21DAYS of PRAYER& FASTING

21DAYS of PRAYER& FASTING

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 4th February to 25th February 2019 Greetings, I am so glad you have decided to participate in an extended time of prayer, fasting, and personal devotion. There really is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about God s refreshing power into every area of our lives than through prayer and fasting. This 21-Day Encounter of fasting and praying is designed to be flexible so that you can participate at any level. Whether you have done a twenty-one day of prayer and fasting before, or if this is your first time, you can start where you are and experience what God has in store for you in a powerful way. There are seasons that demand for us to function as a powerboat, motoring through the rigors of life, work, and responsibilities. However, I believe that life in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit affords us the ability to operate more like a sailboat. Being a sailboat requires that we trust a power beyond ourselves to be carried to a destination ahead while experiencing Fresh Encounters with God. ANCC. Will you choose to be a sailboat? Let s set sail and allow the wind of God to lead us into a new and exciting season. Together, we will seek the Lord s advice for direction and provision. My prayer is that each of you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to our Father over the next twenty-one days. May God continue to bless you and encourage you as you seek Him first! Steven W. Bell Pastor 1

HOW DO I PRAY AND FAST? WHY PRAY & FAST? Prayer Prayer is a very important element in our lives. It is spending time in fellowship with God and talking to Him - in other words, abiding in Him. In the parable of the Vine, our Lord tells us how to cultivate a prayer life so that we can bear fruit. In John 15:7-8. He says. if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. The key to a fruitful life is a prayerful life or abide in Him. It is crucial that we grasp this and live it out because when our prayers are answered, the works of our hands flourish. This brings God glory. God is glorified when we begin to understand and walk in all that God has and wills for us. This changes our lives - from being autonomous individuals to becoming disciples. We can start setting aside a place and time when you can seek Him every day. If you don t plan it in, it won t happen. If you find it a challenge to disconnect from busyness of your day, start with worship to prepare your heart to prayer. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Prayer of the righteous man avails much James 5:16 2

HOW DO I PRAY AND FAST? Fasting Besides prayer, fasting is also a spiritual discipline that builds up our inner man (spirit). Basically, it is going without food, water, or specific meals and other activities in favour of nourishing and focusing on our spiritual life. There is no perfect formula as to what is the right way to fast. Fasting is not legalistic way of gaining points with God or manipulating Him to do something for you; it is about the condition of our hearts. Here are some reasons why we fast: a. Following Jesus example - Fasting was a way of life for all the great prophets and leaders in the Bible. Jesus fasted for 40 days. b. Fasting is an act of humbling ourselves - David said, I humble myself with fasting. (Psalm 34:13) c. Fasting helps us focus on heavenly things - In a place of contriteness, hiddenness and intimacy, the Holy Spirit can reveal to us our true spiritual condition, leading us to repentance and holiness. (Colossians 3:2) Important Note: 1. Before you begin fasting, make sure you are in good health, not anemic, underweight or having mental health issues. Those who suffer from chronic illnesses of their vital organs, having ulcers, or are diabetic, are advised not to fast. Please get professional medical advice if needed. 2. If you are fasting for the first time, start slowly, e.g with one meal. Prepare yourself physically and spiritually to last the extended 21-day period. a. Stay committed to spending specific time to devoting yourself to seek Him. b. Read His word and pray c. Worship the Lord Therefore, when it comes to making your final decision about what type of fast is right for you, start simple and slowly. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide your heart and mind as to what is best for you. Remember, the most important consideration in fasting is your motive. Why are you fasting? 3

HOW DO I PRAY AND FAST? Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Matthew 6:1 Types of Fasts a. Normal Fast, going without food for up to 40 days (Exodus 34:28, Mark 2:18, Act 13:2-3) b. One Meal Fast, sacrificing one meal a day. c. 21 Day Daniel Fast, abstaining from certain foods. (Daniel 10:3). There was a three-week period in which he abstained from delicacies, i.e. meat and wine (Daniel 10:3) and only ate vegetables.the foundation of the Daniel fast is fruits and vegetables. d. Juice Fast is simply consuming vegetable/fruit juice and water instead of solid food. Many people include whey protein in their liquid plan as well. e. 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. f. If skipping meals is not possible, try fasting certain types of food (like sweets, soft drinks), or you can fast from activities (like TV, Social Media or Sports). It s important to convert that time to devotional activities, not just abstain from them. Fasting is not so much about food as it s about FOCUS saying no to the body as it s about SAYING YES TO THE SPIRIT doing without as it s about LOOKING WITHIN Fasting IS an outward response to an inward attidue and cry of the soul 4

Benefits of Fasting are numerous and includes: - Deepened Humility - Increased hunger for God to work - Intensified prayer concentration - Radically pursuing God s vision and direction for His Church and our lives. - Heightened expectancy of faith & effective prayer - Greater receptivity to the Spirit of God at work within and through our lives. 5

