel the fast working. Just like runners know what their target heart rate is to see the benefits of their physical training, the Fast Zone is similar in a spiritual sense. Finding your Fast Zone helps you choose both the type and length of fast. Let s say you choose to go on a Daniel fast (only fruits and vegetables). Should you eat beans? If you can eat beans and stay in your Fast Zone, go ahead. But for some people eating beans takes them out of the zone. Should you eat peanut butter? Probably not. Peanut butter is more of an indulgence, and not many people can stay in a Fast Zone while enjoying indulgences. Should you completely cut out caffeine? It depends. The great thing is, when you fast, your body automatically craves less caffeine. If you can stay in your Fast Zone with a little caffeine, great. If you are going on a longer fast and want to cut it out of your diet completely, that s great too. But ease yourself off and make it your goal to be completely caffeine free about two-thirds of the way into your fast. 4

5 If you drink coffee regularly, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to fast for one to three days and cut caffeine out abruptly and completely. Please don t do that or you will spend this time grumpy and in withdrawal instead of enjoying God s presence. Mixing things up a bit during a twenty-one-day fast is what typically works best for people. For example, do a fruits and vegetables fast for a week. Then do all liquids for a while. Maybe even mix in a few days of only water if you think you are ready for that. Then go back to fruits and vegetables for a few days. There isn t one approach that works the same for everyone. Follow the Holy Spirit, mix it up, find what works for you, and stay in your Fast Zone! Some people can t stay in a Fast Zone eating any type of solid food, so they prefer all liquids. With today s protein drinks and juicing machines, it is so easy to get a healthy dose of all your nutritional needs even while taking in only liquids. Certain people can t do anything other than drink only water. If they eat a salad or drink a glass of juice, they get out of their zone. Or if they allow themselves to eat cantaloupe, they will end up eating twenty cantaloupes a day! 3. Choose Your Type of Fast While preparing for your fast, it is important to choose ahead of time what type of fast, or what combination, you will pursue. Not only will this help with making the necessary preparations to implement your plan, but as you commit to a specific fast ahead of time and know how you re going to do it, you will position yourself to finish strong. On the following pages we ve listed some options and variations of fasts you can choose from. As you read over the information, please consider how it may or may not apply to your personal circumstances and convictions. 5

6 You may choose to fast all twenty-one days. Or you may choose to fast several days out of the twenty-one days, such as three or four days a week throughout the twenty-one day period. Maybe you will do that and do three to seven consecutive days at the end. This is your personal decision and should be prayerfully considered as it applies to your circumstances. Different Types of Fasts Specific Food or Activity Fast In this type of fast you omit a specific item(s) from your meal plans. For example, you may choose to eliminate all red meat, processed or fast food, or sweets. Most people can incorporate this type of fast relatively easily. It can also prove to be a great solution for people with specific dietary needs or medical conditions that may cause certain limitations. While fasting typically refers to refraining from specific food items, you may also find it extremely beneficial to fast from a regular activity or habit. This might include things such as television, social media, and the like. Prayer and fasting are not just about connecting to God but also about disconnecting from the world. Try to tune out some of the regular distractions from your day as much as possible. Replace that time with things that will nourish you spiritually. Daniel Fast The Daniel fast is a great model to follow and one that is extremely effective for spiritual focus, bodily discipline, and purification of the body and soul. It is probably one of the most commonly referred-to fasts; however, within the Daniel fast there is room for broad interpretation. 6

7 In the book of Daniel we find two different times where the prophet Daniel fasted. Daniel 1 states that he only ate vegetables and water, and in Daniel 10, while the passage does not give a specific list of foods that Daniel ate, it does state that he ate no rich (or choice) foods, as well as no meat or wine. So based on these two verses, we can see that either of these, or combinations of the two, constitute a Daniel fast. Again, it is important to mention that there is nothing inherently spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. The foundation of the Daniel fast is fruits and vegetables. Some starchy vegetables and dairy could be included, but that depends on the individual. Your goal should be to seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Just remember: find your personal Fast Zone. Juice Fast A juice fast is simply consuming vegetable and fruit juices and water instead of solid food. Many people include whey protein in their liquid plan as well. This is one of the most popular and effective fasts. Even if you choose not to make your entire fast liquids only, substituting one or two meals for liquids is a great alternative. Water Fast A water-only fast is the normal fast referred to in the Bible. This is how Jesus and the New Testament church fasted. A water fast is just that no eating of any food or drinking of any liquids except water. Periodic water fasts can be very beneficial, but extreme precautions should be taken. For some people it is hard to perform effectively at their jobs and have energy for their families while drinking only water. (more on water fasting continued on the next page) 7

