Fasting
Prayer and Fasting Guide
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting:
Drawing Closer to God
As Christians, we are called to seek God through prayer and to deny ourselves in fasting, especially during powerful spiritual seasons. One of the most impactful ways we can grow in our relationship with the Lord is through a time of focused prayer and fasting. A 21-day period of prayer and fasting is a wonderful opportunity to press into God, listen for His voice, and prepare our hearts for His will. But what exactly does this time look like? How can we make the most of these 21 days?
We will walk through the importance of prayer during the fast, how to choose the right kind of fast, how to progress through the fast, and, most importantly, what fasting is meant to accomplish in our lives.
1. The Power of Prayer During the Fast
Drawing Closer to God
Prayer is what you do during the times of actual abstaining. If you’re skipping a meal, for example, instead of just going hungry, fill that time with prayer. Use the moment when you would normally be eating to seek God and deepen your connection with Him. If you are abstaining from TV, instead of turning on a show, use that time to pray, read the Bible, or reflect on God’s goodness. Fasting is not just about what you give up; it’s about what you put in its place. Fill the time you would normally spend on distractions with intentional moments of prayer and seeking God’s presence. This is where the power of fasting truly lies – in exchanging earthly distractions for divine communion.
Prayer is the heartbeat of any fast. The Bible tells us that prayer and fasting are a way of humbling ourselves before God (Psalm 35:13) and seeking His will with full devotion. The fast itself doesn’t change God, but it changes us by aligning our hearts and minds with His purposes. As we fast, we remove distractions in order to spend more time in prayer, strengthening our relationship with Him.
During a 21-day fast, we should focus on several key areas of prayer:
– Personal Growth: Pray for personal spiritual growth, that God would help you deepen your faith, refine your character, and grow in your relationship with Him.
– Clarity and Direction: Fast and pray for clarity in areas of your life where you may be uncertain, whether in relationships, career decisions, or ministry opportunities. Ask God for divine wisdom and insight.
– Breakthroughs: This is an excellent time to pray for breakthroughs—whether spiritual, physical, emotional, or relational. Trust that God hears your prayers and is faithful to work in your life.
– Revival and Transformation: Ask God for a fresh outpouring of His Holy Spirit on your church, community, and the world. Pray for revival in the hearts of believers and for transformation in your city and beyond.
– Intercession: Use this time to intercede for loved ones, neighbors, and even people who may be far from God. Pray for their salvation, healing, and for God’s provision in their lives.
2. Types of Fasts You Can Do
– Complete Fast: This is when you abstain from all food and drink except for water. This type of fast requires great discipline and should be done with careful consideration and under medical advice, especially for those with health concerns.
– Partial Fast: A partial fast involves giving up certain foods or meals. For example, you may decide to skip meals during the day or only consume fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to start fasting if you’re new to the practice.
– Daniel Fast: Based on the example of Daniel in the Bible (Daniel 10:3), this fast involves abstaining from meat, sweets, and bread, and consuming only vegetables, fruits, and water. It’s a moderate and highly spiritual form of fasting.
– Social Media or Technology Fast: In today’s digital age, distractions often come in the form of social media, video games, or excessive screen time. A fast from social media or other distractions allows you to redirect that time and energy toward seeking God in prayer and Scripture reading.
– TV or Entertainment Fast: If you find yourself relying on TV or entertainment to fill your time, consider fasting from these activities. Use the extra time to pray, read Scripture, or engage in acts of service.
– Activity or Habit Fast: Consider fasting from an activity or habit that takes up a significant amount of your time or energy, such as coffee, shopping, or even an extra hobby. This creates space for God to move in your life as you focus more on Him.
3. How to Progress Through the Fast
Fasting is a spiritual journey, and it’s important to approach it with both determination and grace. Here are some practical steps to help you stay on track during the 21-day fast:
– Set Clear Intentions: Start by setting a clear goal for your fast. What do you hope to achieve during these 21 days? Is it spiritual growth, breakthrough in a specific area, or clarity for decisions? Write it down and pray about it as you begin.
– Start Small: If this is your first fast or you’re new to extended fasting, start small. A complete food fast for 21 days may not be feasible, so begin with a partial fast or a specific commitment for each week.
– Make Prayer a Priority: The purpose of fasting is to spend more time in prayer. Set aside time each day to pray, worship, and read the Bible. If possible, join with your church or a small group for corporate prayer.
– Stay Accountable: Share your fasting goals with a trusted friend or group for support. Accountability helps you stay committed and encourages you along the way.
– Expect Spiritual Growth: Throughout the fast, expect spiritual growth and personal transformation. God honors our efforts to seek Him earnestly, and He is faithful to draw near to us as we draw near to Him.
4. What Fasting Accomplishes
Fasting is not just about giving up something; it’s about creating space for God to do a deep work in our hearts and lives. Here are some key purposes of fasting:
– Spiritual Clarity and Focus: Fasting helps to clear away distractions and sharpen your focus on God. When we fast, we intentionally set aside the things that typically fill our time and attention, making room for His presence.
– Increased Sensitivity to God’s Voice: By removing distractions, fasting helps us tune in more clearly to God’s voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in a still, small voice, and fasting helps us become more attuned to it.
– Breakthrough in Strongholds: Fasting has the power to break spiritual strongholds. It’s an opportunity to press into God for breakthroughs in areas of your life where you’ve felt stuck or defeated.
– Humility and Dependence: Fasting reminds us of our dependence on God. It humbles our hearts and teaches us that true nourishment comes from God alone. In fasting, we deny ourselves and rely on His provision and grace.
– Drawing Nearer to God: Ultimately, fasting is about drawing closer to the Lord. It’s about deepening our intimacy with God and becoming more like Jesus as we spend time with Him in prayer.
Embrace the Journey
A 21-day fast is a powerful way to seek God’s will, grow spiritually, and see breakthroughs in your life. Whether you’re fasting from food, activities, or distractions, remember that the goal is to draw closer to God in prayer and to open yourself up to His transformative power.
As you commit to this journey of fasting and prayer, may you experience a deeper connection with God, a greater sensitivity to His voice, and a renewed sense of purpose in your life. Let this 21-day fast be a time of spiritual awakening and personal revival!
Let’s fast and pray, believing that God will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
