21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

My church, Church of the Highlands, begins every year with 21 days of prayer and fasting beginning with the first Sunday of the year. As Pastor Chris explained, when the Lord was leading Him to start the church almost 14 years ago, it started with him fasting and praying about it for the FIRST 21 days of the year. My church feels so strongly about tithing and not just the money but it's about giving God the FIRST of everything. It shows priority. It's not so much about the amounts but showing God where He is in your heart. And every year since the church began, they have continued this "tradition" (for lack of a better word) and every year God has grown the church exponentially. Not only that but our resources always seem to multiply. He firmly believes, as do I, it's a direct result of the priority we corporately and collectively place on the importance of God. I have only been a member of Church of the Highlands since about 2009 and then shortly thereafter, I went through my divorce and my life was kinda topsy-turvy for awhile. So this will be my first year to fully participate and to say I am excited about it is an understatement!

Coming off the Fall semester of LIFE and the LIFE retreat, I am more on fire for God than I ever have been in my life. You can read in previous blogs about how I'd always felt like I was holding a part of myself back from God because I didn't want certain things to change. I didn't trust Him completely. Well, December 14, 2013, I went ALL IN. And I now know what real joy is. It isn't the absence of problems, it's the peace in the presence of them. At the retreat, I was prayed over many times individually and anointed with oil repeatedly. And I asked to receive all that He has for me. I fully expect to get clarity and direction from God in so many areas of my life but also to join my brothers and sisters in Christ in believing Him for abundance in reaching the lost and helping the hurting. Every time I hear a new testimony, I am blown away by the power of God.

Fasting is not a trend or a fad but a powerful way to access God in an intimate and authentic relationship, receive answers to prayers and gain a fresh touch from our Heavenly Father (Susan Gregory, The Daniel Fast) It's about consecrating, or setting apart a time specifically for the purpose of hearing from and growing closer to God. When you weaken the body and soul, you strengthen the spirit. How cool is that?

Now, I used to think that fasting just meant "giving up something" in a way to identify with the sacrifice of Christ. That's a good idea. But true fasting is always about food. The definition of a biblical fast is "to restrict food for a spiritual purpose". The Hebrew word for fast is tsowm which means "to cover the mouth" and the Greek word for fast is nesteuo, which means "to abstain from food". Whenever fasts are mentioned in the Bible, they are accompanied with a spiritual issue. Therefore, giving up television or social media for a period of time might be a good decision, it is not a fast. (Susan Gregory, The Daniel Fast)

There are three types of fasts mentioned in the Bible:

1) an absolute fast--practiced by Moses (Exodus 34:28) where he ate nothing and drank nothing for 40 days and nights. Rarely is this practiced for a long period of time because of physical and long-term complications.

2) a normal fast--where one drinks water or light juices only. This was practiced by both Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) and Jesus (Matthew 4)

3) a partial fast--when some foods are consumed but others  are restricted which is what was done by Daniel and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4)
(Susan Gregory, The Daniel Fast)

I am doing the Daniel Fast but I am doing a modified version. I am giving up meat, dairy and all animal by-products, leavened breads and all drinks except water. But the Daniel Fast as strictly interpreted by Gregory, also calls for no processed foods or chemicals. I can't realistically be successful with this. I have prayed about this and talked about it with a good Christian friend and we agree--God knows my heart. I will read labels and do my best but with limited time and income to purchase some of the items in her recipes, I'm just going to be eating a lot of salad, potatoes, brown rice and flatbread! I'm still giving up a lot of FOOD!

My pastor also gave the following outline for doing a fast:

1. Set an objective. 

          a. Declare dependence on God
          b. Ask for forgiveness
          c. Refocus on the eternal
          d. Invite the presence of God in our lives
          e. Believe God to answer specific needs.

     2.  Decide what type of fast you will do.
     3.  Expect results
          Isaiah 58:8-9
       
         Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your holiness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

We also have a corporate prayer focus by day:

Sunday - Our Hearts
(2 Chronicles 16:9) For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the
earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Make worship and prayer the priority of your life. Declare your complete dependence on God. Ask for a renewed passion for His presence and fresh revelation of His Word.

Monday - Our Purpose
(Colossians 1:28-29) We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. 

Our purpose is the Great Commission. Pray for people to be saved, connected in a local church, discipled, and fulfilled in their ministry.

Tuesday - Our Nation, State, and City
(1 Timothy 2:1-2) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Pray for America and the leaders of our country. Pray for Alabama and the cities of Birmingham, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery. Pray for the Governor, the state legislature, courts, mayors and other city
officials, schools, police departments, and churches.

Wednesday - Our Points of Passion
(Matthew 9:37-38) The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask
the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Pray for our local missions efforts (Dream Center and prisons), national church planting (ARC), and our international missions efforts.

Thursday - Our Family
(Acts 16:31) Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.

Pray for God's blessing on your family (spouse, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.)

Friday - Our Needs
(Philippians 4:6-7) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Believe God for answered prayer to your specific needs (finances,relationships, health, family members to be saved and other personal needs.)

Saturday - Our Church
(Ephesians 3:20-21) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Pray for Church of the Highlands and the ministry that will take place this year. Pray for Pastor Chris and his family, along with the other staff members, small group leaders, and those on the Dream Team.

We have services every weekday morning at 6 a.m. and Saturday morning at 9 a.m. (also streamed live online but I'm going to make every effort to actually get up and go!)

As for my specific needs, I am believing that God will show me:

1) in which direction I should steer my heart with regard to dating/relationships. Should I continue to hope for reconciliation? Or should I open my heart to receive a new, Christian mate, if that is what God has for me? Or do I need to continue to wait on this issue?

2) in which direction I should steer my body for healing in my knees. Should I continue with traditional western medicine? Or seek the help of a chiropractor or acupuncturist? If I stick with western medicine, do I continue with shots or give into surgery? But I do believe it's His plan to heal them so I can lose more weight and be healthy enough to serve Him in radical ways (yes, I'm starting to feel a calling coming on)

3) in which direction I should steer myself with regards to my job. I'm committed to being here until the end of February at least because first, I don't want to make any major decisions or changes during the fast and second, I want to get at least six months of this "temporary assignment" for purposes of longevity in a court proceeding. But after that, do I continue here because it's relatively low stress and provides time for me to work on study or do I start to pursue other opportunities and if so, which ones?

4) how to become a more disciplined tither and to gain better control over my finances. For the first time in a long time I've moved from "struggling, living paycheck to paycheck" to "survival, living month to month" and that feels good but not good enough. I am attending the Financial Freedom conference at church Saturday and have been promised to come away with a written plan of action that is doable. So that's a start!

Those are the main things. It's important to note that a fast doesn't change God's mind about something. I used to think that was the case--people fasted in order to get something from God. But it's about aligning our spirit with His Holy Spirit. And I would covet your prayers to see that this happens.

Be blessed!