8 Water fast, continued We recommend consulting your physician first, and water fasting only for a day or two unless you can get away or your job allows you to really disconnect so you can give your best energy to the fast. Remember, when Jesus went on His fortyday fast, He went by Himself out into the wilderness. Having said all that, there are some people who can water fast and work, and they function fine without much fatigue and are able to work well. You are blessed if you are one of these people. Total Fast A total fast is where nothing neither liquid, solid food, nor even water is consumed for a very short period of time. There are examples of this type of fast in the Bible. It was an Old Covenant type of fast associated with mourning, or deep grief, such as when David engaged in a total fast for a week, hoping that God would spare the child he had with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). Under the New Covenant, we do not fast to mourn or to seek forgiveness. God has already forgiven us, and we are commanded to celebrate Jesus because He is alive. Plus, complete abstinence of food and water can be very dangerous to our health. Attempting to go without water for any period of time can be extremely harmful to the body. We strongly discourage the total fast. 8

9 Fasting While Nursing or Pregnant Strict fasting while pregnant or nursing also is not recommended. If you are in this incredible season of life but would like to participate in the twenty-one-day plan, here are some great options for you to consider with the approval of your physician: A modified Daniel fast including whole grains, legumes, whey protein, calcium, and iron supplements Fasting sweets and desserts Fasting red meat Fasting certain diversions (television shows, movies, social media such as Facebook/Twitter, video games, and so on) If you are a pregnant or nursing mother, your priority is the health and the development of the baby God has entrusted you with. Make that your guideline and go from there. And please consult your doctor. Fasting and Eating Disorders If you have struggled with an eating disorder, this situation is a battle of the mind you can win through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Remember, fasting is a tool used to get closer to God, and it actually should keep us from being preoccupied with food. If your method of fasting is going to cause you to obsess about what you eat in any way, you will need to change either your approach or your mindset. If giving up food is a stumbling block to you, then consider fasting of television, reading (other than the Bible, of course), social media, or shopping. There are many distractions and ways that we use to stay in control that we could eliminate from our daily routine. We do these things to distract ourselves from the real issues hurting us. If you can identify such other things, maybe you can give those up instead of food. Remember that you are covered by God s grace. God will show you what to do. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt 11:30). His way will bring rest to your soul. 9

10 4. Begin and Break the Fast Well Depending on the type of fast you choose, it is very important to prepare your body ahead of time before beginning the fast. Take a week or so to transition into your fast; otherwise, you could get sick. For example, if you would like to go on a fruits and vegetables or juice fast, start eliminating meat, white grains, and refined sugars from your diet the week before. Also start to cut back quite a bit on dairy products and some of your caffeine intake. The same principle applies to breaking your fast. When your fast is over, add foods back in very gradually. Please don t break your fast with a greasy cheeseburger! Because your body is so cleansed and detoxified, you will most likely get sick if you do that. There are also several supplements you can take that will help support the detox process during your fast. Your health-food store can give you recommendations. Creating Your Personal Fasting Menu On the following pages, we will share a few simple menu options for your use. Your plan could include one of these menu ideas or even a variation of all of them. You could even mix it up, doing something different food-wise on the weekends or on certain days of the week. Again, pray about this and find what works for you. To keep your energy up throughout the day, it s important to eat or drink every two and a half to three hours. If you go longer than that, you can experience an energy lull and be tempted to overstuff yourself at your next meal. Even if you re fasting on fruits and vegetables, overstuffing is never a smart thing to do. It is very important to drink lots of water while fasting. Drinking about one hundred ounces of water per day will help to support your critical liver function. The liver is the filter for the body, so when you don t drink enough water, the liver doesn t function at its highest capacity. 10

