21 Days of Fasting & Prayer
February 9th to March 1st
What is Fasting?
Fasting is a time for us to reprioritize our life by removing things that can distract us from God, and refocussing Him as the center of our lives. By removing food or actions from our life for a period, we are taking command of our bodies by not letting wants, desires, and cravings guide us, but are instead specifically looking for and inviting the guidance of the Word of God and His Spirit. In fasting, we pray beyond convenience, and choose to anchor ourselves into what we cannot see.
Why are we fasting communally?
Throughout scripture we see what happens when a community comes together to fast and pray. Guidance, protection, and breakthrough happen when God’s Church comes to Him with a heart of surrender and humility.
We at Arise are choosing not to ignore the cycles our church has seen or leave room for the enemy to sow discouragement in this body. Instead, we are calling the congregation to earnestly pursue a kingdom culture that embraces higher standards for our leadership and empowers everyone (the body). This is an opportunity for you to take ownership of the spiritual and emotional culture of our church - what you pray and declare over this church is powerful.
We want to use this time to humble ourselves and pray; acknowledging that we can do nothing without God’s continued grace and guidance.
We ask that God would break off any evil assignments or claims, and uproot anything that would continue to bear bad fruit. We invite His just pruning.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5
We humbly ask God to keep our leadership and congregation above reproach, now and in the future.
We seek to be a blessing to the community and to continue advancing the kingdom of God into our families, schools, city, and beyond; on earth as it is in heaven.
Click the button for a PDF copy of our fasting and prayer guide!
Scripture on Fasting
For God’s will in the Nation:
II Chronicles 7:14 “… if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Daniel 9:3-4 “Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments…”
Daniel 10:3 “I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Joel 2:12-13 “Now, therefore”, says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of a great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.”
For Direction:
Acts 13: 2-4 “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barbabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” “Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
For Protection and Wisdom:
Esther 4:16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me: neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
For Consecration and Commitment to God’s Will:
Acts 14:23 “So when they appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
For Breakthrough:
Isaiah 58: 6–8 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say, “Here I Am”.
Types of Fasting
We encourage you to consider these fasting options, and pick one or a combination based on where you feel led and with your personal health in mind. Every time you crave what you are fasting from, you use that as a call to prayer.
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Daniel Fast
The guidelines for the fast are derived from Daniel 1:8-14, where Daniel chose to abstain from rich and luxurious foods and only ate vegetables and drank only water. The idea is to focus on simple, plant-based foods and eliminate certain indulgences from the diet.
Spirit or Soul Fast
Fasting from things in your life like Social Media, Video Games, Hobbies, or even negativity or gossip. Making a conscious choice to pray and read the word in place of other activities. This is a great way for those with dietary or medical restrictions to still fast safely. It still denies the body something it desires and leaves room to meet with God in it’s place.
Partial Fast
A partial fast is from sun up to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.
Full Fast
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN
Liquids only, and usually for a short amount of time. Not recommended for people new to fasting, and especially those with dietary or heath concerns. This type of fast is usually paired with other categories of fasts listed above. For full fasts longer than 3 days, we recommend talking with your doctor. You may also want to do full fasts with a partner for both accountability and safety check-ins.