NAME: DATE: WHAT I M FASTING: TYPE OF FAST:

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2 NAME: DATE: WHAT I M FASTING: TYPE OF FAST:

3 EYES WIDE OPEN Over the next 21 days, we are fasting and praying that God would help for us to live with eyes wide open. That we d be open to seeing Him in ways we ve never seen before. That we d notice His little acts of grace in our lives on a daily basis. We re praying that we d see Him move like never before in our lives and the lives of those we encounter on a daily basis. We re fasting and praying for God to give us the spiritual eyes to see the things we need to change in our lives through His help. We re praying that we d live with eyes wide open to our Creator.

4 WHAT IS A FAST? Fasting is one of the ways that God gave us to seek Him. By fasting, we declare our dissatisfaction with just getting by in our spiritual lives, and that we are hungry and thirsty for God. This is not something that only the spiritually strong do. This is also for those who are weak. Fasting is an opportunity to battle against the sin and weakness that resides inside us and to seek more of God s grace. It is not a ritual that ensures God will do something, as if giving up something were payment for God s action. It is simply abstaining from something of value for a time, in order to focus on our need for Jesus. There is no perfect time to fast. The devil, the world, and our sinful nature will seek to complicate fasting. There are many reasons for fasting in Scripture. In these 21 days, our purpose for fasting is for three things: 1. PRAY FOR YOURSELF 2. PRAY FOR OTHERS 3. PRAY OUT OF A BURDEN FOR WHAT S BROKEN

5 FOR YOU John Piper said, The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness for God. Fast and pray that God will reveal Himself to you in an amazing way. Pray that God will renew your heart for whatever He has called you to do. The purpose of this fast is to create hunger and thirst for God in your life. FOR OTHERS Prayer and fasting in the early church resulted in Paul and Barnabas being sent out on one of the first major mission projects in the early church. Out of a concern for each other, came a movement that planted churches throughout the then-known world and generated the letters to those churches that make up most of our modern New Testament. Praying for other isn t just a nice, Christian thing to do. It can be the spark that ignites a movement of God throughout the world. OUT OF A BURDEN FOR WHAT S BROKEN Did you know that Christians are God s only vehicle for reaching the world and helping the hurting? To do this, God places a burden on a believer s heart and moves and empowers them to act. This burden may be for a group of people, a ministry, a service opportunity, a family member, or even a nation. This burden is one that is birthed by God Himself and moves us to step out and do something about it. During this fast, we re praying for God to give us a burden that we can do something with. A burden that moves us from thinking, Someone should do something about this, to, I have to do something about this!

6 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FASTING Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:14-15; Luke 18:9-14 RELATION OF PRAYER & READING THE BIBLE 1 Samuel 1:6-8,17-18; Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3-19; 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

7 WAYS TO FAST? Fasting comes in many forms and types. Some types of fasting are described here for you to use over these 21 days. This is not an exhaustive list, but a reference. In any fast from eating, please consult a physician before beginning if you have any medical conditions where refraining from eating may cause you harm or injury. The purpose of a fast is not to suffer, but to replace something of importance from your daily routine with time seeking closeness with God. It is an act of humility before God - not a payment in suffering. There is some controversy over what actually constitutes a true fast. We want to encourage you to view it this way: A fast is intentionally seeking a closeness with God. If you come through a fast and the only discernible difference in your life from it is that you lost a few pounds - then it was all for nothing. This isn t us trying to manipulate God. This isn t a competition to see who is more dedicated in their faith. This is an awesome spiritual tool God gave us to seek a new closeness in our relationship with him.

8 THE FULL FAST In a full fast, you abstain from all foods, taking in only liquids, for a set number of days. THE DANIEL FAST In the Daniel Fast, no meats, sweets, or breads are eaten. Consume only fruits and vegetables and drink water and juice. (For a complete description, visit: danielfast.wordpress.com) THE PARTIAL FAST A partial fast runs from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm (or sunup to sundown). During a partial fast, you can do a Full Fast, Daniel Fast, or give up one item of food for a set number of days. A NON-FOOD FAST For a set number of days, you can give up an item or activity of importance as either a Full Fast or a Partial Fast. Examples of this could be giving up things like eating out, extra activities, TV, social media (fasting social media doesn t mean switching from Facebook to Twitter for 21 days), or video games to spend time with loved ones, reading devotions, or with God in Bible study.

