Several of our Change family members have been asking about doing a fast together.
We’ve put this guide together to help us go about fasting together as a family.
Our first round of fasting together will be from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
”return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
-Joel 2:12-13, ESV
What is fasting?
Fasting is the practice of temporarily abstaining from food (or other enjoyable things) for spiritual purposes. Fasting is a practice that helps us take our eyes off of worldly things so that we can focus our attention solely on God. Fasting can help us experience a deeper fellowship with God.
How are we fasting?
Our first round of fasting together will be from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. During this time, we will fast for 7 days straight and for one meal each day. If you desire to fast for more than a meal a day, you are more than welcome to do so.
What is the purpose of this fast?
Fasting helps draw us closer to the living God. It helps us have a more intimate fellowship with Him. Our hope is that all of us will come out with a stronger relationship with God after this fast.
In addition to having deeper fellowship, we will be praying and asking God for guidance regarding where we’re going as a church. In this guide, there are several prayer points for us to consider for each day of the fast.
How should I go about it?
-For each of the 7 days, choose which meal you’re going to abstain from. You may choose to abstain from more than one meal if you desire.
-Replace eating food with extended time with God. You can choose to pray, read Scripture, meditate, sing worship songs, journal, etc. Go as the Spirit leads.
-Take time to pray through some of the prayer points for each day. Then take time to listen to God and hear from Him.
-If you hear from God and feel that you have permission to share it with others, you can use the form in this guide to send a message to the pastors of the church. The leadership will then prayerfully consider if it’s something that should be shared with the rest of the community.
“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” -Nehemiah 1:4, ESV
DAY 1
Monday, Nov. 26
Theme: Spiritual Depth
Pray that God would lead you and every member of our church family to deeper levels of spirituality. May we not simply “coast along” in our walk with the Lord. May we go further and deeper than ever before.
DAY 2
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Theme: Spiritual Warfare
Continue to uphold each other against the attacks of the enemy. The enemy will not stop attempting to hinder God’s work but the Lord whom we call upon is stronger. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.
DAY 3
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Theme: Unity
Pray that our church will continue to be as united as it is today. The enemy will attempt to cause confusion and unity. Instead, let us be eager to show love, grace, mercy, and peace. We are one body in Christ.
DAY 4
Thursday, Nov. 29
Theme: Spiritual Gifts
Let’s ask God to continue pouring out the Holy Spirit among us. May we believe that the Holy Spirit will grant us various spiritual gifts in order to build up the body of Christ and to advance God’s Kingdom forward.
DAY 5
Friday, Nov. 30
Theme: Evangelism
Let’s continue to encourage each other to share the good news and spread God’s Kingdom. Let’s pray for our Friday night efforts at the local mall and for any individuals that each of us may come across during our regular day. Also lift up family and friends who are not saved.
DAY 6
Saturday, Dec. 1
Theme: Future Location
Ask God about our future as a church especially regarding a venue to hold worship gatherings and weekly activities. This could go either way. God may want us to stay or He may want us to move. Let’s be attentive to what God will say.
DAY 7
Sunday, Dec. 2
Theme: Culture
May our culture of love, sacrifice, generosity, prayer, discipleship, and evangelism continue to spread throughout the church. May new people who come into our community be attracted to the Christ-like culture that permeates our church.
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
-Ezra 8:21-23, ESV