AND 2016 SEVEN DAYS OF PRAYER FASTING January 10-17 fcffamily.com
We are calling on every FCF member to join our annual seven-day prayer and fasting. This is the time of year when we corporately consecrate ourselves, our families, and ministries to God and believe God for victories and breakthroughs in every area of your life this year. Practical Guide to Seven Days of Prayer and Fasting... Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:5 Throughout history, God has called on His people to humble themselves through fasting and prayer. Fasting is a spiritual weapon God uses to advance His kingdom, change the destiny of nations, spark revival, and bring victory in people s lives. There is something powerful that happens when we voluntarily humble ourselves, seek God s will, and agree with Him for His purposes to be fulfilled. As a spiritual family, we begin each new year with seven days of prayer and fasting. It is our way of humbling ourselves before God and consecrating to Him the upcoming year. It is also the time when we corporately come into agreement and believe together for breakthroughs in our personal lives, families, finances and church. Over the years, as a result of this time of prayer, we have seen people receive healing, salvation, promotion, direction, family restoration, miraculous provision, and tremendous growth in their Life Groups and church. One of the highlights is always seeing and hearing testimonies of how God answers over and beyond what people ask. As you begin your fast this year, believe in your heart, by faith, that this is your year of miracles and answered prayers. Why Fast? Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Joel 1:14 When a man is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, he is demonstrating that he means business, that he is seeking with all his heart, and will not let God go unless He answers.
1. Jesus fasted. 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matthew 4:1,2 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. Luke 4:14 Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted forty days. He knew He was going to need spiritual strength to fulfill His purposes. Fasting makes us physically weak but spiritually strong and prepares us to do God s work. 2. Fasting is an act of humility and consecration.... I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.... Psalm 35:13 Humility results in the grace of God. When we humble ourselves in prayer, we have instant access to the heart of God. As we deny ourselves as an act of consecration, we are better able to exercise self-control. We can keep our emotions and desires under control. 3. Fasting helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Acts 13:2 When we deny ourselves of our natural cravings, our spiritual antennas become sharper. We become more sensitive to His voice as we divest ourselves of worldly distractions. We are better able to focus on God and submit to His will. This opens the door for the Holy Spirit into our lives. 4. Fasting brings revival. 2... in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:2,3 Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Daniel understood that Israel was headed for destruction. He also knew that in times like these, there is only one recourse intercession through praying and fasting. Throughout human history, God has brought revival and delivered nations from destruction in response to prayer and fasting. 5. Fasting is healthy. Fasting cleanses your digestive system from toxins. Doctors consider fasting a cure for certain allergies and diseases. By learning to deny ourselves and exercising discipline, fasting breaks unhealthy addictions in our lives.
Preparing to Fast Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16 Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Spirit can do a more intense work within us. 1. Be in faith! Prayerfully and thoughtfully fill out the prayer points page of this guide. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be clear and specific about your faith goals in your personal life, family, finances, and church. These are what you will be believing God for during the fast and the entire year. Expect God to answer. Maintain a thankful heart throughout and after the fast. 2. Commit to a type of fast. We encourage everyone to commit to a seven-day water only or liquid fast. However, we understand that some are unable to do so because of certain circumstances, such as pregnancy, a physically demanding profession, and medical conditions. If you belong to this category, there are alternatives you may choose to do a combination fast. You may do a liquid fast for three days and then a one-meal-a-day fast for the next four, for example, or any other combination according to your need or situation. Pray about the kind of fast you will undertake and commit to it. Do not decide on a day-to-day basis. Commit before the fast and be determined. Ask God for grace. 3. Plan your calendar. Limit your physical and social activities during this period. You need to conserve physical energy and devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible. 4. Prepare spiritually. More than anything, our annual fast is a time when we believe God for a fresh encounter with Him. Be prepared to have the Holy Spirit put His finger on an area in your life that needs to change. Repentance is the foundation of prayer and fasting. Be ready to repent and change, and be transformed. Surrender everything to Him. Be completely open. 5. Prepare physically. Be smart as you enter into this fast. Do not go to a buffet restaurant on the eve of the fast, hoping to stock up on food in your body. The key is to gradually prepare your body. Start eating smaller portions and meals seven days before you begin your fast. Avoid food that is high in sugar and fat. Two days prior to the fast, eat raw fruit and vegetables only. Consult a physician if you need to.