9 GROWTH GROUP STUDY 21 DAY FAST / WEEK 1 By Scott McAlister INTRODUCTION In case you have no idea what fasting is, it s voluntarily going without food or any other regularly enjoyed good gift from God. It s giving something up for the sake of some spiritual purpose and it is markedly countercultural in our consumerist society. We don t usually think in terms of giving up, but of getting more. Giving up is not what we strive for in our culture because, to us, more is always better. Fasting is not easy. It s not fun, but it will grow your faith and push you spiritually. Fasting is not for the strong. Fasting is for the weak. Fasting is for the common. Fasting is for the frail. Fasting is for the hungry and the thirsty. Fasting is for the hurting. It s for stretching our hearts to get to the fresh air beyond the pain and trouble around us. And it is for the battle against the sin and weakness inside us. Fasting is for people who realize they desperately need God and to know Him more. In fact, that desperate need for God is the purpose of a fast. The reason for fasting is to walk with Him closer and to know Him deeper. We do not go into a fast to manipulate God. We do not go into a fast thinking that we will somehow earn the blessing, the favor, or a miracle from God because we impressed Him by giving up something. We experience the sweet grace and mercy of God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross - that is what affords us anything from God. Fasting does not make God do something that is not His will. Fasting prepares our hearts for whatever God wants.

10 If we are to learn the lost art of fasting, it begins with our Bibles open. Society has all sorts of views on growing closer to God, but it only comes through an active pursuit of Him. Matthew 6:16 (NLT) And when you fast, don t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. So, Jesus assumes His followers will fast. He doesn t say if but when. So you would think, based on the words of Jesus, that as followers of Jesus we would be fasting on a regular basis. But most of us don t. It sounds good, but nobody really expects anybody to actually do it. So you may be wondering, What exactly is fasting again? Is it just giving up food for an extended period of time? Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. Maybe your health concerns won t allow you to give up food so maybe you should consider fasting from television, your computer, social media, or anything else that would bend your heart towards Jesus. Paul even talks about married couples fasting from sex for a limited time in 1 Corinthians 7:5. One writer said, Fasting is an exceptional measure, designed to channel and express our desire for God and our holy discontent in a fallen world. It is for those not satisfied with the spiritual status quo. It is for those who want more of God s grace. It is for those who feel truly desperate for God.

11 Fasting is hard. It sounds much easier in concept than it proves to be in practice. It can be surprising how on-edge we feel when we miss a meal. Many idealistic new fasters have decided to do a partial fast and miss a meal - like just one meal - and found they ve never been hungrier in their lives. Fasting sounds so simple and yet the world, our own flesh, and the devil conspire to introduce all sorts of complications that keep it from happening. For example, those who fast TV may find that all your favorite shows are having their seasons finales during your fast. It will be terrible timing There is no perfect time to fast. FOR YOU John Piper says that, the birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness for God. For the next 21 days, pray and fast for you. Pray and fast that God will reveal Himself to you in an amazing way. Pray that your call will be clarified and your heart will be renewed for whatever it is that God had called you to do. Give up something and use that time to focus on your relationship with Jesus. TALK ABOUT IT 1. Why do you think Jesus felt it was important for His followers to FAST and pray? 2. What are the benefits of fasting and their misconceptions?

12 3. Read Luke 4:1-4. Where did the devil attack Jesus after His fast? How did Jesus defend himself in His fast? 4. Should a fast be easy? Why or why not? 5. When you give up something to spend time with God during a fast, what are some things you can do to intentionally spend that time with Him? 6. Read Joel 2: What is God looking for in you during a time of fasting? 7. If you are honest with yourself, what areas of your life contain a homesickness for God? What are some things you would like God to clarify for you? What areas of your relationship with Jesus need a little work?

13 DAY 1 JAMES 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. What are you most thankful for right now that God has given you? What blessings do you often overlook that you can be grateful for today? God doesn t change, that means we don t have to wake up each day wondering if He loves us, if He s with us, or if He s speaking to us. That s a fact. What does this mean for you today? Where do you need to trust that He s with you and isn t changing?

14 DAY 2 PHILIPPIANS 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. What are you anxious about today? Are you worried about a relationship, someone s health, your job, or what the future holds? The great thing about God s love for us is that He cares about what we care about. Talk with Him about these things and as you do, know that He s with you and is listening.

15 DAY 3 2 CORINTHIANS 4:15-16 (NIV) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. God works through our victories and our struggles. Through our passions and our pain. Think about a time (it may be a present situation) where you felt defeated. What did you learn from that? What did you learn about God? About yourself? How did God use that to get you where you are today? Be thankful that God works and renews each and every day.