11 Select your food items wisely. We will not be listing specific ingredients you should or should not include in your plan. The key is to prepare a plan ahead of the fast, to not get legalistic about it, and to choose menu items well. For example, if you prefer dressing on your salads, choose a healthy, organic option with natural ingredients and don t pour a gallon of it on your plate. If you re drinking fruit juices, try to go as natural as possible, and don t drink ones heavily processed and laden with sugar. Remember to not let food become the focus of your fast, but make wise eating choices. FINAL FASTING TIPS Here are some other ideas that can help make your fasting experience more pleasant and helpful: As you select your type of fast, make a fasting calendar that fits your plan. Determine what each day and week will look like. Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with the items you need. Being unprepared to fast sets you up to give into temptation. Choose well when selecting products, stick to raw food as much as you can, and limit artificial ingredients. Make it a priority to attend church during your twenty-one-day fast. Being around other believers will encourage you to keep on going when fasting gets difficult. If you are fasting with others, you may want to do a weekly small group. If you mess up, don t get discouraged. Just get right back on track and keep going. God s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22 23). He wants you to finish, and He will give you the grace and strength to do it. God be with you as you begin your dawning adventure! 11

12 Sample Menu 1: Fruits, Vegetables, Juices, and Water Breakfast Fruit smoothie with whey protein Mid-morning Snack Fresh fruit or fresh vegetables Lunch Raw vegetable salad with light, organic dressing and vegetable broth soup Mid-afternoon Snack Fresh fruit or fresh vegetables Dinner Fresh salad with light, organic dressing and steamed or grilled vegetables Sample Menu 2: Liquids Only Breakfast Fruit smoothie with whey protein Mid-morning Snack Herbal tea or vegetable broth soup Lunch Raw, juiced vegetables Mid-afternoon Snack Fresh fruit juice or fruit smoothie with whey protein Dinner Vegetable juice or vegetable broth soup Sample Menu 3: Modified Daniel Fast Breakfast 1 2 servings whole grains with fresh fruit juice Mid-morning Snack Fresh fruit or fresh chopped vegetables Lunch 1 2 servings whole grains; fresh salad with legumes and light, organic dressing Mid-afternoon Snack Fresh fruit juice or fruit smoothie with whey protein Dinner 1 2 whole grains; fresh salad with legumes and light, organic dressing ** In all menu scenarios, drink plenty of water. A minimum of 100 ounces should be consumed each day to assist with the detoxifying process. 12

13 Personal Devotions Just like prayer and fasting, reading your Bible is about connecting to God in a more powerful way. It is not about duty but about relationship. When we engage God through reading His Word, we engage the very presence of God. His Word is living and active! As we read our Bible, we are drawing closer to God and positioning ourselves to hear from Him in particular ways. Once again, as with prayer, choose the time and the place where you are going to read your Bible and devotional every single day, and come prepared to hear what He wants to tell you. Here are three quick things we d like to share with you about how to get the most out of your devotional time with God. 1. Read Consistently It is better to read a little every day than to try and knock out two hours of Bible reading or devotions in one sitting. It is so important to digest the Word in absorbable chunks. Included with this guide there is a Bible Reading Plan that helps with that, as it leads you through about a chapter a day. Don t bite off more than you can chew, and certainly don t compare your performance with that of others. If you miss a few days, pick up at the next reading, but stay with it and don t give up. The key is to keep this simple and make it sustainable. 2. Read Prayerfully Talk to God as you re reading. Don t rush through. If you come across something you don t understand, pause for a moment and ask God about it. Reading prayerfully is making space and time to talk to God and giving Him time and space to talk to you. Taking time to meditate on God s Word is just as important as reading it. 13

14 3. Read Expectantly You are about to partake of the bread of life, so foster an attitude of expectancy. Believe that God is going to speak to you through His Word. With meditation on the ideas and thoughts recorded in your journal, be prepared to do something with what He shows you. A great, simple way to journal your devotional is to use the SOAP method. SOAP stands for: Scripture Observation Application Prayer The SOAP method works like this: S for Scripture. Read prayerfully. Take notice of which scripture(s) catches your attention and mark it in your Bible. When you re done, reread the verse(s) you marked and look for one that particularly speaks to you. Write it in your journal. O for Observation. Focusing on that scripture, tune in and listen to what God is saying to you through His Word. What is it about this scripture that specifically stands out? What does God want to reveal to you or teach you? Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide and show you what God is saying. A for Application. Think of how this verse(s) applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or correction for a particular area of your life. Use your journal to write how this scripture applies to you today. P for Prayer. Wrap up your SOAP time in prayer. Talk to God about what you ve just read. This can be as simple as thanking Him for revealing a truth from the scripture, or it may be asking Him for greater insight or wisdom as to how it applies to your life. Remember, prayer is all about relationship. It s a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say. 14

