21 DAYS OF PRAYER + FASTING - EMAIL LIST
If you are committing to engage with our church family during the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, sign up to receive regular emails before the fast begins including teaching, videos, resources and more. During the fast, Pastor Ben will send daily messages with devotionals, meet up opportunities and more.
If you are committing to engage with our church family during the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, sign up to receive regular emails before the fast begins including teaching, videos, resources and more. During the fast, Pastor Ben will send daily messages with devotionals, meet up opportunities and more.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BEN
Throughout the Bible we observe many seasons where God’s people came together with faith and expectation to see Him do a mighty work even in the midst of challenging times. Well, the days we are living in are certainly challenging and our response cannot be avoidance, fear or indecision. We must be a people who fast and pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in and through our lives as the Lord desires.
This is why we begin each year with a specific season of fasting and prayer. We believe that the beginning of the year gives us a unique opportunity to join our hearts together in order to seek God in a focused way. This year we are joining with our global Foursquare family with a focus on “Spirit-Filled Prayer."
If you consider NWC your home then I am asking you to participate in this fast and I encourage you to prepare your heart for how you will seek God during this time. You may have some questions about fasting which is normal, so please read through the rest of the information provided where you will find helpful suggestions as you commit yourself to going deeper!
Want 21 Days of Prayer + Fasting Scripture and prayer points each morning? Click here to download the NWC App and select “allow push notifications”. The first notification will be sent on Monday, January 6.
Ben Dixon
Lead Pastor, Northwest Church
This is why we begin each year with a specific season of fasting and prayer. We believe that the beginning of the year gives us a unique opportunity to join our hearts together in order to seek God in a focused way. This year we are joining with our global Foursquare family with a focus on “Spirit-Filled Prayer."
If you consider NWC your home then I am asking you to participate in this fast and I encourage you to prepare your heart for how you will seek God during this time. You may have some questions about fasting which is normal, so please read through the rest of the information provided where you will find helpful suggestions as you commit yourself to going deeper!
Want 21 Days of Prayer + Fasting Scripture and prayer points each morning? Click here to download the NWC App and select “allow push notifications”. The first notification will be sent on Monday, January 6.
Ben Dixon
Lead Pastor, Northwest Church
ALL CHURCH WORSHIP NIGHT
Wednesday, January 29 at 7pm
Join us as we come together to celebrate all that God has done through our time of Prayer + Fasting. We will come with expectation for an extended time of worship in His presence. The youth will be joining us as well!
Wednesday, January 29 at 7pm
Join us as we come together to celebrate all that God has done through our time of Prayer + Fasting. We will come with expectation for an extended time of worship in His presence. The youth will be joining us as well!
What is a fast?
Generally speaking, fasting is when a person abstains from food either fully or partially for a specific period of time in order to seek God through prayer. Many people in Biblical times practiced fasting as a spiritual discipline or in response to a specific need. In the Old Testament, Israel was required to fast collectively at least once a year on the Day of Atonement. In the New Testament we have records of the early church fasting and praying together for specific reasons and reliable church history tells us that Christians practiced fasting at least twice a week.
Why do we fast?
Knowing what a fast is doesn’t necessarily mean we understand its purpose. We can find many good Scriptural reasons for fasting and below you will find a short list that may be helpful. It’s important to remember that we not only fast and pray for ourselves, but also for those around us.
1. To humble ourselves to God through repentance – (Psalm 35:13, 1 Samuel 7:6, Ezra 9)
2. To draw closer to God – (James 4:8)
3. To receive revelation from God’s Word – (Ephesians 1:17-22)
4. To know God’s will or direction – (Acts 13:1-2)
5. To seek healing/deliverance – (Isaiah 58, Matthew 17:21)
6. To seek God’s intervention – (2 Samuel 12:16-23, 2 Chronicles 20:3)
7. To intercede for others – (Daniel 9:3)
1. To humble ourselves to God through repentance – (Psalm 35:13, 1 Samuel 7:6, Ezra 9)
2. To draw closer to God – (James 4:8)
3. To receive revelation from God’s Word – (Ephesians 1:17-22)
4. To know God’s will or direction – (Acts 13:1-2)
5. To seek healing/deliverance – (Isaiah 58, Matthew 17:21)
6. To seek God’s intervention – (2 Samuel 12:16-23, 2 Chronicles 20:3)
7. To intercede for others – (Daniel 9:3)
Different Types of Fasts
There are many different ways to do a fast depending on your situation. The most important part of fasting is the time we spend in prayer. If we deny ourselves food and do not pray then we will accomplish nothing. The following types of fasts are simply references to what we can do as we seek the Lord in prayer.
1. Full Fast
A full fast is where you go completely without food for a specific amount of time. There are at least four references in the Bible where people fasted food and water; however, we are only referencing food as a ‘full fast’ for obvious reasons. If you choose to do a full fast then we recommend you consult with others prior to doing so, especially if you take any kinds of medication.
2. Partial Fast
A partial fast is to simply go without a meal or two during the day. For example, you could fast from breakfast and lunch and spend an extended amount of time in prayer in place of that meal. There are no rules to this kind of fasting but you should decide beforehand what you will do and stick to it.
3. Daniel Fast
This kind of fast comes from Daniel chapter 10, where Daniel had a terrifying vision that caused him to abstain from all pleasant food and drink. If you choose to do this kind of fast then essentially you will be abstaining from all “meats, sweets, and treats.” Most people stick to fruits, vegetables and nuts or similar kinds of protein. There are many resources online that could provide healthy options for this.
4. Media Fast
Sometimes we are unable to participate in abstaining from food for various reasons, however, this does not mean we cannot fast and pray. We strongly encourage you to fast by replacing some forms of entertainment (TV, movies, internet surfing) with prayer and intentional time with family. God often uses this kind of fast to quiet the noise in our life and increase our ability to hear His voice.
1. Full Fast
A full fast is where you go completely without food for a specific amount of time. There are at least four references in the Bible where people fasted food and water; however, we are only referencing food as a ‘full fast’ for obvious reasons. If you choose to do a full fast then we recommend you consult with others prior to doing so, especially if you take any kinds of medication.
2. Partial Fast
A partial fast is to simply go without a meal or two during the day. For example, you could fast from breakfast and lunch and spend an extended amount of time in prayer in place of that meal. There are no rules to this kind of fasting but you should decide beforehand what you will do and stick to it.
3. Daniel Fast
This kind of fast comes from Daniel chapter 10, where Daniel had a terrifying vision that caused him to abstain from all pleasant food and drink. If you choose to do this kind of fast then essentially you will be abstaining from all “meats, sweets, and treats.” Most people stick to fruits, vegetables and nuts or similar kinds of protein. There are many resources online that could provide healthy options for this.
4. Media Fast
Sometimes we are unable to participate in abstaining from food for various reasons, however, this does not mean we cannot fast and pray. We strongly encourage you to fast by replacing some forms of entertainment (TV, movies, internet surfing) with prayer and intentional time with family. God often uses this kind of fast to quiet the noise in our life and increase our ability to hear His voice.
Practical Points of Fasting
- Plan your fast – (What kind of fast? How long? Write your plan out clearly!)
- Be specific with your fasting – (Know why you’re fasting and what you’re praying for)
- Plan your prayer time for each day – (When will you pray? Make this part of your plan)
- Journal your fast – (God will speak to you, but it may mean more at another time - journal)
- Drink lots of water – (We get most of our water from food, so double up on your water)
- Invite accountability – (It’s good to share what you’re doing with a trusted friend)