As we begin this journey together, we do so because Jesus taught that when we fast, pray, and give to the needy with the right heart and motives, GOD SEES, and HE REWARDS! Together, let’s draw closer to God, examine our hearts, and fast & pray for breakthroughs and growth! (Matt. 6:1-6, 16-18)

TO HELP YOU SUCCEED:

1. Pick a Fast.

Fasting is withholding from something we want so we can set our minds and attention on God. Food is an import-

ant part of life, but Scripture is full of invitations to go without it for a period of time to connect with God and be

more mindful of our reliance on him. When you’re craving what you’re fasting from, turn that hunger toward God. Spend time with him in his Word, journal and journal/reflect on what the Holy Spirit speaks to you. And pray believeing God sees and hears and rewards our faith!

Why do we fast? Check out Pastor Steven’s message on YouTube: Killier Instincts Pt. 4 - Pray, Fast, Fight! https://www.youtube.com/@onechurchtx

Here are four different fasts to choose from.

Read through the different fasts and decide which one is right for you. If, for any reason, you don’t feel comfortable or unable to fast from food, the final option (the soul fast) is for you!

Complete Food Fast

In this type of fast, you drink only liquids. Drink a lot of water, and then add in juice and shakes as needed.

Partial Food Fast

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food for a certain

period of time each day. For example, you can choose to skip a certain meal or abstain from eating until sunset.

Selective Food Fast

This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel

Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids

and fruits and vegetables for food.

Soul Fast

If you don’t have much experience fasting food, have health (or other) issues that prevent you from fasting food,

or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance, this is a great option for you. For ex-

ample, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then

carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

Choose a Rhythm:

Fast a meal(s) each day. (break the fast on Sundays, like the Jewish tradition of breaking the fast on the Sabbath.)
Fast a day each week

2. Set Your Strategy.

The next key to making these 21-days successful is establishing a prayer routine that works for your schedule.

We are creatures of habit, and the goal for these next three weeks is to establish a healthy habit of prayer we can

carry with us for the rest of the year. Your strategy should consist of three things—a time, a spot, and a plan.

Pick a Time

What is a time that works for you every day? If you have young kids, there is a good chance it will either have to

be before they wake up or after they go to bed. It doesn’t matter when it is; just pick the time that is going to be

easiest for you to stick to and put it in your calendar right now.

Pick a Spot

Your prayer times will be a lot more consistent if you designate a specific spot for them. Maybe it’s a certain chair

or closet. Or maybe it’s your backyard or a park or even your car. Again, it doesn’t matter what spot you choose; it only matters

that you pick one and stick with it.

3. Pick a Plan

The best way to ensure you will have success during your prayer time is to go into it with a plan. There are many

different models you can follow for this. Pick a daily reading plan on the Youversion app—there are thousands to choose from by topic. Or use a daily devotional book alogside your Bible. A favorite classic is “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers.

One model for PRAYER—Pray through the acronym: ‘ACTS’:

Adoration: Start your prayer by praising God for who he is.

Confession: Admit any sin in your life.

Thanksgiving: Next, express gratitude for a few things in your life.

Supplication: Finally, end your prayer by praying for one person.

What if today was the day you established a routine for your prayers. And what if next year at this time, you can

look back and know that you’ve prayed every day for the last 365 days? Praying for one day may feel under-

whelming, but if you pray every day for a year, the results will be overwhelming!

One model for ENGAGING with the BIBLE—look for the ‘SPECK’:

Is there a SIN to be avoided?

Is there a PROMISE to believe?

Is there an EXAMPLE to follow?

Is there a COMMAND to obey?

Is there something to KNOW about God or myself?