15 That s it! SOAP. It s as simple or deep as you want it to be. If you want to go deeper in your study, here are additional tips: Reread the daily passage in a different Bible translation or paraphrase. Utilize online resources, such as those available from Utilize a commentary, such as those by Matthew Henry or online at Cross-reference your daily reading, using the footnotes in your study Bible. Research words in their original language using a Strong s Concordance. Our prayer for you over the next twenty-one days is that your passion for God and His Word will be ignited, and that you will develop a hunger for His presence that is greater than ever before! Do not lack in diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord Romans 12:11 HSBC 15

16 The Next Twenty-One Days We want to encourage you to be just as intentional about the next twenty-one days and the twenty-one days after that and so on. Remember, keeping the fire and zeal for God burning in your heart is what will keep your relationship with Him fresh and new. It will allow you to continue serving and obeying Him from a position of want to, and you will experience the joy of your salvation everyday regardless of what life brings your way. The principles you have practiced in these twenty-one days are very easy to sustain long-term. Prayer, fasting, and personal devotion are all quite simple to incorporate into your everyday life. Over these last twenty-one days, you ve created space for God to fill. The best way to continue in these same practices is to keep that space open indefinitely. Don t allow it to close up! Protect that time and space with God and make it your priority each day. Just like reading your Bible, praying, and attending church, fasting is also a lifestyle. We encourage you to establish a frequency and consistency of fasting in your life. Remember, this is not a legalistic thing. This is an I get to experience God thing. It is like going into heaven for a tune up, so we can keep our passion for God and enjoyment of Him at a high level. We encourage you to do the same. Figure out what works for you, commit to it, and make it a part of your life. We are excited about the experiences and growth we are about to experience both as a church and individually. We know God is preparing us for a great work and the future of His church at Lynwood. We hope you ll be a part of it! Don t ever settle for anything less than a life full of passion and spiritual zeal for God. Keep the fire for God burning in your heart and do whatever it takes to feed your spiritual hunger for God. 16

17 Return to Me Joel 2:12 Even now this is the Lord s declaration turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. If one were to look at the kind of fasting that took place in the Old Testament, it would be easy to assume that the reason for fasting is to gain forgiveness. In the book of Joel, the Israelites had wandered far from God, and their sinfulness had resulted in famine and pestilence in the land. Through the prophet Joel, God called them to repentance, ordering them to declare a sacrificial fast that along with mourning and weeping would show God the sincerity of their repentance. In return, the prophet said, perhaps God would, turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing. Such a fast of repentance is seen under the Old Covenant time and again, because under the Old Covenant man had to rely on his works and sacrifices to avert the wrath of God. But under the New Covenant, we don t have to fast for forgiveness. Every wrong we have done and will do was forgiven at the cross, and when we accept Christ, we walk under a New Covenant of grace and forgiveness! We don t have to fast, weep and mourn to convince God of our sincere repentance or to avert His wrath. I Thessalonians 5:9 tells us that, God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, why do we, as people under a New Covenant, need to set aside special times devoted to fasting and prayer? As we walk with God, there are times that we feel far from Him or disconnected. Joel s words resonate with us who live in a context of grace return to me with all your heart. There are times we realize that, though we have chosen to follow Jesus, the flame of our love for him has grown cold. It is during these times we can return to God with our whole heart, put aside the distractions of the world and focus solely on loving Him. Your time spent in prayer each day of the fast can result in a new richness, a rewarding connection with the Father. No matter where you are on your journey with Jesus, you can always take a step closer towards Him. As we begin this time of prayer and fasting, let s turn our hearts toward God. Make a commitment to seek God daily. Pray that your love for Christ will be increased and your passion for Him will be reignited over the next 21 days. 17

