Prayer And Fasting Guide

When we are hungry, there is only one thing we think about: food. Regardless of what we are supposed to be focused on, our stomachs and minds work together to ensure we cannot get anything else done until we find some food.

a hunger that can only be satisfied through a relationship with the living God. When was the last time you felt that kind of hunger? A longing for God so deep that it is difficult to focus on anything else?

consider the words you are reading. What does this text reveal about God? What does it reveal about people?

In the Gospel of John, we read about an incredible story of Jesus feeding thousands of hungry people. The next day, the people approach Jesus looking for more bread to eat. His response?

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

JOHN 6:35 NLT

This is what fasting is all about. In fasting, we discipline ourselves to hunger for connection with God. First, we purposefully experience hunger by forgoing food, whether it be one meal or several days. Then, we satisfy that hunger not with food but by connecting with God through Scripture, reflection, and prayer. The first part is straightforward. We simply choose a time not to eat. The second part is a bit more challenging. What do we do when we’re hungry?

READ & REFLECT

This is no longer a conversation about physical hunger. Jesus was now addressing a hunger that goes far deeper; a hunger for love, hope, purpose, and wholeness; Open your Bible and read through one section of Scripture. Take your time to really

Take a moment to be still and reflect on what you just read, allowing space for God to speak to you. How does this truth apply to your life and relationships?

RECORD & RESPOND

cate with you in different ways. In this last step, it is your turn to respond. What do you have to say to God in light of what you have read and heard? Your response may be in the form of questions, praise, thanksgiving, or asking for help.

Write down any reflections, thoughts, questions, or responses from reading and reflecting on Scripture. We think differently when we write things down. You may be surprised by new insights as you put your thoughts to paper. You may not have realized it, but you have been actively praying in every previous step. By carefully reading Scripture, giving space for God to speak, and writing down your reflections, questions, and insights, you have been allowing God to communi-

Consider these steps a four-course meal during your fast. Take the time that you would eat a meal, and instead, connect with God through reading Scripture, reflecting on what God may be saying to you, journaling, and praying.

In this week of prayer and fasting, our church family will practice a type of prayer called intercession. In intercession, we pray for the needs and well-being of others. Each day, we will read Scripture focused on ways we can pray for other people. As we pray for others, we reject our tendency to pray self-serving prayers and instead choose to reflect God's generous and loving heart.

8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Everyone wants more of something. More money. More time in the day. More friends.

As the apostle Paul prayed for the church of Philippi, he prayed that they would have more— not more of what they wanted, but more of what God wanted for them. More love. More wisdom and understanding. More righteousness. Paul knew that these were the fruit of the thriving relationship with Jesus he desperately wanted for his friends. PHILIPPIANS 1:8 NLT

CONFIDENT HOPE

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Very few things in life are a sure thing. Regardless of how smart, strong, influential, or wealthy we are, there are some things we will never be able to control. If left to our own devices, this can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression as we try to hold everything together.

As the apostle Paul prayed for his friends in Ephesus, he prayed that they would look beyond their ability and resources and instead depend on God, who “has put all things under the authority of Christ.” Hope placed in Jesus is not blind hope, but confident hope that He truly holds all things together.

20“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

JOHN 17:20-24

This is the only text we will read this week where someone is praying for you. As Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, He prayed a lengthy prayer for those who would believe in Him through the message of His disciples (that’s us!). His primary concern for the church that would grow from this small group of disciples was unity. In fact, He stated it would be by the “perfect unity” of the church that the world would know the love of God. READ & REFLECT: TAKE A MOMENT TO BE STILL &

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ⁶ He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

If you were to list the people you normally pray for, who would make the list? Likely your family, Life Group, and close friends. Possibly your kids’ teachers, co-workers, and relatives.

In this personal letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul urges his friend to pray for “all people.”

That can’t be right. “All people” would include people I don’t know, don’t like, or don’t even agree with! It might even include… politicians. If our prayers are to reflect the heart of God, they cannot simply focus on people we know or like. They must include the people God knows and likes (which is everyone).

ENEMIES

27“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. 35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High,

for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Okay, so we’re supposed to pray for everyone because God cares about everyone. But certainly, that doesn’t include people who outright oppose us, who work against us, who even hurt us. In this text, Jesus encourages His disciples to pray for our enemies. This confusing teaching centers around the familiar command: “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” All of us have been an enemy to someone at some point. We have hurt people. We have made things more difficult than they needed to be. When we pray for our enemies, we practice humility, recognizing our selfish tendencies and turning from them. READ & REFLECT: TAKE A MOMENT TO BE STILL & REFLECT ON WHAT YOU JUST READ.

LUKE 6:27-36

HEALING & WHOLENESS

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

JAMES 5:13-16

words are systematic and to the point. How ever, just beneath the surface is a beautiful message about wholeness in Jesus. It is worth noting here that in the letters of the New Testament, the word for “sick” is used just as often to mean physical or spiritual weakness.

James is intermixing the ideas of healing, forgiveness, and salvation, reminding his readers that healing happens when believers pray for one another. Not simply physical healing but relational and spiritual healing as well. READ & REFLECT: TAKE A MOMENT TO BE STILL & REFLECT ON WHAT YOU JUST READ.

HEALING & WHOLENESS, JAMES 5:13-16