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR AMAZING THINGS READING: JOSHUA 3 Joshua sent men ahead into the Promised Land to scope it out. But before the rest of the people could enter, they needed to prepare themselves for a new day in their generation. He told them not only to consecrate themselves, but to also be sure to keep their eyes on the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant ahead of them. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before, explained Joshua. Joshua then shared a promise with them - the Lord was going to do amazing things! Surely the people of Israel were eager to see how God was going to work on their behalf. Joshua told the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:5 PRAY FOR SELF DAY 1 Consecrate Consecration is the act of dedicating or setting something aside for a holy purpose. Ask the Lord to show you how to consecrate or prepare yourself. Invite Him to bring to light your sin and ways you need to repent and return to the Lord. * Ask God to search our thoughts, motives, ideas, intentions & craftiness of the heart. * Humble ourselves and confess our sins of unbelief, unforgiveness, anger, lies, bitterness, jealousy, envy, gossip, slander etc. * Repent of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. * Let us also forgive anyone that has offended us. Let us go to God as David did and ask Him to purge me with hyssop so that we can be clean. Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Act 3:19 6

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 2 Set Your Heart on Things Above Examine your life and identify the distractions that keep you from coming to God. Ask God to help you remove these distractions and pray that your heart will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit s leading and conviction as you open your heart to Him. Allow Him to work and sanctify you. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. DAY 3 Colossians 3:1-2 Hunger As you begin fasting, pray that you would have a hunger for the things of God, His words, His righteousness and His will. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 DAY 4 Humility Humility is found when we depend on God and not self. Fasting is one of the means of humbling ourselves before God, allowing Him to fill us and feed us. Remember, that humility before God leads to a deeper understanding of Him. Pray for God s humility to increase in us. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, These, O God, You will not despise. DAY 5 Psalm 51:17 Strength to Overcome Temptation Fasting helps you to focus your energy (mind, emotion and will) on the right things. Take a moment to ask the Lord to show you and to give you strength to endure every temptation/distraction. Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 7

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 6 Grace Grace is not only what we need for salvation, but it s also extremely necessary for empowerment and focus. Grace not only saves, but delivers. Pray for a renewed understanding of God s grace towards you. Grace to pray, grace to believe, grace to overcome. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Corinthians 12:9 DAY 8 Dependance on God s Power Every miracle was an obstacle before it became a miracle. We worship a miracle-working God. Pray specifically for the miracle you need in your life and trust him for the miracle. Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirits, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 DAY 7 Faith Faith pleases God. Faith isn t merely realizing or hoping there are better days ahead, it s what is necessary to get us there. Pray for your faith in His promises to be strengthened. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God, must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him. DAY 9 Spritiual Revival Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive every dryness in your spiritual life, let Him refresh your heart. Great are your tender mercies, O LORD; Revive me according to Your judgments. Psalm 119:156 Hebrew 11:6 8

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 10 Spiritual Growth Ask God to bring increase in your life that you will grow in spiritual maturity (understanding in God s word, ability to hear his voice, functioning in your gifting) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-christ. Ephesians 4:14-15 DAY 11 Learning to Do the Will of God God has a perfect will and purpose for everyone whom He has created. Pray for the will of God to be done in your life (family/ministry/workplace/ school/nation) and choose to submit yourself to His will. Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10 9

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH Church Vision Pray for the mandate of ANCC. DAY 12 ANCC Mandate We exist for the reshaping of lives in Christ and Community And He said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 DAY 13 Love the Lord your God We are to love the Lord with our whole being and our neighbor as ourselves, bringing that love to the hurting world. Pray that ANCC family will experience and live out the grace and unconditional love of God. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment and the second, like it, is this; You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 10

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 14 Dwelling in His Presence Ask God to fill ANCC with His presence. Pray for ANCC family to experience God s presence and encounter him in a deeper way daily. DAY 15 Love one Another Pray that ANCC Family, will build with love and honor and be willing to lay down our lives for one another. And He said, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Then he said to Him, If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?. So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth. Exodus 33:14-16 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 DAY 16 Marriages and Families The health of the church family is greatly dependent upon the health of each family. Pray for strong marriages and families, and for godly children to be raised up. Yet you say, For what reason? because you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit?. And why one? He seeks godly offsprings. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. Malachi 2:14-15 11

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 17 Generations walking together We believe the family of God must embrace people of all ages because each generation needs the other to fulfill God s calling. Honoring and recognizing that each generation has a vital and important role in the Kingdom. Pray that generations in ANCC family will walk together fulfilling, the will of the Father That the generations to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Luke 18:15-17 DAY 18 Church Leaders Pray for ANCC Pastors, Board of Directors, and Ministry Leaders that they would be filled with God s spirit and faith, that they will be found faithful to their calling. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Hebrew 13:7 DAY 19 Church Ministries Pray for the different ministries to be strengthened, to disciple the church family and fulfill the church mission. Ministries Adult Ministries Children Ministries Youth Ministries Discipleship Ministries Worship Ministry Congregational Care Congregational Support Take heed to the ministry which you received in the Lord, that you may fullfill it. Colossians 4:17 12

21 DAY PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE DAY 20 Unity Pray that ANCC family be knitted and joined together, with each one doing their part, causing growth to the whole. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16 DAY 21 The Great Commission Pray that ANCC family will be faithful in fulfilling the Great Commission. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:10-20 13

Prayer & Reflection

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