PRAYER MINISTRIES

 

Praying and Fasting

What is a day of Praying and Fasting? Imagine you are a parent about to leave your children, knowing you will not see them again until the Kingdom of Heaven. What is the most important thing you could say to them?

Jesus had that dilemma as He prepared to return to heaven after His crucifixion. What was the burden of His last words to His disciples? As we read through His last prayers and counsel in John 15-17, we discover repeating themes: Unity, love, and seeking God through prayer. Jesus longed for His fledgling church to come together in purpose, harmony, and mission. Today, amid perhaps unprecedented polarization in the world, our nations, and our church, we too need to heed Jesus’ counsel to seek His Spirit and come together for mission. The task seems daunting and impossible in our humanity. That’s why we need to pray as never before for the miracle of reconciliation that only God can bring.

We invite you to pray “in your closet.” We invite you to pray with your local church family. And we invite you to the global Revival and Reformation initiative of prayer and fasting. Perhaps you will not choose to fast totally from food. Perhaps you will fast from desserts or social media, or eat sparingly of plant-based food for a time.

“Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide- awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Feb. 11, 1904).

As you choose to focus more deeply on prayer, God will bless you and strengthen your heart for the challenging days ahead.


KEY RESOURCES

For more information and resources check out the General Conference’s Materials. Click Here.

FAQ

FAQs

HOW SHOULD I FAST?

Start with a clear goal. Why are you fasting? Do you need guidance, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Avoid extremes; pray daily and read the Bible. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast.

WHAT SHOULD I FAST?

That is up to you. It may be a full fast in which you drink only liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel and want to eat vegetables. If nothing else, you can fast watching television or anything else which would be a sacrifice from your normal day to day activities. Remember to replace the time with prayer and Bible study.

ISN’T FASTING SUPPOSED TO BE PRIVATE?

Most of the fasts mentioned in the Bible were public fasts called by the priests, but Jesus gave us the model for private fasts in Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14, 15.

HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF TO FAST?

Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask for forgiveness from those who you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3, 4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to stop you (Romans 12:1, 2).

Prepare yourself physically. If it’s a food fast, consult your doctor prior to fasting and explain what you plan to do. This is especially important if you take prescription medications if you have a chronic ailment. Some people should never fast without professional supervision. While you fast, limit your activity and exercise only moderately. Take time to rest. Be ready for some physical discomforts especially early in the fast. Your body is detoxifying and you may be having withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. You may have headaches; hunger pains and even become irritable! Spend time listening to praise and worship, pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind seeking God’s face.

End your day slowly. Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid foods gradually and eat smaller portions or snacks until your body is re-accustomed to eating solid foods.

PRAYER MODEL: ACTS

ACTS

 
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Adoration: To praise and adore God for some aspect of His Character

  1. It sets the tone for the entire prayer

  2. It reminds us of who we are talking to and whose presence we are in.

  3. It reminds us of His identity and His inclinations.

  4. It purifies the one who is praying — your spirit is softened and your agenda changes

  5. God is worthy of adoration — so right from the beginning we offer praise

  6. Suggestions:
    a. use a speller divider or computer for daily praise words
    b. meditate on the specific characteristic
    c. journal it
    d. use scripture with that word in it

 
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Confession: Coming to God with particular sins and asking for forgiveness

  1. It is one of the most neglected areas of personal prayer.

  2. Of all of the feelings a person experiences, guilt is one of the worst.

  3. In most cases people who consider themselves spiritual over rate their goodness in the eyes of God.

  4. It is easy to use the words, “Lord forgive me all my sins” — it becomes the easy way out.


 

Thanksgiving: Thanking God for individual events and things that are happening to us

  1. Being able to thank Him even in the midst of bad things — Jonah 2:9

  2. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? — “In this life, pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.”

 
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Supplication: Another word for intercession and requests

  1. Break away from using the cliché word, Bless.

  2. Use a system — Take a fresh thought from your reading of the scripture and apply it to the person you are praying for.

  3. Organize the weekdays into special lists so you are not overwhelmed with long lists.