18 Tune In John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow Me. Have you ever been searching for a radio station only to be frustrated by finding static rather than music? You then focus to fine tune the dial again, and suddenly you hear a clear signal. The fact is, the signal always existed on the airwaves; the only difference is that now you have adjusted your tuner to the right frequency. In our hectic lives, there are so many signals bombarding our senses that it can become difficult to distinguish God s voice from the deafening static noise of life. Fasting enables us to tune out the world s distractions and tune in to God. As we fast, we deny our flesh. When we deny our flesh, we become more in tune to the Holy Spirit and can hear God s voice more clearly. If you truly listen for God s voice, you will hear it. When you hear it, it will build faith within you. If you desire to tune out the static of life and really tune into the voice of God, come to Him first and foremost with ears that are willing to listen and a heart that is ready to obey what he says. (Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 66:2) The more we practice being in His presence, the clearer and more recognizable His voice becomes. In this time of fasting, what is your mind tuned to? What distractions do you need to remove so that you can focus on God? Prepare your heart to hear the voice of God, and ask God to help you remove distractions that keep you from focusing on Him and hearing Him clearly. 18

19 Fasting Removes Unbelief Matthew 17: Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, Why couldn t we drive it out? 20 Because of your little faith, He told them. For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting. When we pray and fast, we don t do so to change God or His will. By praying and fasting, we are the ones changed. Coming into alignment with God helps us curb our doubts and fears. When we pray and fast, the thing that leaves -- the thing that goes out -- is our unbelief. It is when we have faith to believe, that we can pray with confidence and know that nothing will be impossible as we live to bring glory to God. Ask God to strengthen our hearts to fully believe Him and believe His word. It is okay to recognize and acknowledge if you struggle with unbelief. It s the first step in allowing God to strengthen your faith and bring you into alignment with His plan for your life. What is it that you need faith to believe for? Align yourself with God s Word and will during this fast. Release your unbelief. Pray with confidence, knowing nothing will be impossible for you 19

20 Agreement With the Will of God Amos 3:3 Can two walk together with agreeing to meet? In the heart of every believer is the desire to walk closely with God. We know that He too desires a close relationship with each one of us. A key to having a strong level of spiritual intimacy with God is living in agreement with His will for our lives. In Genesis 5:22, we read of Enoch and see that his life modeled a long journey, walking consistently with God, for it says, Enoch walked with God 300 years Enoch lived a powerful life. He was a man that walked in agreement with God s will and lived a life pleasing to God. (Hebrews 11:5b) It is one thing to know God s will for our lives; it s another to live in agreement with His will. In order to enjoy the best life that God has for us, we must first understand that God does not change, but we sometimes must. Let s earnestly seek to know and agree with God s will for our lives. The level of our agreement with God will determine the degree of closeness in our walk with Him. Pray today that we can walk in agreement with God a nd enjoy the life that He desires us to have in Christ. 20

21 When Grace Comes Down John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could see God for who He really is? What would He say about the state of humanity? About religion? About our own propensity toward sin? There is no need to wonder about what God is like because to know Him, we have only to look at Jesus. In Jesus we have received grace, but there is even something more that we have received. We have received truth. The kind of truth John is talking about in this passage is not a list of laws and rules such as were given to Moses. Make no mistake; the revelation of God through the word of the law was glorious. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai after receiving the commandments, his face shone so brightly with the glory of God that he had to wear a veil. But the word of the law cannot compare with the word of life that has been revealed through Jesus Christ! In John 1:18, we are told that no one not even Moses had ever seen God. But Jesus has not only seen God; He is God. The truth that John is speaking about is a clear and unveiled vision of the true nature of God. When we try to look at God through the lens of legalism and religion, it is like looking at Him through a veil. Only when we see Him though Jesus Christ can we truly get a glimpse into His heart. It is from a state of grace, not legalism, that we will find real and lasting transformation. (2 Corinthians 3:7-18) Have you been looking at God through the veil of legalism and religion? In Jesus, we see the full revelation of the nature of God His love and holiness, mercy and justice, compassion and power all perfectly and beautifully expressed. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you see God through the eyes of grace and truth given to us in Jesus Christ. 21

