Fasting is about eliminating distractions and competing desires so that you can fully focus on God.
For fasting to be at its max in terms of effectiveness, it always needs to be coupled with prayer.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen once described it like this:
“Fasting detaches you from this world. Prayer reattaches you to the next world.”
This is one of the goals of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, that we “detach” from anything in this world that controls.
Whatever “controls” is our “master.” Whatever “controls” is our “god.”
One of the goals of 21 Days is that we would “detach” from anything that controls or masters us in this world — food, television, an addiction, a self-defeating habit, etc., so that we can “re-attach” to the kingdom of heaven.
In the OT, sometimes a fast was called during times of national emergency. For instance,
Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.
—Joel 2:15 NIV
If we’ve ever needed a time of prayer and fasting, we need it now!
The problems, division, dissension, turmoil, chaos in our country and current crisis with COVID cannot be fixed, bridged, healed or repaired by any political leader, party or platform. We are in desperate need of GOD and GOD alone!
What will be your focus during 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting?
What are you asking God to do?
Perhaps it’s a miracle for your marriage? A physical healing? A breakthrough in your career? Maybe it’s a breakthrough in your spiritual growth?
Entering this fast with a spiritual focus will bring clarity and power to the next 21 days of prayer and fasting.
While I have some very personal things I’m focusing on during 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, I would like to borrow some from Pastor Samuel Rodriquez, and for the next 21 Days, I’m praying a prayer born out of Isaiah 61. That the “GOD of INSTEAD” will give us…
- Beauty instead ashes,
- The oil of joy instead of mourning,
- A garment of praise instead of a spirit of depression,
- Revival instead of riots,
- Open heavens instead of lock downs,
- Unity instead of strife and division,
- Love instead of hatred,
- Truth instead of relativism and deception,
- Healing, wholeness and miracles instead of COVID, hospitalizations, death and despair,
- Restoration, reconciliation and resurrections instead of separations, burials and death counters,
- ONE NATION UNDER GOD instead of a nation dominated and controlled by fear!
So, as you begin this time of fasting and prayer, I encourage you to ask God to give you clarity and focus about what He wants you to focus your prayers on during this time? Then, make prayer a big part of your daily routine.
For instance, begin the day with personal praise and worship.
Read and meditate on God’s Word, then pray God’s Word back to God.
Pray for your personal needs and the needs of your family and friends.
Pray about your goals and dreams for 2021.
At noon, take a short prayer walk. As you walk, pray for your church, your neighbors, your city, state, nation and world. Pray for the leaders in these spheres, as well.
In the evening, take some time to be alone with God. Spend some time in solitude. Get away from every distraction possible. Listen for the voice of God. He will speak. He is speaking.
At some point during the day, pray for the un-reached millions of people in our world. Pray for missionaries and the mission of Jesus to advance.
If possible, begin and end each day on your knees.
The more time you spend alone with God during this time of fasting, the more effective and meaningful the next 21 days will be.
What is your focus?
What are you believing God to do over the next 21 days?
Saturate it in prayer.
Fasting is about eliminating distractions so that we can focus on God. As you focus on Him, He will meet you right where you are.