New Year’s Challenge: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

This past Sunday we spoke about a way we want to start the New Year seeking God together! We’re challenging you to join us in a focused 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Whether you choose to fast or not, you can simply use the prayer resources provided below for those 21 days, but we want to share with you a bit about why fasting might be in order.

Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline often misunderstood or overlooked. Many associate it with extraordinary spirituality or as a practice reserved for a select few. However, fasting is for anyone longing to deepen their connection with God, to see their faith grow, and to make their prayers more effective.

At its core, fasting involves denying the things our flesh craves—whether food, entertainment, or other distractions—to create space for drawing closer to God. By suppressing our physical and worldly appetites, we align our hearts with His and gain access to the power of the Holy Spirit. As Romans 8:12-14 reminds us, through the Spirit, we can overcome sinful tendencies and live as true children of God.

Why Combine Prayer and Fasting?

Our connection to the world often runs deeper than we realize. It can corrupt our priorities and distract us from fully relying on God. While prayer connects us to God, fasting disconnects us from worldly distractions. Together, they foster a discipline of pushing away the temporary to make room for the eternal.

When we fast, we awaken a hunger for spiritual nourishment, abstaining from the things we usually use to fill the void that only God can satisfy. This process strengthens our spirits while weakening the pull of our flesh.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of fasting. In Matthew 9:14-15, He explained that His disciples would fast once He returned to heaven, showing that fasting is essential for maintaining intimacy with God in His physical absence. The early church also practiced fasting regularly, seeking God’s guidance in both significant decisions and everyday moments.

What Does Fasting Look Like?

Fasting isn’t limited to food. While fasting from meals is traditional, some may be unable to fast due to health conditions or medications. Thankfully, fasting can extend to anything that occupies our attention and comforts us—social media, entertainment, hobbies, or other activities. The goal is to redirect the time and energy spent on these things toward God.

As you fast, you’ll discover a profound truth:

Whatever you starve dies.

Whatever you feed thrives.

Fasting weakens our attachment to worldly things while feeding our hunger for God’s presence.

Types of Fasts: To help you begin, here are three types of fasts you can consider:

1. Fast from Things That Distract

• Objective: Focus

Distractions like social media, video games, or endless entertainment can consume valuable time and energy. Hebrews 3:1 encourages us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. If something sinful distracts you, it’s not just for fasting—it’s for removal.

Use the time gained by setting aside distractions to engage in focused, relational prayer. Let the quiet created by fasting from these distractions open your heart to hear God’s voice more clearly.

2. Fast from Things That Sustain

• Objective: Trust

This fast challenges us to rely on God as our ultimate sustainer. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 4:4 that we do not live by bread alone but by every word from the mouth of God.

When you fast from food or another source of sustenance, you’ll feel the tug of hunger or dependency. Use those moments to turn your trust toward God. Let the absence of these comforts remind you that only God can truly satisfy your needs.

3. Fast from Things That Occupy

• Objective: Space

Busy schedules often leave little room for God. Psalm 23:1-3 paints a beautiful picture of rest and refreshment in God’s presence. By clearing your calendar or setting aside regular activities, you create space for God to lead you beside still waters and restore your soul.

This might mean waking up earlier, skipping a regular activity, or dedicating intentional time to prayer and Scripture. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray; we can follow His example by making space in our lives for communion with God.

The Heart of Fasting

The purpose of fasting isn’t to manipulate God or achieve personal goals. James 4:2-3 warns against selfish motives, reminding us that fasting should flow from a desire to grow closer to God.

Fasting is a posture of humility and surrender, allowing His voice to become louder than the world’s noise—or even our own. It’s about intimacy, trust, and making room for the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.

So, whether you fast to refocus, deepen trust, or create space for God, remember this: fasting is a discipline with eternal rewards. As you disconnect from the world and connect with God, you’ll experience a deeper intimacy with Him and see His power at work in your life.

I don’t know what this might look like in your life, or even if you’re willing to go on this journey together with me, but I’m praying that you do. Here are a few helpful resources to guide you along the way:

First up, a reading plan for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting that we’d love to read together: https://bible.com/p/70915445/ee92e67cbc7178692e73fe01483db9b7

Next, a 21 days of prayer and fasting handout with daily prayers as well as a specific focus for each day beginning January 1, 2025. If you’re unsure about the fasting part, don’t let that keep you from spending the first 21 days of this new year praying focused and intentional prayers with us together as a church: https://bit.ly/3Pe3RbO

Finally, we’ve put together a quick refresher on fasting to help you remember the different types of fasts along with some other helps along the way if you choose to fast along with prayer: http://bit.ly/40blfnI