22 Reliance on God Romans 7: For I know that nothing good lives in me, this is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. There s an internal war that often wages within each and every one of us. Paul describes this so well here in Romans 7 we desire to do the right thing, but in our own efforts, we don t have the power to and we mess up. The good news is that we don t have to rely on our own strength to make right decisions. We don t have to be dominated by our sinful nature and end up doing the things we don t want to do. But the only way we can live this kind of life is by yielding to the Holy Spirit and relying on the strength of Jesus Christ, not our own. When we re facing struggles, we must rely on God s power alive within us through the Holy Spirit. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit resides in us and places in us the desire to do what is pleasing to God. (Hebrews 10:16) The Holy Spirit always wants to do what is right. He always wants to uphold the perfect will of God, pleasing the Father in every way. It is our job to lay down our stubborn fleshly will and yield to the will of God. In that moment, the Holy Spirit will be there to help us in our time of need. Instead of trusting in our own strength, let s learn to yield to and become totally reliant upon the Holy Spirit. Are there areas in your life causing an internal struggle? Make a decision today that you will yield to the Holy Spirit and lean on His strength, not your own, to overcome obstacles of sin and selfishness in your life. Surrender and release those areas to God, knowing He will help you. 22

23 Fervent Prayer James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Fervency speaks of our level of intensity, passion and persistence. Many times, we can lose our passion in prayer or stop praying for certain things altogether because we lose heart or give up. But God invites us to keep them before Him and trust Him for an answer in His time. (Matthew 7:7-11) The Old Testament prophet, Elijah, practiced a lifestyle of fervent, intense prayer and he witnessed incredible miracles in his lifetime as a result. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, we read of a woman whose only son became ill and died. When Elijah heard the news he quickly took action and did what he knew best he fervently cried out to God. Elijah fully believed that God could bring the boy back to life, and he didn t pray just once. It is recorded that he prayed three times for the boy s soul to return to him. He prayed fervently, repeatedly and he wasn t going to give up. Verse 22 reads, then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. Elijah s prayer was answered through his persistence and fervency. God hears your prayers as well and will bring an answer in His perfect timing. But don t be discouraged or disheartened if the answer is not exactly what you expected. Commit to praying to God with passion and persistence, trusting the answer will come in God s perfect way and in His perfect timing. As we close out this first week, continue to pray fervently for the main areas of concern in your life. Trust God to bring an answer as you journal your thoughts and inspirations through this time. 23

24 Hear Him Matthew 17:5b, 8 5b... This is my beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him! 8 When they looked up they saw no one except Him Jesus alone. On the Mount of Transfiguration three disciples had an experience that showed us the Father s plan for a New Covenant. Jesus took Peter, James and John up to the top of a mountain where He was transfigured into His glorified state. Up until this point, they related to God through the law (Moses), or through the prophets (Elijah). After the vision, Peter eagerly offered to erect three tabernacles one for each. Then a loud voice from Heaven was heard saying, This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to Him. When the disciples looked up, they saw only Jesus. On the mountain, God made it clear that we would only discover His pleasure by following Jesus. God s grace is freely given to those who have received new life in Him. Sometimes though, there are areas of our lives where we do not fully embrace God s grace. There may be circumstances or areas where we still try to earn our way to the Father. You cannot earn God s pleasure, but you can walk in it as you follow Jesus Christ. As you seek God today, seek Him for a greater revelation of Jesus in your heart; for only then are you reminded that you are a beloved child of God. He finds pleasure in you. How does understanding the New Covenant of grace change the focus of your fast? As you pray and seek after God, let His be the loudest voice you hear. 24

