14 Days of Prayer and Fasting: Making 2016 Your BEST YEAR EVER!

Why 14 DAYS of prayer and fasting? 

There is life…and then there is living! Are you ready to start living God’s plan for your life?

“GOD FIRST” is the priority that should rule our lives! In fact, Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

Fasting is “abstaining from food or bypassing the opportunity eat with a specific spiritual goal in mind.” 

John Piper, in perhaps the best book I’ve ever read on Christian fasting, says it like this:  

“The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness [or hunger] for God.”

Unfortunately, what Piper goes on to say is absolutely true…

“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie.  It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world.  It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.  For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20).” —John Piper, A Hunger for God  

Our goal in fasting is simple: GOD. More of GOD. More of His Kingdom! Our goal is to pursue the heart of God and for God to accomplish His purpose and plan for a2! 

a2 Church will begin 2016 with 14 days of prayer and fasting (January 3 - January 17). Fasting in January is similar to praying in the morning in order to receive God’s direction for the entire day.  It’s giving God the first and “best part” of the New Year, believing that He will respond by blessing the entire year.  We would love for you to join us for this period of prayer and fasting!

Gathered Prayer Opportunities

During 14 Days of Prayer and Fasting we will meet daily at a2 Church to pray for the needs of our city, nation, families, and homes.  Here’s the schedule:

Monday — Friday, 6-7 am

Saturday, 9-10 am

Special Worship and Healing Service — Sunday, January 24, 6 pm

WHY SHOULD I PRAY and FAST? 

Jesus implied that all believers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-15).  For Him it was a matter of when believers should fast, not if they should fast.  So, why pray and fast?

• Do you desire a deeper, more intimate relationship with God?

• Do you want to increase your spiritual sensitivity?

• Do you need to break free from bondages, habits or addictions that are holding you hostage?

• Do you have a friend or family member that needs to know Christ?

• Do you want to know God’s will for your life?

• Is there a dream inside you that only God can make possible?

• Are you in need of a healing or miracle?

• Do you want to jumpstart your spiritual momentum for the New Year?

• Do you desire a great awareness of God’s presence in our church and in your life?

• Are you passionate about seeing a2 Church become more active and effective in the completion of the Great Commission?

• Do you long to see God bring revival to this generation? 

HOW TO BEGIN

Set your objective.  Determine a clear goal.  Be specific.  Why are you fasting? What do you need to pray about? 

Do you need spiritual renewal, guidance, physical healing, the restoration of a marriage or your family, grace to handle a difficult situation, a financial breakthrough?  Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Determine a clear object or set of objectives. This will enable you to pray specifically and strategically.

Always include Bible reading. Check out the Bible Reading Plans available at YouVersion.com/reading-plans. The beginning of a New Year and this focused time of prayer and fasting is a great opportunity to establish daily time in God’s Word.   

PREPARING SPIRITUALLY 

The foundation of prayer and fasting is repentance.  Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart: 

• Confess every sin the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.  Accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

• Ask forgiveness from everyone you have hurt or offended. Forgive all of those who have hurt or offended you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). 

• Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 

• Surrender your life fully to the purpose and plan of God (Romans 12:1-2). 

• Believe that God “rewards those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). 

• Do not underestimate spiritual opposition.  Satan will usually intensify his efforts when you devote yourself to prayer and fasting (Luke 4). 

• Find an accountability partner who will encourage you in your fast. 

• Keep a journal during your fast.  Write down specific insights God gives you from His Word, promises that you have claimed and answers to prayer that you receive. 

• Don't allow a momentary setback to keep you from ultimate victory. If, for some reason, you become weak and "blow it" in your fast, don't allow the evil one to overwhelm you with guilt. Confess it and move on!  

DECIDING WHAT KIND 

The type of fast you go on is between you and God. Here are some options: 

• A Normal (Full) Fast – Abstain from food, drink only liquids (water and / or specific juices). 

(The best juices are from fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid any liquids containing caffeine, as they will stimulate your appetite and make fasting more difficult. If you drink a lot of coffee, you may want to begin “weaning” yourself off caffeine over the next few days.) 

• The Daniel Fast – Abstain from meats, sweets and breads, drink only water or fruit juice.  (Vegetables and most natural fruits are acceptable.)  

• Combination Fast – Begin the first three days with a full or normal fast.  Continue by observing the Daniel Fast for the remaining period of your fast.

• Media Fast – A decision to limit or completely abstain from media – television, gaming, social media, etc. for a specific period of time. 

Important Note:  If you are on medication or have a medical condition, please consult your doctor before beginning a fast. Also, anyone engaging in a prolonged full fast should consult with his or her doctor.  

Deciding on what kind of fast you will observe ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon your fast.  

"More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us." —Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

IMPORTANT 

For maximum spiritual benefit, it is important that the time normally devoted to eating be given to prayer, Bible study and being alone with God.

Pray often throughout the day. Spend time in Bible Study. Make personal praise and worship a priority.  Spend time in solitude and get away from every distraction possible (television, radio, cell phones, computers, etc.) Keep a journal. The more time you spend alone with God, the more effective and meaningful your fast will be.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT

1.     My purpose or reason for fasting is: __________ 

2.     I will observe the following kind of fast: __________

3.     I will observe this fast for this period of time: __________

4.     My accountability partner during this fast will be: __________

5.     Why is this the right time for me to fast: __________ 

I believe that God is the only answer to my request and that prayer without fasting is not enough to get an answer to my need.  Therefore, by faith I am fasting because I desperately need God to work in this matter. God being my strength and His grace being my basis, I commit myself to the above fast. 

_____________________________________ Signed / Date