During the Fast 16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 The record of the whole Bible indicates that prayer and fasting combined constitute the strongest weapon committed to God s believers. 1. Seek the Lord. Commit to prayer and Bible reading the times you usually allocate for meals. Join at least one corporate prayer meeting. Be ready to respond when you hear from God. This guide also has a devotional that we encourage you to go through during the fast. 2. Commit to change. Whatever God tells you or puts His finger upon, apply it immediately. If you need to make restitution, immediately contact people you have broken relationships with. If there are habits that need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask your small group leader to hold you accountable. 3. Practical tips a. Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs. However, if you are under medication, these should only be withdrawn upon the advice of your doctor. b. Limit your physical activity and exercise. If you have a workout routine, adjust it accordingly. A daily two to five kilometer walk should be your maximum amount of exercise during an extended fast. c. Rest as much as you can. d. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day. Intercede for your family, pastors, church, nation, our missionaries, world missions, etc. e. Drink plenty of clean water. f. As your body adjusts, be prepared for temporary bouts of physical weakness as well as mental annoyances like impatience, irritability, and anxiety.
Breaking the Fast Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical benefits, success in prayer, the enduring with power, spiritual insights these must never replace God as the center of our fasting. 1. Reintroduce solid food gradually. You should break your fast the same way you prepared for it. It will take your body just as many days you fasted to adjust to a normal diet. Begin eating gradually. Don t eat solid food immediately after your fast. Start with fruits, juices, and salad. Then, you can begin adding vegetables and boiled potato. Take it slowly from there. Eat small portions spread throughout the day. 2. Continue praying. Don t let your prayer life end on the day you finish the fast. Build from the momentum you gained during the fast. Let it transform your prayer and devotional life. Carry the newfound passion with you throughout the year. 3. Be expectant. Be in faith and believe God to answer your prayers soon! Don t give up, persevere in prayer even if you don t see the answers immediately. Make sure you keep the copy of your prayer points. You can check it at the end of the year and see how God has answered your prayers. It can be your thanksgiving list at the end of the year. Conclusion Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us... Ephesians 3:20 Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation. Our annual seven-day prayer and fasting gives us the opportunity to realign our lives according to His will and consecrate the coming year to Him. As we humble ourselves corporately to Him in prayer, we can expect Him to move mightily in our midst. God s will is for all of us to experience breakthrough and victory in our lives. Be in faith for God to move miraculously in your life this year beyond what you can ask or imagine. You have a fresh mandate. Be ready to accomplish greater things for God this year!
Preparing For The Fast It s All About The Heart Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. As we look forward to this New Year and commit ourselves to a time of consecration and seeking God, our focus during the fast is our heart. Proverbs 4:23 makes it very clear this is the one thing that we should guard above all else. As we work on the contents of our heart as well as guarding it from the things that simply don t belong, the results are going to be amazing. Would you now begin to focus on how your heart might be changed as you fast and pray over the next seven days? Focus on your heart and let this be the moment that you give God permission to have an all access pass to every part of your heart you ll be so glad that you did! Reflect 1. According to Proverbs 4:23, why is the heart what we should guard above all else? 2. The Hebrew word for guard is NATSAR, which means: to watch, to preserve, to protect from danger, to keep close, to be blockaded, to post a watchman. How can you do this? 3. How does Luke 6:45 describe the importance of the heart? What is stored in the heart? Respond Throughout this season of prayer and fasting, pray now and give God an all access pass to your heart. Believe and do not doubt that God is true to His Word. Ask God to reveal Himself to you through the reading of His Word and by His Holy Spirit in order to possess every area of your heart.
This year, I am believing God for... Personal Faith Goals My Family My School/Career My Ministry Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 PRAYER PARTNER
FASTING SCHEDULE DAY DAY DAY 1 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: 3 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: 5 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: 7 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: } Elevate at FCF at 6 pm DAY DAY DAY DAY 2 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: 4 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other: 6 FASTING OPTIONS } Water Fast } Liquid Fast } Eat One Meal Only } Other:
DAY 1 DAY 1 Tune In My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 John 10:22-30; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 66:2; Read Isaiah 64:8 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. Reflect In this time of fasting, what is your heart 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. Respond In light of what you have just read, what is God asking of you? How can you apply it in your life? What is a prayer you can pray in response to Isaiah 64:8?
DAY 2 DAY 21 Spiritual Hunger Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 Read Mark 1:12-13, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Timothy 2:20-22 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 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. During this time of fasting, we may 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). Reflect Are you disconnected from the things that feed your mind and your body only and focused on strengthening your heart? What do you need to deny yourself so that this can be a powerful time in your life? Take time to pray and read God s Word during the time you would normally do what you are fasting from. God will honor your heart and commitment. Respond PRAYER Lord, give me a spiritual hunger that I have never known. Increase my thirst for righteousness, for purity, for holiness, for You! Break the power of sin and worldly habits that keep me from You. Pour Your cleansing, living water through me and make me a vessel that You can use to refresh others. Make me an instrument of Your healing and compassion. Use me in Your service. Help me to remember how short life really is so that I ll invest it in storing up treasures in Heaven.