25 Clean House Romans 8:5-6 5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Have you ever looked up at your ceiling fan blades or in the deep recesses of your couch cushions and noticed the filth that builds up over time? Even though we might clean on a regular basis, there are times when we need to go a little deeper. We realize that what appeared to be clean on the surface was in all actuality, quite filthy. The same thing can happen spiritually. As we go about our daily lives, there are things that can build up over time. Even if we regularly worship, pray and read our Bible, the different pressures and cares of this world can quietly build up, and end up consuming our lives. Without even realizing it, we can lose our peace, our joy, and our passion for the things of God. Our service to God, which used to fill us with life and excitement, becomes a duty that we must fulfill. Fasting is the deep cleaning that helps us take our mind off of the things of this world and instead have a refreshed focus on the things of the Spirit. It is an incredibly effective way to get into the nooks and crannies of our soul and bring all those dusty old habits, broken mindsets and rusty attitudes out into the light of God s truth. In fasting and prayer, our service to God returns to something we want to do rather than something we have to do. As you pray and fast today, ask God to show you any areas where you could use a refreshed spiritual focus. Like David, in Ps alm 51:10-12, pray that God will cleanse your heart, renew your spirit, and restore the joy of your salvation. Pray with confidence, knowing that He wants to fill you with His life and peace. 25

26 Unwavering in Faith James 1:6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. What do you expect when you pray? When we pray with earnest expectation, we are exercising our faith. The earnest prayer of righteous people produces powerful results, and the most earnest prayers come from us recognizing our need for God. There can be a natural tendency to shrink back when praying for the seemingly impossible, but we must remember that nothing is impossible with God. If we know the promises that God has given us, and understand His character and the principles by which He works, we can pray with confidence and trust Him for the answer. What has caused you to waiver in your expectation with God? James reminds us that faith and wavering are actually contradictory he says nothing wavering. Know that God never wavers in His love for you. You can trust Him completely. What are you trusting God for in this season? How can you line up your expectations with the Word of God when you pray? Find promises in His Word that answer your need and write them down today. 26

27 Prayer and the Process 1 Kings 18:43b-44 43b Seven times Elijah said, Go back. 44 On the seventh time, he reported, There s a cloud as small as a man s hand coming from the sea. Then Elijah said, Go and tell Ahab, Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn t stop you. How do I know God is going to say yes to my prayers? This is a common question many people have as they seek to have a confident prayer life. However it s important to recognize that prayer is not just about the answer, but it s also about glorifying God in the process of waiting for the answer. It is our responsibility to check our motives and believe God hears us; it is through the process of prayer that God prepares us for the answer He brings. We see an example of the process of prayer in the story of Elijah in I Kings 18. Elijah climbed to the top of the mountain to pray for rain to come. As he waited for the rain, he continued to pray, believing God would answer. When he finally saw a small cloud, he told Ahab to get ready because the rain was coming. Elijah knew what to pray for, and God heard him the first time he prayed, but there was preparation that needed to take place in order to receive the answer to his prayer. It is no mistake that God waited until Elijah had prayed seven times before He answered. In the Bible, seven is the number of completion. In this account, seven represents the completion of God s process in that time of prayer. God does not want merely to answer our prayers; He wants to spend time with us to prepare us for the answer that will come. Many times we want to skip over the process involved in engaging God in prayer as we wait for our answer. But it is this very process that works maturity in us and prepares us for the answers our prayers bring. (James 1:4) What prayers in your life are still awaiting an answer? Throughout the remainder of the fast, thank God for His process at work in your life and trust Him. 27

28 Praying Boldly 1 Kings 18:36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the alter and said, Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things. The sacrifice referenced above was a declaration that Elijah was a servant of the Most High God. Elijah belonged to God, and he represented God to the people. However, Elijah s boldness was not a result of who he was; it was the result of knowing God! As children of God under the new covenant of Jesus, we don t have to be timid or fearful when coming to God in prayer. We can approach God boldly. The Amplified Bible puts it like this: Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 AMP It s hard to imagine taking a fearless, confident, bold attitude when coming before God in prayer. Yet this is exactly what we are admonished to do! God has already settled the issue of our access to Him, but we can be assured, our access is not because of our own righteousness. It s because of what Jesus did on the cross. We can come to the throne in such outrageous boldness because Jesus was outrageously righteous! When we pray, we come to God in the authority of Jesus name, and we can be confident that we will find grace, mercy and perfectly timed help. Do you approach God with timidity or confidence? Seek God boldly today knowing you are fully forgiven and Jesus has made you righteous. When you approach God in prayer, seek a fresh revelation of who He is in your life. 28