16 DAY 4 PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Do you sometimes feel like where you are isn t where you wanted to be? Like you haven t done all you felt like you needed to do? Maybe it s something you feel like you should have started, a relationship you should have put more effort in, or a ministry you should have joined, whatever it may be, there s still time. Like in Philippians 3, we have the opportunity to press on, to keep running, and to learn from our mistakes. Think about what God has called you to and where He s placed you. What do you need to do? How can you experience Him like never before?

17 DAY 5 MATTHEW 5:44 (NIV) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. We all have those people that have kind of become our enemies. Those people that we just don t seem to get along with. The thing about enemies is that when we despise them, we really hold ourselves back. Who have you been holding something against that you need to pray for? Search your heart, is there something there that is causing you not to love them?

18 DAY 6 PSALM 27:4 (NIV) One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Think about all you know about God. That He s powerful, loving, gracious, kind, patient, just, and present. Think about who God is and spend some time thinking about the beauty that He presents and how much He cares for you. Dwell on that for a few minutes.

19 DAY 7 ROMANS 8:38-39 (NIV) Think about all you know about God. That He s powerful, loving, gracious, kind, patient, just, and present. Think about who God is and spend some time thinking about the beauty that He presents and how much He cares for you. Dwell on that for a few minutes. Do you feel worthy of God s love? None of us do. How can a perfect God love imperfect people? It s because when God looks at a Christ follower, He sees Jesus perfection, not our mistakes. That means He sees you, mistakes and all and loves you unconditionally. Nothing can separate you from that love. Think about what it means to be loved by your Creator. How should that impact us today? What is your response to that?

20 GROWTH GROUP STUDY 21 DAY FAST / WEEK 2 By Jonathan Pearson FOR OTHERS John 17:20-24 (NLT) I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! In John 17, Jesus offers up one final prayer for the disciples He had spent His last 3 plus years with. Isn t it interesting that in this prayer, He didn t pray that they d take good care of Him or that they d make sure the tomb was clean before they laid Him in it. Instead, Jesus took the time to pray for His disciples and even us as followers of Him. Jesus knew the importance of praying for others and considering their needs. He knew that, in order for His message to get out, He needed this band of friends and the future believers they d tell about Him.

21 TALK ABOUT IT 1. Do you find it hard to believe that God could send you on a mission to change the world? 2. How often do you pray for God to work in supernatural ways in the lives of the people around you? Why is that? 3. Read Romans 8: How does God help us pray? What is a way that we could pray for others? 4. Read James 5: Why is it difficult to believe in the power of prayer? What do these verses say about prayer? 5. Decide a way that you can all pray for each other. Commit yourselves to a plan to intentionally pray for each other and seeking God on the behalf of others.

22 DAY 8 PROVERBS 22:9 (NIV) The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Would you call yourself generous? Would those closest to you? What keeps you from being generous in all areas of your life? Think about how you can be more generous today with your time, money, abilities, and gifts.

23 DAY 9 PHILIPPIANS 2:4 (NLT) Don t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. It s natural for us to look out for ourselves. We have to do certain things in order to survive and take care of our families. However, we should be others focused. In other words, we take care of ourselves, but we focus on others needs. Who around you right now needs a simple text of encouragement, hug, or positive word? What often prevents you from focusing on others? What can you do about it to better align yourself with this principle?

24 DAY 10 1 SAMUEL 12:24 (NIV) But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. What has God done for you? The truth is, everything you have that s good came from Him. The way He s protected you, provided for you, and planned for your life all show how great He is. What are you doing to give back? How are you using what He s given you for others? What steps can you take today?

25 DAY 11 MATTHEW 25:40 (NIV) The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. We can t serve God directly. We can t take Him something to drink or cut His heavenly grass. We can t serve Him, but the way we serve His children is ultimately the way we serve Him. Think of someone who has recently served you in some way and pray for them. Also, think about how you are serving the least of these.

26 DAY 12 TITUS 3:4-7 (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, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Our salvation is a total gift of Jesus. Nothing we ve done has made us able to be saved. His grace alone is our way to heaven. We have become heirs with Him. As an heir, we have an inheritance that s bigger than any we can imagine. Think about what it means to be a child of God. How does that change how you think about yourself and others? How does it change how you see your potential to impact the world around you? Spend some time thanking God for letting you be His child.