DAY 3 DAY 21 3 Humble Yourself God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. James 4:6 Read What a great example of humility this man approached Jesus and knelt before Him in the midst of a crowd. As the father approached Jesus, he believed that Jesus would bring his son relief. But even in his belief, his approach was humble and submitted to what Christ would choose to do. Looking further into the story, we find the father was also persistent and resisted taking offense. Though the disciples were not able to help him, he set aside his temporary disappointment in their failure and continued to seek after Jesus the solution to his circumstance, the source of relief through his trial. Being humble before God is realizing our need of Him, submitting to His will, pursuing Him and being confident the outcome will occur in God s perfect timing. Be encouraged that approaching God with a heart of humility will always position you to find relief in Jesus. Don t be ashamed to humble yourself before God, even in the midst of others looking on. Offenses and disappointment may come but continue in your pursuit of Jesus. You may not get relief right away but know that God is never late and His solution is always perfect. Prayer is a posture of humility. Humble yourself before the Lord each day and bring your cares to Him. He wants to meet you where you are and answer your every need. Reflect Matthew 17:14-16, Isaiah 66:2, Colossians 3:12-14; James 4:6-10 Do I battle with being in control, and making sure that things are done my way and on my terms? If yes, then I acknowledge that I have to change. In which relationships do I struggle to walk in humility? How has my pride gotten in the way of my relationship with God? If there is a wall between myself and God, is my personal pride the real issue? Respond PRAYER: Lord, I bow before You realizing You are sovereign, almighty, and all powerful. I thank You that in Your greatness You still love and care for me. Your ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine, and I acknowledge my need for You. May I have a meek and humble spirit like Jesus. Remove pride from my life, for I confess I am nothing without You. I submit my life to You once again. I pray You remove disappointment and discouragement from me as I trust in You and Your perfect will. Help me to be humble and gentle to those around me. Thank You for working in my heart. I love You.
DAY 4 Monitoring My Behavior Is Not Enough Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 DAY 21 3 Read Matthew 15:18 19, Matthew 6:22 23, Matthew 5:27 28 It is a skill that we have all acquired. We have all learned to filter or monitor our words and behavior based on who is in the room. For most of us, the skill started with our parents. There are certain words that we would never say in front of mom or dad, but when our friends were around, saying those same words were no big deal. There may have been behavior that was acceptable among our peers on the playground, but in the classroom when the teacher was present, everyone knew exactly what not to do. As adults, now we filter when the BOSS is in the room, or when our kids are in the room, LIFE HAS TAUGHT US TO MONITOR OUR BEHAVIOR based on who is present. Isn t it interesting that God in His Word never teaches us to monitor our behavior? He is concerned with something of a much greater importance. God teaches us to monitor our heart. Matthew 15 gives us the clue as to why. Where do our words come from? Where do our thoughts come from? Adultery and sexual immorality all begin where? You get the point. All of it begins inside the heart and that is why that monitoring our behavior has never been, and never will be enough. When our focus is on what we do on the outside, we totally miss what matters the most. So today, if you re monitoring your behavior, stop wasting your time. Begin monitoring what matters most. The heart of the matter really is the matter of the heart. Today will you take responsibility with your heart and take it to the One that can change it? Reflect How is my heart? Is there anything going on behind the scenes that I hope no one discovers? Am I mad, bitter or angry at someone and it s still sitting in my heart? According to Matthew 6:22-23, what feeds our heart? What should we then be taking in with our eyes? Read Psalm 119:11 How does this impact my view of the importance of the Word of God in my life? Respond PRAYER: Lord, I realize that you ve commanded me in your Word to guard my heart above all else. Today I m asking you to reveal the areas where I ve let my guard down. Holy Spirit, please show me what is inside my heart that doesn t belong. Please show me who I need to forgive and give me the strength to do it. Please show me how I need to live each day, and help me today and from this day forward to monitor the condition of my heart. Jesus, please forgive me for being so focused on my behavior and today I give you control of my heart. My heart is in Your hands. I ask that every time that I allow the guard around my heart to fail, that You would immediately and instantaneously alert me to the ways I have let my guard down and I vow to immediately and instantaneously turn to You and run from evil. Thank You Jesus for giving me a new heart and taking control of my heart beginning today.
