Prayer and Fasting in 2025
As we have done each of the last several years, we will open 2025 with a week of prayer and fasting as a church. Pastor Jake will share more about this year’s fast on Sunday, January 12 and then, we’ll get started the morning of Monday, January 13.
Printed copies of our Prayer & Fasting Guide will be available to pick up in the foyer this Sunday, but you can start to prepare for the week now by downloading a digital copy of the guide here.
What does God desire for you to fast from next week? What can you do now to get ready for the week? Is there someone God wants you to encourage to participate in this time of prayer and fasting? These are some of the things you can start praying about now.
Below, you’ll find the introductory content from our Prayer & Fasting Guide, with general information about fasting as well as instructions for safe ways to participate. The guide also contains daily devotional content to read throughout the week along with Scripture to take you deeper into each day’s topic.
What is fasting and why are we doing it?
Fasting is giving up something good (typically food) to intensify our expression of need for something greater (God and His work in our lives). As we fast, we deny our bodily hunger to stir our spiritual hunger for God.
As we look ahead to this New Year, we believe that God has great things in store for your life, your family, and our church. And so, as we begin the year, our leadership is inviting you to join us to fast and pray together for one week, asking God to give us fresh manifestations of his Presence – evidenced in repentance, revelation, and the reconciliation of the lost.
During a fast, it is important that you surrender to God and accept the temporary discomfort. Listen for and to that still small voice (aka – the Holy Spirit) to guide you into what you need from God. Times of fasting can sometimes be very exciting with God’s voice ringing loudly, and other times it can be quite melancholy, boring and quiet. Either way, pursue the deep things of God, and be prepared for God to do something unexpected in your life. Like anything, you will usually get more out of it if you put more into it.
Why should we fast?
- It’s Biblical. Throughout Scripture, God’s people fast to repent of sin, grieve a loss, learn God’s mind on a matter or decision, strengthen themselves against temptation, and grow in spiritual power. Many of the heroes of the faith fasted to seek after God, including Moses, Elijah, Esther, David, and the ultimate example, Jesus. (Consider 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Matthew 4:1-11, Nehemiah 1:4, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:1-3, Mark 9:29, Daniel 10:3, Psalm 35:13)
- It humbles us. When we fast, we are laying ourselves low, telling God we are desperate for him and in need of him. “For ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5b). (Consider Psalm 35:13)
- It focuses us. As we fast, we turn away from certain things that grab our attention and occupy our thoughts and time, and we turn our focus toward God. As we remove the “clutter,” we create room for conviction and connection with Him, and the Holy Spirit can communicate with us with greater clarity and direction.
- It’s a powerful spiritual weapon. When combined with prayer, fasting can invite God to release the power of the Spirit in our lives, to bring His Kingdom to earth – evidenced in powerful outpourings of His Presence, emotional and physical healings, conversions, and deliverance. (Consider Mark 9:14-29)
Instructions
While there are different types of fasts, and the length of time can vary, we have chosen a one-week fast for this season in our church. This will be a time to seek refreshing and renewal, receive a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and intercede for Freshwater Community Church. Fast whatever and however you want (e.g., full fast, a meal a day, cut out processed foods/fats/sweets, “Daniel” fast [no meat, dairy, alcohol or any rich foods], etc.), and ensure the fast is coupled with prayer – otherwise it’s just a diet. You are also encouraged to fast in community with others and gather throughout the week to pray with each other. A fast is never just about food, but always about an intense pursuit of God by expressing deep sorrow for sin, seeking a move of God, or seeking direction from God.
Depending on your planned level of fasting, you should prepare yourself both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, be ready for God to move and to show you some things you need to know and work on. Be prepared to pray for extended periods of time along the themes for each day that are included on the following pages. Use this guide as a starting place for Scripture reading and prayer but feel free to add to it as the Holy Spirit leads you. If He brings other things to mind or the thought of an acquaintance or friend is strongly consuming your thoughts (even if you don’t know why), spend extended time praying for that person. Allow God to lead your time through this.
Physically, you should plan ahead. For example, if you intend to eliminate caffeine (could it be that some of us rely on caffeine more than we rely on God?☺), then consider starting to wean yourself off prior to the week of the fast. If you plan to skip a certain meal every day, then make a plan ahead of time. If certain foods will be off limits (sugar addiction, anyone?), you may want to tell others in your household or those close to you, and then put those foods in a different place. If you get hungry and cranky (and you will!), increase your water intake. And, of course, if you have health issues, please consult your physician before partaking in a substantial fast.
One last thought: You may want to write down what God is showing and telling you throughout the week. Oftentimes, when we focus on getting into His presence, God rewards these special times with some amazing words of encouragement, love and direction. And you will want to hang on to what He gifts to you and not lose it to foggy memory as life returns to normal.
A Beginning Reflection
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires (the requests, the longings) of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, ESV)
Lord, we ask you to stir up a hunger for you beyond all other things. Help us to seek Your face and give us encounters with you. Amen.