Our church has started this annual rhythm of setting aside 21 days in January for church-wide prayer and fasting. It’s funny my whole life a dedicated space for prayer and fasting felt like a bit of a chore but something about this church-wide rally to the feet of Jesus has changed my heart. The thing I look most forward to after the holidays is this set-apart time of corporate and individual prayer!
You don’t have to be a part of a church that has this same schedule to begin your New Year with a spiritual focus. Observing your own season of dedicated prayer and setting aside something that feels like a distraction is a powerful personal practice. Finding accountability partners to help you stay faithful to your commitment to the Lord is a good idea.
Why does our dedication to prayer and fasting matter to the Lord? Isaiah 58:6 tells us, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” When we focus our minds, bodies, and souls on the Lord… God promises to begin the work of freedom in our lives and communities! There is power in the practice of prayer and fasting!
What Is the Spiritual Practice of Fasting?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Jesus himself observed a 40-day and 40-night fast at the start of his ministry. Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose.
In the Old Testament fasting was a part of mourning and national repentance. People fasted when they needed strength, mercy, or to hear from the Lord (1 Samuel 7:6, Nehemiah 1:4, Esther 4:16). Fasting was seen as an important way to connect with God.
When Jesus arrived, fasting was a normal practice for the Jews. Jesus practiced fasting during his ministry. The New Testament church also fasted for strength and as worship (Acts 13:2-3)
Many modern Christians observe regular seasons of fasting, such as for Lent, the season leading up to Easter as a reminder of how Christ gave it all for us.
5 Verses about the Power of Prayer and Fasting
The Bible holds many verses pertaining to prayer and fasting. Here are a few to meditate on as you consider your own practice.
Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14
That your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:18
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4
Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
How to Prepare for a Season of Prayer and Fasting
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to prayer and fasting. Fasting can be abstaining from all food, social media, a particular set of foods, a form of entertainment, and more! Basically, it’s the practice of abstaining from something in order to better focus your mind, body, and soul on the Lord. Take some time to identify what it is you feel God is leading you to avoid for the duration of your fast.
Once you know what you would like to fast, determine how long you’d like to practice your fast. Our church does 21 days of fasting but others choose longer and shorter fasting periods. Be mindful of what you feel is a reasonable time for more committed spiritual practice. Make a plan on how to best ensure you can remain faithful to your practice. Think ahead of when you will be spending extra time in prayer during this season.
Find an accountability partner to share your plan with. If possible make this prayer and fasting season something that is observed by others alongside you. Maybe your spouse? Friend? Small Group? Family members? This accountability makes this season a richer experience.
I now anticipate this annual season of committed time focused on the Lord. Every year God has done big things in our lives not long after these 21 days of soaking in God’s presence. In 2021 God brought our son home just days after we completed our January 21 days of prayer. Last year God brought forth a vision for a way to get practically involved in supporting our local DSS agencies in our community. This past Fall we observed another 21 days of prayer…and soon after our one-day-daughter began her journey towards joining our family! I now joke that I can’t keep doing these prayer sessions because we can’t keep adding children to our family! Joking aside though, I know there is great power in focused time in God’s presence. This is the place he prepares our hearts, changes our world, and speaks to us about what he has next for us. It’s an ancient important practice that we need to make a part of our spiritual routine. January, I think, is the best time of year to commit to a season of spiritual discipline. What better way to prepare for what God has in this New Year than spending time at his feet?
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Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
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