DAY 5 Don t Worry - Pray Instead Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG): Don t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. DAY 21 3 Read Philippians 4:6-7 Worry seems to be an inescapable fact of modern life. No doubt there is plenty to worry about: our future, the economy, global warming, war, disease... the list could go on forever! Sometimes it might seem that worry has even replaced Jesus as the focal point of our lives. Jesus, Himself, admonished us several times not to worry. And the great apostle, Paul, tells us in the passage above that there is an antidote to worry...prayer. When we worry about something, we are spending energy on it, wondering what might happen, rehearsing the if only s and what if s in our mind. Why not take that same energy and refocus it on prayer instead? When we worry, we are simply talking to ourselves about our fears, but when we pray, we are taking those fears to God. We can t control the future, but here is what we should focus on, God is already there! He knows exactly what is going to happen and He promises to be with us every step of the journey. As we continue this season of prayer and fasting, let s make an effort to remove worry from our hearts and turn it into prayer. As Paul says in the verse above, let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, and you will find that the peace of God will guard your heart. Reflect Are there things that you constantly worry about? As you go through your day today, recapture each worried thought and send it up to God as a prayer. See how dramatically your outlook improves when the peace of God is activated through prayer! Respond PRAYER: Lord, You know how often my mind goes to worry and not to trusting You. May my thoughts be quicker to turn into prayers to You, my Almighty God, because You know the plans You have for me, and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Thank You for Your peace that surpasses all understanding as I place my confidence in You and believe You are at work in my life.
DAY 6 Loving God & Loving People Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 DAY 21 3 Read Matthew 22:35-40; Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Loving God and loving people is the mission and motivation for ministry inside of FCF. Here is where we have to be careful; the pursuit of God can easily get crowded out in the work of God. To accomplish the mission of loving God and loving people, it requires an intentional approach to chase God in order to know and love Him fully. This is a lifelong pursuit. Each day we must pursue God in such a way that we recognize that our love for Him is truly unmistakable. Our love for Him will translate in our love for others. Passion for God always turns into a passion for His people. Remember this simple fact: you cannot give what you do not have. Without God s love existing on the inside of us, our attempts at loving others are empty and futile. So, how do you express love for God? By telling God, I love You? Singing praises to Him? These are good things, but they only scratch the surface. We show God we love Him through obedience because actions definitely speak louder than words. Our level of obedience grows as we get to know and experience His love, goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Our desire to follow and obey the Lord s commandments increases as we increase our love of God. The act of loving others is one of the most exhilarating things I have experienced. Think of three people you know who could really use a gesture of God s love. Then think of creative ways you can express His love to these people, and do it. You will feel a wonderful sense of fulfillment and joy afterward. Reflect Do I have a harder time loving God or loving people? Which people do I need God s help in loving? In Deuteronomy 6, why do you believe that God wants us to constantly keep His commandments before us? What needs to happen in order for your heart to be filled with God s love?
DAY 7 DAY 21 3 What s Your Assignment? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 Read Matthew 17:14-16, Isaiah 66:2, Colossians 3:12-14; James 4:6-10 Fasting and prayer are helpful to receiving a clear vision of God s specific path for our lives. Many times following a season of prayer and fasting we can have a more defined understanding of the part that we play in the body of Christ and a greater sense of our particular spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12). This chapter in the Gospel of Luke describes the circumstances surrounding the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Notice that He went into the desert full of the Holy Spirit. However, He returned to Galilee, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Being full of the Spirit is knowing God and his character; walking in the power of the Spirit is when we know that we have the God-given strength and authority in our lives to walk in His will. The power of the Spirit is essential for us to accomplish the assignment God has for our lives. God could be leading you to fast so that you can receive His specific instructions for your life. He will empower you, not just to know Him, but to walk in His power to accomplish what He has called you to do. Reflect Are you walking in the power of the Spirit and living in God s purpose for your life? Write down the things that God is and has been speaking to you about. Are there areas of your life that need more clarity? As you end your fast tonight, pray that God continually reveals His purpose and gives you ever increasing clarity and strength to walk it out. Respond PRAYER: Holy Spirit, thank You that Your power lives within me. I want to live more in Your power, so I ask that You come into my soul and fill me again. I do not want any sin in my life to block You, so I ask You to cleanse my heart. I know You have a purpose for my life, but I don t always know what that is. I ask for a clear calling and discernment because I desire to live out the assignment You have given me. Thank You that when You call me to something, You also completely equip me. I pray that You alone will work through me and that others will see You in me. Thank You for choosing me and giving me a purpose. May my life shine brightly for You!