27 DAY 13 1 TIMOTHY 2:1 (NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Interceding is a really fancy word for praying for and believing God for other people. Intercession happens when we have a burden for someone else or other people and we act on it by praying for them. Who do you know that needs prayer today? Think about them and even set a reminder throughout the day to pray on their behalf.

28 DAY 14 ROMANS 8:26 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. People often struggle with the right words to pray. In fact, some people don t pray because they don t know what to say. Prayer isn t a magic word we say or a perfect plan to get God to do what we want. The truth is, it s about our heart. For a believer, the Spirit prays when we don t have the words. When we align with what He wants, our prayers don t have to have perfect words, just a surrendered heart. How would your prayer life change if you knew it wasn t all about the words you say? How can you make more time to make praying for yourself and others more of a priority.

29 GROWTH GROUP STUDY 21 DAY FAST / WEEK 3 By Jonathan Pearson A BURDEN FOR WHAT S BROKEN I love the story of Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego, some of Daniel s best friends in the book of Daniel. If you don t know that story, the king at the time issues a decree that everyone had to bow down to worship his statue anytime they heard the sound of musical instruments. Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego, being worshipers of God, refused to bow down. They saw something that was broken and refused to be a part of it. Since they wouldn t bow down, the king had them thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. As they were being thrown into the furnace, the people that threw them in were burned in a instant. After they made a hard landing at the bottom and the king thought he had justly punished them, the Bible says in Daniel 3:27 that, Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn t even smell of smoke! How about that?! They were willing to stand up for what was broken and the result is that God worked in them and through them. What God did for them caused the king to issue a decree that the true God they worshiped would be the God for everyone to worship. Now, don t get me wrong. God may not be telling you to refuse to do something, but he is calling you to have a burden for what you see is broken. Is someone being

30 mistreated? Is something just not right? Do you have a heart for a foreign country? Pray that God open your eyes to see the brokenness He s burdening you with. A burden isn t a bad thing if our eyes are open to it and if we press into God to have Him show us what to do with it. TALK ABOUT IT 1. Are there any needs around us that God has made you aware of? 2. Read Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:16, Luke 6:38, Matthew 5:42, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Romans 12:13, Luke 12:33-34, Matthew 25:44-45, Luke 3:10-11, & James 2: What does it look like to be a Christ-follower in the presence of people who need help? 3. Why is it easy to ignore the work God has given us to do all around us?

31 4. What tools has God made available to you to meet the needs around you? 5. List all of your limitations in meeting the needs around you. Now, list all of God s limitations to meet those needs through you. 6. Read Philippians 4: What does this statement mean to you?

32 DAY 15 NEHEMIAH 1:3 (NLT) They said to me, Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire. What news have you heard of brokenness in the world around you? Take some time today and ask God to reveal a need that you can help meet.

33 DAY 16 DANIEL 2:27-28 (NIV) Daniel replied, There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. Daniel had a gift that couldn t be faked. He used that gift for others and for God s glory. What gifts has God given you that you need to better utilize for Him? Where can you start doing just that?

34 DAY 17 1 PETER 4:8 (NIV) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. We develop a burden for what s broken out of a love for the broken people that we see around us. Think practically; What s one way you can show someone love today? What breaks your heart when you see it? What can you do today to begin to move toward helping it?

35 DAY 18 DANIEL 1:8 (NLT) But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. During the time of Daniel, the Jews were being persecuted by being forced to do things that were outside of their customs and dedication to God. Daniel was apparently broken over this and was determined to help his people. To do that, he asked permission not to eat foods that were unacceptable to a Jew. What kinds of things do you find yourself being pulled into that you know you shouldn t? How can you counteract that and resist its temptation? How can you help others do the same?

36 DAY 19 DANIEL 3:16-18 (NLT) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith that God would rescue them from the furnace. They also had faith that, if God chose not to, they d be protected as well. That is great faith! What are you trusting God for today? How will it help others? How will it help the broken?

37 DAY 20 NEHEMIAH 2:11-13 (NLT) So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Has God begun to give you direction for the plans He has placed in your heart? Take some time today and ask God for wisdom. Ask Him to direct you as you pursue healing what is hurt.

38 DAY 21 EPHESIANS 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. When we have a burden for what s broken, we can do something about helping to fix it. God working through us can do a lot. What, in your wildest dreams, could you do for the people around you in order that they see Jesus in a real way? What could you do for your family? Your coworkers? Your neighbors?

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