29 Cultivating Spiritual Hunger Mark 1: Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 he was in the wilderness 40 days being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him. Even Jesus disconnected from the world to fast and pray. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke speak of Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. They also describe other times Jesus pulled away from the demands of the crowds, His ministry and even His closest friends to pray. There are times that we, too, need to pull away from the things of the world and focus on God. The things of the world can certainly include more than just food. In fact, in our world, it is more likely to be television, movies, Facebook, Twitter, cell phones and the internet that keep us tuned in to the world. None of these things are wrong in and of themselves, but they are avenues for a mental and spiritual crowd to gather around us and drown out the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. Fasting is a means of disconnecting from the distractions of daily life and consciously choosing to bring God into greater focus. Giving up physical nourishment is the first step in engaging that process. If you think about it, though, we nourish our souls as well as our bodies. We do so through reading, talking, socializing, playing and leisure. When we fill our souls up with all those things, we don t feel a hunger for God. During this time of fasting, we are sure to feel physical hunger, but let s be intentional about cultivating spiritual hunger as well. Let s draw away from the crowds, and lay aside for a season the activities we use to nourish our souls. Instead let s allow ourselves to enter a state of spiritual hunger a hunger for righteousness. Jesus said that being spiritually hungry is a blessed state, because we can be sure of being filled with food that truly satisfies our deepest needs. (Matthew 5:6) During this time, you will find that being still before the Lord will set you in a place of increased strength, peace and hunger for God. Are you disconnected from the things that nourish your body and soul? What do you need to deny yourself so that this can be a powerful time in your life? 29

30 Alignment with Heaven Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We have all heard the phrase, just like heaven on earth. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, in Matthew 6:9-13, He provided some insight into what heaven on earth might look like. In reality, heaven is a place where God s will reigns supreme. If we want to have a taste of heaven on earth, then our prayer should be like Jesus : Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done The purest motivation for our prayers is that God will be glorified and that His will would reign supreme in our lives, just like it does in heaven. On a more personal level, we can pray that His will be unhindered in our own lives. Rather than imposing His will upon us, God gives us the choice to surrender to it with trust and gladness. As we yield to the Lordship of Christ over every area of our lives, we come into agreement with Him. We experience alignment with heaven and position ourselves to taste a little bit of heaven here on earth. His will then becomes what we desire and the thing we most seek after. We enter into the incredible adventure of participating in God s plan to move His kingdom forward on the earth. This is where we find the most fulfilling and joyous life, but it all starts with one, personal yes, Lord on our part. What does God s will on earth as it is in heaven look like in your life? Do the desires of your heart line up with the will of God? As we seek God together, let s pray as Jesus taught us, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. 30

31 Spoken Word John 11:43 After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus come out! The story of Lazarus death and resurrection reflects the power of Jesus spoken Word. He already knew in His heart the miracle that was about to take place, but His words spoke the miracle into existence. While prayer is our declaration of our dependence on God, our spoken words can be the manifestation of what s happening in our hearts. There is power in our spoken words whether they are used to build up or tear down. It is so important to keep our hearts filled with the truth from God s Word so that our words will produce good fruit. As you seek God in prayer ask Him for the words and discernment that may help someone today. Pray that your words would be encouraging, edifying and aligned with the truth of God s word. Building others up around us with our words allows us to be God s instrument -- a vessel for His good work. As God continues to fill us through this season of prayer and fasting, He wants to take what is now in our hearts and share it with others. How can you use the power of your spoken words to speak God s truth in the lives of others? 31

32 Taking Off the Grave Clothes John 11:44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, Loose him and let him go. When it comes to the transforming power of God working in someone s life, God often uses people to bring about divine life-change. The story of Lazarus in John 11 illustrates it was the power of Jesus prayer and spoken word that resurrected Lazarus from the dead but the disciples played a role in this miracle too. Lazarus was bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face had been wrapped with a cloth during his time in the tomb. When he arose from his death and came out of the tomb, Jesus called on the disciples to help in the transformation process. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." The disciples needed to help Lazarus. Likewise, we all have a part to play in the lives of those around us. God has done some incredible things around us during the fast. Could it be that someone around you is still walking around in grave clothes? What do you need to help them let go of? Who in your world is still walking around in grave clothes? Think about friends and family or those around you who may not know God. What part has God called you to play in the life change He wants to bring? 32